Packers’ Jordan Love Gets Honest on Rivalry With Bears, C...

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

The Green Bay Packers meet the surging Chicago Bears for the first time this season, and the stakes seem pretty high. As of this writing, the Bears are the surprising leaders not only of the NFC North but also of the NFC. However, things can change quickly in just a matter of games.

Jordan Love and company are looking to make a statement with their next game at Lambeau Stadium, as they attempt to take down their division rivals and ultimately gain control of the division. The Packers are 8-3-1, so a victory over the 9-3 Bears would be massive, as it'd change things up in the NFL playoff picture.

Read more: Analyst Delivers Bold Message on Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Before Lions Game

It's the first of two games pitting star quarterbacks Love and Caleb Williams against one another. Ahead of the massive matchup, Love commented on the significance of a potential rivalry between him and the Bears quarterback.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love against Chicago Bears

...

“I think all that stuff plays a part in it and makes it an even cooler game. The rivalry’s already there, and then obviously you know Caleb is doing some good things this season and trending up. I think that aspect kind of plays another little part, like you said. Everybody wants to see the quarterback matchup,” Love told reporters.

He mentioned it’s “just another game” for Green Bay, but he enjoyed “seeing some of the cool things” Caleb has done in games this season.

He called the upcoming NFC North matchup a “big game” for the Packers, given the Bears’ position atop the division and as the No. 1 team in the NFC.

“It’ll be a great game and obviously a game we gotta go out there and handle business,” he said.

The Packers handled business on Thanksgiving Day, defeating the Detroit Lions at Ford Field before feasting on turkey. On Black Friday, the Chicago Bears surprised many people by going into Philadelphia and beating the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.

After starting the season 0-2, this Bears team has won five games in a row and nine of their last 10. Many credit first-year head coach Ben Johnson for creating a unique offense and getting his players, including Williams, to buy into the system.

Meanwhile, the Packers entered the season with expectations of winning the NFC North and being among the league's top contenders for a trip to the Super Bowl. They still could be just that, depending on how they close out their season.

As of this report, the odds favor Green Bay to win by a touchdown over the Bears at multiple sportsbooks, underscoring the home-field advantage. It may also reveal that, much like the odds against the Eagles, many people continue to doubt the Bears' chances against top-tier opponents.

The two teams split their two meetings last season, with Green Bay beating Chicago 20-19 at Soldier Field and the Bears winning 24-22 at Lambeau. In the loss, Williams threw for 231 yards but no touchdowns and was sacked three times.

Meanwhile, Love threw for 261 yards and a touchdown, and also ran in the go-ahead TD for the win. The Bears won just five games all season and missed the playoffs, while Green Bay went on to lose to the Eagles in an NFC Wild Card game.

The potential Packers' Love versus Bears' Williams rivalry has two huge games left before these two teams end their seasons, with both hoping to make the playoffs. Nearly two weeks after they play at Lambeau, Chicago hosts Green Bay on Saturday, Dec. 20, in a night game on Fox.

Read more: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Draws Surprising Take From Super Bowl Winner

For more about the Chicago Bears and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.

Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines