A Historic Matchup in the 2026 Wild Card
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, two of the NFL’s oldest rivals, will face off for the third time in six weeks, this time in a Wild Card matchup. With a combined 211 seasons between the franchises, these teams will play each other for a record 213rd time in the NFL. However, this will only be their third playoff encounter since the Bears, second seeds in the NFC, host the seventh-seeded Packers.
A Brief History of Their Playoff Encounters
The Bears and Packers have only met twice in the playoffs, with one of those encounters taking place in 1941. In their journey to the 1941 NFL Championship, the Bears defeated the Packers 33-14 in the Divisional Round. In 2010, the Packers overcame the Bears 21-14 in the NFC Championship game, paving their way to Super Bowl XLV victory.
The Significance of the Upcoming Wildcard Matchup
This upcoming wildcard game holds great importance due to the longstanding rivalry between these two NFL teams. The league has scheduled this prime-time matchup, given their status as the NFL’s most historically contentious rivalry. The teams faced each other earlier this season as well. In week 14, the Bears had a chance to score a touchdown in the final minute of a game that the Packers led 28-21. However, on fourth down, Caleb Williams threw to the endzone; Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon intercepted the ball with just 22 seconds remaining, and Green Bay held on to win.
Caleb Williams: The Rookie Quarterback Leading the Charge
The Bears’ quarterback, Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will make his playoff debut alongside fellow rookie first-round picks Bryce Young (2023) and Drake Maye (2024). Williams has shown improvement and shone in crucial moments during his first season under head coach Johnson, playing a pivotal role in securing the Bears’ first playoff appearance since 2020 and their first NFC North title since 2018.
Williams aims to become the first Bears quarterback since Jim Harbaugh in 1991 to defeat the Packers twice in a single season.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Bears and Packers, and why is their rivalry significant? The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are two of the oldest and most storied franchises in the NFL. Their rivalry, known as the “NFL’s Greatest Rivalry,” dates back to 1921 and has produced numerous memorable moments, including intense playoff encounters.
- What are the Bears’ recent achievements under Caleb Williams? Under the guidance of head coach Johnson, Caleb Williams led the Bears to their first playoff appearance since 2020 and secured the NFC North title for the first time since 2018.
- What are Caleb Williams’ goals for the upcoming wildcard matchup against the Packers? Williams aims to become the first Bears quarterback since Jim Harbaugh in 1991 to defeat the Packers twice in a single season.
