Jordan Love remembers taking it all in during the national anthem when Green Bay played Chicago last year.
That game, which was the season opener, marked the start of a new chapter for the Packers. Love showed he could be ready to follow in the footsteps of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers by leading Green Bay to another win over the Bears.
This time, the situation is different.
The Packers (6-3) are looking to stay in the race for the NFC North title, while also continuing their strong performance in this historic rivalry. The Bears (4-5), on the other hand, are trying to stop a losing streak that has cost their offensive coordinator his job.
“With this rivalry we know what this game’s all about and we take pride in that,” Love said.
The Packers have had a strong hold over the Bears, winning 10 games in a row and 25 of the last 28 matchups, including the NFC championship game at the end of the 2010 season. This current streak is the longest for either team in the rivalry, matching Green Bay’s run from 1994 to 1998.
While the Packers want to extend their winning streak, they are also focused on catching up to division leaders Detroit (8-1) and Minnesota (7-2). Green Bay had a bye last week after a loss to the Lions that ended a four-game winning streak.
The Bears, who are currently in last place, have lost three straight games after winning three in a row before their bye. Their offense has struggled, failing to score a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 2004.
After a tough 19-3 loss to New England, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday, making it the second time in 10 months the team has made a change at the position. They replaced Waldron with passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, who now has the important job of helping No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams improve.
The Bears’ schedule is getting tougher, with six of their remaining eight games against division opponents.
“It’s frustrating, especially when we know what we can be,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “I think this week with Thomas at the head of the offense here maybe provides a little bit of a reset and a fresh perspective.”
