The Chicago Bears sit atop the NFC on a five-game winning streak, winning nine of 10 games before their most recent meeting with the Green Bay Packers. They trailed when Caleb Williams was intercepted in the end zone.
Chicago and Green Bay will meet for the second time in three weeks, this time Saturday night at Soldier Field, with the battle for first place in the NFC North looming and Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons out with a season-ending knee injury. Both teams have a chance to clinch a playoff berth.
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“It’s another game,” Williams said. “Go out and do my job and play the game. Start fast, get energy into the team and we’ll have a chance to win the game.”
After the Bears’ 31-3 win over Cleveland last week, Williams made it clear he was looking forward to a rematch with the Packers. It’s not hard to see why.
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The atmosphere was electric as the Bears faced off against the Packers in a tight showdown at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
“It’s a crazy atmosphere right now and we’re going to go all the way this year,” Bears fan Steve Gonzalez said. “Have a nice trip, baby bear.”
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Bears fans packed tailgates all day, anxious to get revenge on the Packers after losing a heartbreaking game two weeks ago.
“I’m sorry Green Bay, but your time is over,” said a Bears fan named John. “You had a good run, a really good run, but it’s all over.”
Some fans even experienced their first game at Soldier Field.
“I’m excited because I love the Bears,” Bears fan Kellen Montgomery said. “Watching them on TV, but I’m just happy to be here.”
As the Bears make a push for the playoffs, many fans are also excited about the team’s latest announcement to consider Northwest Indiana as the Bears’ future home. Fans of both teams have made their case to team owners and elected officials to keep the Bears in Chicago.
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“It’s not going anywhere. It’s here to stay,” said a Bears fan named John. “Come to my tailgate. We need the governor and the mayor, they need to come to our tailgate and realize that bears belong on the lake.”
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“No, it has to stay in Chicago,” said a fan named Mike. “Soldier Field is iconic, just like Lambeau.”
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
The Bears (10-4) threatened to tie or take the lead before falling 28-21 at Lambeau Field when Williams was intercepted in the end zone by Keisean Nixon on a severely underestimated pass to Cole Kmet with 22 seconds left. The loss dropped Chicago from first to seventh in the NFC and second in the division behind Green Bay.
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Chicago rebounded sharply against Cleveland and regained the North lead in the Packers’ loss to Denver. To make matters worse for Green Bay (9-4-1), Parsons tore his left ACL in the third quarter, a huge blow to a team that entered the season with Super Bowl hopes after acquiring the two-time All-Pro from Dallas before the opener.
“Just understanding what’s in front of us, understanding we still have the pen in our hand,” Packers defensive end Rashan Gary said. “We can still write our stories.”
With or without Parsons, Bears head coach Ben Johnson sees it as a tall order.
“This is a very good team and the defense is very good,” he said. “I know you’re going to lock in one player because he’s really going to draw a lot of attention to you when you’re going against the defense, however, they have some quality players on the defensive line, in the linebacker core and in the back end. Just because one player goes down, doesn’t mean it’s going to change a lot for them.”
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playoff scenario
Chicago and Green Bay only need one win plus one loss, or a tie between Detroit and Pittsburgh to clinch a playoff spot. If the Lions lose, the two teams will also be tied.
Green Bay is looking to make the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years under Matt LaFleur, while Chicago is trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2020. The Bears have made the playoffs just three times since the 2006 Super Bowl season.
One-sided competition
While the Bears have a chance to extend their division lead, wins over the Packers are rare for them.
Green Bay has dominated the NFL’s oldest rivalry since the start of the 2008 season, going 30-6 against Chicago. That included the team’s NFC Championship Game win at Soldier Field in 2010, which culminated in the Super Bowl.
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The Packers had won 11 straight games against the Bears before losing in last year’s final at Lambeau Field. Green Bay has won six straight games in Chicago.
home run
The Bears have won five straight games at Soldier Field since an early-season loss to Minnesota. This is their best home winning streak since 2005.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
