Bears search for 1st playoff win in 15 years vs. rival Packers

Published: Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:59 am

Bears and Packers Clash in Playoff Showdown

The Chicago Bears are set to host the Green Bay Packers in a highly anticipated wild-card round matchup this Saturday night. This marks the third meeting between the NFC North rivals in just six weeks, with the Bears, seeded second in the NFC, looking to secure their first playoff victory in 15 years. The Packers, seeded seventh, are hoping a strategy of resting key starters in their final regular-season game will pay off.

The Bears, under first-year coach Ben Johnson, are making their first playoff appearance since 2020. Their last playoff win dates back to 2010, when they eventually lost to Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. The teams split their regular-season series, with Green Bay winning the first game at home and Chicago taking the second in overtime after overcoming a late deficit.

Chicago's offense is led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Bears' running game features D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who have combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards. Wide receiver Rome Odunze is expected to return from a foot injury. However, the team is dealing with injuries to key defensive players.

Green Bay's quarterback Jordan Love, who has been sidelined with a concussion, is set to start. The Packers' offense will rely on Love's strong performance this season, where he has achieved a passer rating above 100. Running back Josh Jacobs leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns. The Packers' defense has been impacted by injuries, including the loss of edge rusher Micah Parsons.

BNN's Perspective: This matchup promises to be a compelling contest between two storied rivals. While the Bears have home-field advantage and a strong turnover differential, the Packers' playoff experience and the return of key players could make them a formidable opponent. The outcome is difficult to predict, but fans can expect a hard-fought battle.

Keywords: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round, Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Ben Johnson, Matt LaFleur, NFC North, Football, Playoff Game, D'Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, Josh Jacobs, Micah Parsons, Injuries, Turnover Differential, Overtime, Regular Season, Touchdowns

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