Packers extend win streak in Bears rivalry

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears had their 209^th matchup since 1921 on Nov. 17 at Soldier Field in Chicago, with the Packers coming out on top 20-19 after blocking a Bears field goal attempt on the final play of the game.

Leading up to the game, the Packers had won 10 in a row versus the Bears.

Neither team had achieved a winning streak over 10 games during the more than century-old rivalry.

The two teams have faced each other every season since 1921 — with the exception of 1922, when the two were not scheduled to play, and 1982 when both scheduled meetings were canceled due to the NFLPA strike.

Packers Quarterback Jordan Love said that the team was prepared for a tough battle.

 “We talked about it all week. We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game, a four-quarter battle and I am proud of the guys. Nobody batted an eye; nobody flinched,” Love said.

“It wasn’t by any means a perfect game or our best game. We left a lot out there and there’s a lot of stuff to clean up, but I’m just proud of the way we were down that four-quarter and guys continued to fight and compete and nobody flinched. I think the mindset we had coming into this game was that it was going to be a four-quarter battle and it came down to the last play. I’m proud of the way the guys fought and managed to get that win.

“They are very good in the red zone on third down; we knew that coming into the game and obviously in the red zone you want to put up more points, you want to finish the drive for touchdowns. Obviously, the interception getting in the red zone did not help us.”

During the game, Christian Watson recorded a career-high 150 yards receiving on four difficult catches, including catches of 48 and 60 yards, respectively.

“I think it was a focus for us coming in this week — to try and keep getting him the ball, to get him some touches. Definitely a guy that we feel like can keep trying to getting him the ball and give him some of those ops down the field. Obviously, when we do, he had a really big catch — contested catch — and he went up and made a play. I think it was a big time day for him. I think it was four targets, four catches. So, he made the most of the ops when they came his way,” Love said.

 “Christian Watson, I can’t say enough about him. Obviously, not everything has gone his way this year, but he is a resilient dude. He shows up for work every day with the right mentality, great work ethic,” Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “You have to maximize opportunities when they come, and he certainly did that.”

The winning streak began with Matt LaFleur’s first game as head coach, when the Packers beat the Bears in Chicago 10-3 on Sept. 5, 2019.

 “Anytime we play the Bears we want to get that win and we want to keep that winning streak going. Obviously, ending the game on that final play and to come up huge with that field goal block, it is special,” Love added.

The last time the Packers blocked an opponent’s field goal attempt was Oct. 29, 2023, versus the Minnesota Vikings, when Karl Brooks batted down a 44-yard attempt by Greg Joseph.