One major problem with the current narrative surrounding the Packers/Bears rivalry
The Green Bay Packers are at the dawn of a new era. After trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the football world expects a serious decline with Jordan Love under center, and understandably so. But that doesn’t mean the tides have turned in Green Bay’s rivalry with the Chicago Bears, right? The Packers […]
The Green Bay Packers are at the dawn of a new era. After trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the football world expects a serious decline with Jordan Love under center, and understandably so.
But that doesn’t mean the tides have turned in Green Bay’s rivalry with the Chicago Bears, right?
The Packers have absolutely dominated, or as Rodgers would put it, owned the Bears over the last decade. After all, Green Bay has won 23 of the past 26 meetings with Chicago, including an NFC Championship Game in showdown in 2011.
No matter what trials and tribulations the Packers have faced, they always find a way to rub the Bears’ faces in the mud. But perhaps the assumption of dominance was shipped out of the door along with Rodgers, at least that’s how sportsbooks are viewing it.
There is no better way to start the regular season than by writing another chapter in this historic rivalry. But it’s Chicago who is favored to win the Week 1 matchup, according to BetMGM. The Bears currently sit as 2.5-point favorites.
It’s important to note that the month of May isn’t even halfway complete, but it’s certainly intriguing. Part of the reason Green Bay’s offseason hasn’t been flashy was because general manager Brian Gutekunst was working through the ins and outs of the Rodgers trade. Now that it is complete, the Packers have nearly $17 million in salary cap space to strengthen its roster.
A lot can change between now and Sunday, Sept. 10, but the two teams are on opposite trajectories. Sure, Green Bay has established a winning tradition that Chicago can only dream of building, but the Packers are vulnerable at the moment.
There aren’t tall buildings and bright lights in Las Vegas for no reason. The folks down in the desert are typically on the money when it comes to this sort of thing. But respect is earned, not given. And the Bears haven't really done anything to earn much respect of late. Even the most die-hard Bears fans shouldn't feel comfortable laying nearly a field goal to the team who has spent three decades demoralizing their favorite franchise.
