Rodgers’ Last “Home Away From Home” Game?
Bears quarterback Justin Fields (left) and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Photo credit: AP Photos
The Bears and Packers will play each other on Sunday for the 206th time in the two franchises' history, the most between two teams in the NFL. Many call it the biggest rivalry in football, and maybe even in sports. However, over the last 10-plus years, there has been no rivalry. Just a slaughter.
Since 2010, the Packers are 22-4 against the Bears with 10 playoff appearances compared to the Bears' three appearances. It is well known by now that Aaron Rodgers is the owner of the Chicago franchise after his post-touchdown celebration outburst last year at Solider Field. A Bears win on Sunday does little to change that, but in what could be Rodgers’ last game there, it would leave a sour taste in his mouth.
Both teams come into this game on the cusp of being mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but nonetheless, history is still on the line. The Bears and Packers are tied for most wins for a franchise in the NFL at 786, and the winner of the game will take the lead at 787. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for the Bears.
It remains up in the air as to who will be playing quarterback for both teams Sunday, though it appears both Justin Fields and Rodgers will be able to go. It would make sense for Rodgers to want one last shot to get a win in one of his “favorite places to play”.
For the Bears, a nightmare scenario would be for Jordan Love to play or come into the game and lead Green Bay to a win. Giving up 50 points to Rodgers almost sounds more palatable. Regardless, the best chance for the Bears to win would be for Fields to play and do his thing. But even that has proven to be not enough for the Bears to win games this year.
There is no reason to believe that the momentum has shifted toward Chicago between these two teams. With all the storylines of most wins and Rodgers’ possible last game, it seems obvious for Green Bay to pull off the win no matter what Chicago does.
All in all, it would benefit the Bears to stay on track for draft positioning and just start Nathan Peterman (Trevor Siemian has been ruled out) and let Fields rest especially with the bye-week coming up. Unless of course, Fields is completely healthy, then he should play. Making it that much more unbearable for the Bears faithful if Rodgers has another game-clinching play followed by another snappy remark and beating the Bears’ golden child all in one.
A betting person can see the momentum shifting soon though with Fields emerging as one of the game’s most explosive players, and the Bears having so many resources to use in the coming years.
Rodgers is on his way out, and Love has not shown enough to warrant him the third Hall of Fame quarterback in a row for Green Bay.
It would surprise no one if Fields had another stat-stuffing performance, and the Bears come away with a win. That potential momentum shift could blow in early on the lakefront and propel the Bears into an exciting offseason.
For the first time in what seems like 100 years, the Bears believe they have the better quarterback between the two teams. Until Love plays more, it remains unanswered.
But right now, it’s still Rodgers and the Packers, and Soldier Field is still his until he calls it quits.
