The Chicago Bears have not won a playoff game since the 2010 season. On Saturday, they will attempt to end that drought against the Green Bay Packers.
As the exchange of words between those connected to the two storied rivals intensifies, a Bears legend responded to remarks made by a Packers Hall of Famer, describing Green Bay as “lackluster.”
Why Did Bears Legend Call Packers ‘Overconfident’?
During the Bears’ barren run over the past 14 seasons, the Green Bay Packers have dominated the historic rivalry. It is perhaps fitting, therefore, that it is the Packers who stand between Chicago and an end to the wait for postseason success. Having won the NFC North for the first time since 2018 and finished the regular season as the second seed, the Bears can afford to be confident of defeating seventh-seeded Green Bay, especially after their dramatic 22-16 overtime win over the Packers in Week 16.
That victory, however, was followed by consecutive losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions to close the season.
Speaking on “Up and Adams,” Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler labeled the Bears a tired team, declaring they have no answer for Packers receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Later on the same show, a former Bears running back responded with similarly pointed claims about the Packers.
Asked about Butler’s remarks, Forte said: “I think the Packers are lackluster. I think they are a little overconfident in who they are. I think they are a little overconfident in the fact that they’re relying on the past to be a predictor of the future.
“Every game is a new game, every opportunity is new. They’re resting on some of the previous notions of who he thinks the Packers are, and I think that, come Saturday, they’re gonna find out.”
History is certainly on Green Bay’s side. Before the Bears won two of the last three matchups, the Packers had won 11 straight against Chicago dating back to 2019. Green Bay also won the only playoff meeting between the two teams in the Super Bowl era, prevailing in the NFC Championship Game during the 2010 season.
However, the two teams have been far more evenly matched this campaign, with both regular-season meetings decided by one score.
They are also in similar positions in PFSN’s Impact Metrics. The Packers rank seventh offensively, three spots ahead of the Bears, and defensively, Green Bay ranks 17th, while Chicago sits 22nd.
As the Bears look to banish the demons of previous gut punches at the hands of the Packers, it is the parity between two of the NFL’s most historic franchises that makes Saturday’s matchup so compelling.
