Where to Watch Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers: Playoff Stakes and Viewing Guide

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are set for a high-stakes showdown, and fans across the English-speaking world are asking: “Where can I watch the Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers game?” This isn’t just another game in the NFL’s oldest rivalry; it’s a game with significant playoff implications for both teams. For Bears fans, a win against their rivals could mean a coveted wild card berth. For the Packers, victory solidifies their position as the NFC’s top seed, granting them a first-round bye. Here’s everything you need to know about this pivotal matchup and, most importantly, how to watch it.

Playoff Scenarios and Game Significance

The air is thick with tension as both teams prepare to face off. The Chicago Bears’ path to the playoffs is clear: beat the Green Bay Packers, or hope for an Arizona Cardinals loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Both crucial games are scheduled to kick off at 3:25 p.m. Central Time (CT). After a rollercoaster season, including a disheartening six-game losing streak, the Bears have fought their way back into contention and are on the cusp of a playoff appearance. Historically, only two teams since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger have managed to reach the playoffs after such a slump, highlighting the Bears’ resilience.

For the Green Bay Packers, the stakes are equally high. Having already secured the NFC North title, they are now vying for the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC. To guarantee this top spot and the first-round bye that comes with it, the Packers need to win against the Bears or see the Seattle Seahawks lose to the San Francisco 49ers. This eliminates any possibility of the Packers resting key players like quarterback Aaron Rodgers, ensuring a full-throttle contest.

The Bears can clinch the No. 7 seed with a win or a Cardinals loss. An even more favorable No. 6 seed is within reach, but only if they win and the Rams defeat the Cardinals. Coach Matt Nagy emphasizes the team’s singular focus: “We’ve got to worry about us, and we’ve got to do everything we can to win this game.” This focus means blocking out distractions, including scoreboard updates from the Rams-Cardinals game, to maintain complete concentration on their own performance.

A Rivalry Reignited: Can the Bears Overcome History?

The Green Bay Packers have dominated this historic rivalry in recent years, winning 18 of the last 21 encounters since 2010. This includes a strong home-field advantage at Soldier Field, where they’ve won nine of the last ten matchups. For the Bears to secure a playoff spot against such a dominant rival would be a monumental way to start the new year and rewrite recent history.

Memories of 2018 offer a glimmer of hope for Bears fans. In Week 15 of that season, the Bears faced a similar situation: a chance to clinch a playoff berth against Green Bay. They rose to the occasion, securing the NFC North title with a 24-17 victory at Soldier Field. In that game, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw two touchdown passes, and the Bears defense sacked Rodgers five times.

However, replicating that performance will be a significant challenge against the current Packers team. Green Bay is on a five-game winning streak, averaging a commanding 14.2-point margin of victory. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, scoring at least 30 points in five of their last six games, and they are remarkably disciplined, with only one turnover in their last five contests.

Safety Eddie Jackson encapsulates the high-stakes mentality: “From the start to the finish, there’s no slowing down. There’s no excuses. It’s none of that. It’s win or go home. It’s been like that for the last, what, four weeks for us? So we know what’s at stake for us. We’ve got a lot to lose and a lot to gain as well. So you’ve got to go out there and lay it on the line.”

Containing Aaron Rodgers: A Defensive Key

A major factor in the game’s outcome will be the Bears defense’s ability to contain Aaron Rodgers. Despite his veteran status, Rodgers is playing at an MVP level. He leads the NFL with 44 touchdown passes and boasts a 119.4 passer rating. During the Packers’ current five-game win streak, he has thrown 15 touchdowns with only one interception.

Bears outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino acknowledges Rodgers’ exceptional talent: “He’s a master of their system, No. 1. No. 2, he’s extremely talented. No. 3, he’s got rare football IQ and feel for their passing game. And I think that their staff there does a great job of giving him enough freedom down-to-down to get them out of a good play and into a better play. He’s playing really, really well. I haven’t seen Patrick Mahomes on tape, but I know this guy’s playing as good as any quarterback that I’ve ever seen.”

Rodgers’ historical dominance against the Bears is undeniable. He has won 17 of his last 19 starts against them, throwing 30 touchdowns and just two interceptions in his last 12 games versus Chicago.

The Bears defense will aim to replicate their past successes in generating pressure on Rodgers at Soldier Field. They achieved five sacks in each of his last two appearances there – the 2018 division-clinching win and the 2019 season opener. However, in their first matchup this season, Rodgers had a clean pocket, throwing four touchdown passes in a dominant Packers victory.

Bears Offense: Can the Resurgence Continue?

The Bears offense has undergone a dramatic transformation recently. They are the only NFL team to have scored at least 30 points in their last four games, a scoring streak they haven’t achieved since 1965. The return of Mitchell Trubisky as starting quarterback and adjustments to the offensive line during their bye week have sparked this turnaround. In the last five games, they’ve scored 19 touchdowns, averaging 33.0 points and 387.4 yards per game. This is a stark contrast to their previous seven games, where they averaged just 16.7 points and 272.1 yards.

Trubisky’s performance has been key to this offensive surge. He has completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 1,243 yards with 10 touchdowns and a 99.3 passer rating in his five starts since regaining the position. Passing game coordinator Dave Ragone praises Trubisky’s resilience: “With everything that has transpired, he has been through a lot. He has shown resiliency. He has shown a no-quit, a fight that I think a lot of us who are close to him know that he has.”

Running back David Montgomery’s improved performance has also been crucial. In the last five games, he has rushed for 529 yards and six touchdowns, more than doubling his production from the first nine games. Running backs coach Charles London highlights the improved chemistry: “It’s trust between the offensive line and David, and David and the offensive line. Having the same starting five for a couple weeks, I really think that’s helped. They get a feel for how he runs. He gets a feel for how they block certain plays. We’ve got a consistent five and they’re really starting to feed off each other.”