Packers-Bears Rivalry Discussion Turns Midwest Therapy Session 

You may agree. The Packers–Bears rivalry doesn’t just live on the field. It spills through relationships with family and friends, in our communities, and occasionally into some glasses to possibly drown out a loss. 

Sports Illustrated Packers reporter Jacob Westendorf joins Jamie Martinson and Brian Noonan, hosts of Civic Media Mornings, for a lively, unfiltered breakdown of Saturday night’s Wild Card showdown at Soldier Field. You’ll find it’s part football analysis and part Midwest therapy session. 

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Watch the full Packers-Bears discussion here:

It begins with allegiances quickly being exposed. There’s a heavy dose of north-of-the-border loyalties, Rockford roots, inherited fandoms, and even hard-earned scars from hostile road games. Stories start flying – beer dumped on Packers fans, rocks thrown near train platforms, and the universal truth that no one hates the Packers quite like the Vikings.

Then, enter the real football chat and the game against the Bears.

Westendorf cuts through the noise with a clear-eyed look at two teams stumbling into the playoffs after rough finishes to the regular season. He points to turnovers, red zone failures, and protection up front as the real swing factors, especially against a Bears defense that thrives on takeaways but is struggling play-to-play.

A question about Jordan Love’s rust? Not a concern, according to Westendorf. 

Josh Jacobs’ health? A potential game-changer. 

Zach Tom’s status? Quietly huge.

Then, there’s “the other side.” Chicago’s run game and Caleb Williams’ ability to create chaos outside the pocket looms large. 

“Containing him,” Westendorf says, “is like chasing the fastest chicken in the coop with no fence.”

And because it wouldn’t be the Bears–Packers without drama, the hosts choose to seal it with a bet. If Green Bay wins, Bears fans sing “The Bears Still Suck.” If Chicago pulls it off, Packers fans don Bears gear and belt out “Bear Down.” 

Westendorf’s prediction? Packers 31, Bears 28 with a field goal at the buzzer.

Whatever happens by the lake Saturday night, one thing is certain: this rivalry still hits, still hurts, and still brings out the absolute best (and possibly worst) in football fans across the Midwest.

Either way. Monday morning, someone’s singing.