This game is huge. If you are a Bears or a Packers fan (or just a fan of football), what could be more exciting?
Not much.
The rivalry between these two teams has a long, long history. Since 1921, these two teams have hated one another. As Brian Urlacher said, “they don’t like us; we don’t like them”. It’s always been that way and it will never change. I don’t think there is really any individual animosity going on. It’s just that these two teams don’t care for one another. Even the fans are pretty civil as far as rivals go. It’s the Midwest, after all. People are just nice, I guess. You have to go back to 1941 for the last time these two met in a playoff game. Heck, the Bears weren’t even called The Bears back then (and they played at Wrigley).
Let me give you an idea of how huge this is; I live in the Madison, WI area and the local media is usually all Packers (which I don’t get and is another post entirely). If ever I want to watch Bears press, I have to get it online (or via WGN when I had cable). This week, however, my local news station will be covering BOTH teams during the sports segments. I saw it last night for the first time. It was a bit odd to see, but thank you still, WISC-TV.
The Bears have something to prove. They have had something to prove all season. They didn’t get any respect this year. They weren’t taken seriously by anyone, really. I think the only people who took them seriously were the members of the Bears themselves. It is safe to say that even the fans had their doubts at times. This is a new Bears team with a new system. To learn as quickly and come as far as they have is pretty awesome.
I’ve watched them week after week -- whether it be a win or a loss -- take something away from the game played and learn from it. They didn’t look past the following week in preparation. Great focus. It was always one game at a time. With one goal in mind; being World Champions.
The Bears are up against a monster of a Green Bay team. They are on fire. Aaron Rodgers is ridiculous – as are his receivers. He completed 31 of his 36 passes for 366 yards, three touchdowns and a 136.8 passer rating in game against The Falcons. Really? Can someone actually do that?
If I were a betting man, I’d probably put my money on Green Bay. However, I am not a betting man, I am a Bears Fan. And, because of that, I believe the Bears can win this game. If the Bears can remain focused and finish, they can do it.
Yeah, the winner of this game gets to go to the Super Bowl. But around here, the winner of this game gets a lot more than that. The winner of this game gets the right to say they are the best – some serious bragging rights. Huge.
One thing is for sure; the winner of this game is going to be our World Champions.
