Through the years, the flame of the Packers Bears rivalry has varied in intensity. In a post earlier this season, I proclaimed the Vikings to be a far more bitter rival; the modern black and blue blood boiler. I'll admit that this was rooted in personal emotion, rather than public opinion. Having lived among the enemy in Minneapolis, and under the shadow of Darth Favre, my feelings certainly got the best of me. Now removed, living in New York, and post-Favre-retirement (we hope), it seems a new gas line feeds the Packers Bears rivalry. That gas, as it were, is the opportunity to advance to the Super Bowl.

It is with certainty that I can say that a Packers Bears rivalry game has never been more meaningful. There are only 4 instances in their collective past, in which both teams advanced to the playoffs simultaneously. They have met once in the post season, a 33-14 drubbing by the Bears in 1941 to determine the Western Division champion. Fast forward to 2011, and these two squads find themselves on the precipice of the ultimate rubber match. With the season series locked at 1-1, mutual respect, and even friendship, will have to be put on hold for 60 minutes.
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