Hello Wisconsin: The Bears STILL Suck
It's Bears week.
By TimBackes
The Green Bay Packers exit their bye week at 6-3 with the meat of their season ahead of them and a date with their oldest rivals, the Chicago Bears.
Just a few weeks ago, many were eagerly anticipating this matchup as one that could potentially have ramifications in the race for the NFC Championship. Bears fans, as has been the case quite a bit in recent years, perhaps got a bit out ahead of themselves in celebrating their newfound success, but ultimately have come back to earth after several godawful performances that now have their team sitting at a 4-5 record, looking up at the rest of the teams in the division.
They fired their offensive coordinator. Their talented rookie quarterback is struggling mightily. Their hyped-up receiving corps has failed to contribute anything of note.
Simply put, yes: the Bears DO still suck. STILL.
And what’s more, this series that was once so close has started to become a bit lopsided.
The Packers are currently in a series record 10-game winning streak, tied with a previous 10-game winning streak the team had over the Bears from 1994 to 1998. A victory this weekend would give the Packers the new longest winning streak in series history.
The Packers are 49-15 overall in the series since Brett Favre inherited the reins to the franchise in 1992. That’s an absolutely absurd streak of dominance over 30+ years that could well be unprecedented in the NFL (the Patriots did victimize the Bills pretty well for 15, but that’s swung around in recent years).
At that time, the Bears had a 23-game lead in the series. Now, the Packers lead by 12. They have beaten the Bears 107 times total, and are the only team to beat any team 100 times, let alone two teams (they’ve done it to Detroit as well). They beated Chicago in 2022 to surpass the Bears as the NFL’s winningest franchise, and have continued the separation since then.
In just about every regard, the difference between these two franchises is night and day. Winners versus losers, haves versus have nots, success and tradition versus frustration and poor decision making. The Packers value consistency, the Bears espouse chaos.
The Bears would have a very good argument for being the worst franchise in the NFL were it not for the Cleveland Browns.
So this weekend, it’s another meeting of the NFL’s oldest rivalry. But at this point, it’s essentially a game Packers fans have started to take for granted as a W.
Wisconsin Beer of the Week
When I was in college at UW-Madison in the mid-late 2000s, there wasn’t a whole lot yet in the way of craft beer; at least, nothing anywhere near the range of selections there is now. You had your Leinenkugel’s (which recently announced it’s shuttering its historic Chippewa Falls brewery, news that I hated to hear), your New Glarus (which had nowhere near its current range of offerings), and then, in the Madison area for sure, Capital Brewery.
I don’t drink a whole ton of Capital beers any more simply because there’s so much available that I don’t repeat beers nearly as much as I once did. But I was in the mood for some malty beers this week in my latest Woodman’s run, and I saw that Capital had a Munich Dark I hadn’t had before: Garten Brau. I decided it was a good time for me to revisit the brewery (which has a lot of beers I enjoy) and give this new (to me) one a shot.
Here’s the description from the brewery.
“One of our original Garten Braü™ beers, Munich Dark™ is styled after a traditional European Dunkel lager. While the deep brown color alludes to a darker experience, drinkers enjoy a pleasantly light mouthfeel with a smooth, dry finish. This delicate balance of dark caramel malts has garnered over 30 awards – more than any other Capital Brewery beer – and remains an all-time favorite.”
So clearly this is a regular offering that has just somehow eluded me for all these years, but there you have it. At 5.4 percent, this one is a moderate and versatile beer that was the perfect sort of flavor I was looking for on a crisp fall day.
You’ll find it in most liquor stores around Wisconsin.
Around the NFC North
As always, it’s time to go around the NFC North.
- The CHICAGO BEARS had quite the turbulent week after their horrible loss to the New England Patriots. They fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and then reports surfaced that there were veterans on the team who were begging for Caleb Williams to be replaced by Tyler Bagent before Waldron was fired. Yikes. After a few brief glimpses of glory to start the season, Williams and the Bears’ offense have gone back to the Chicago standard, which is to say: absolutely awful. Not sure how they’re going to pull themselves out of this slump. This team has scored nine offensive touchdowns.
- The DETROIT LIONS have had so many years of bad luck to the point where it may all be turning in their favor at the same time. They must have packed their rabbits’ feet, because to survive a game in which you throw five interceptions is pretty insane. It was a game reminiscent of a Colts/Chargers game in the 2000s, and a Bills/Cowboys game around the same era (I can’t remember the exact years). This Lions team is charmed, and even though they’ve gone a couple weeks in a row playing relatively uninspired football, they’re still the strongest team in the NFC at the moment.
- The MINNESOTA VIKINGS also had a game in which their quarterback looked relatively terrible, but they still came out with a close victory against a bad Jaguars team. Sam Darnold looked like he was a Jet again, which may bode poorly for a Vikings team that, while 7-2, is not looking like anywhere near the juggernaut it was in its first five games. But in a relatively wide open NFC, simply winning games at this point is enough. There’s a lot of season ahead.
This or That in Mr. Backes’s classroom: Week 10
As some of you may recall, last year I started doing weekly “this or that” polls on the whiteboard in my classroom at school for laughs. I decided to make it a weekly part of this column to keep you updated on what the youths are saying these days about entirely unimportant issues.
Here are some of the results from the last week:
- Snickers defeated Milky Way
- Musicals defeated plays
- Volleyball defeated softball
- 90s defeated 80s
I’ll continue to keep you updated on the most pressing issues of our time.
Week 11 Picks
Not a ton that’s new to say coming out of the bye, so we’re on to picks. You really think I’m going to pick the Packers to lose to the Bears? Chicago has been spiraling fast, and the Packers are rested and need a divisional win badly to keep pace with the Vikings and Lions. They may not look perfect, but they’ll take it without too much drama.
Packers 30, Bears 13
LAST WEEK: 10-4
SEASON TO DATE: 104-49
THIS WEEK, give me…
EAGLES over Commanders
DOLPHINS over Raiders
BROWNS over Saints
JETS over Colts
VIKINGS over Titans
PACKERS over Bears
LIONS over Jaguars
RAMS over Patriots
RAVENS over Steelers
49ERS over Seahawks
BRONCOS over Falcons
BILLS over Chiefs
CHARGERS over Bengals
TEXANS over Cowboys
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (52)
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 07:04 am
"it’s essentially a game Packers fans have started to take for granted as a W."
I don't know who the Packer fans you know are, Tim, but I don't think anyone here just pencils in a win over the Bears or any other team actually. We all remember those 15 losses you mentioned since the Favre era started.
Being 3rd place in the division at the midpoint of the season is astonishing when we sit at 6-3. Who would have predicted that? All it means is that the Packers just have to take care of their own business and not worry about anything they can't control.
The main thing besides a win I look for this weekend is health. Health is the biggest factor for the rest of the season (or any season for that matter).
RCPackerFan
November 14, 2024 at 09:12 am
Also, it doesn't matter what shape either team is in, it is always a battle. No matter what its always a battle.
EricTorkelson
November 14, 2024 at 07:14 am
Tim, The Bears ( a very good argument as to being the worst franchise in the NFL if it weren't for the Cleveland Browns ) ....
Last checking they have nine world championships and probably fielded the best NFL team we ever saw 1985 Bears
So not buying it ....
GregC
November 14, 2024 at 07:36 am
Yeah, the Bears have been bad, but not the worst. The Browns have made some spectacularly bad decisions, but they did manage to make the playoffs last year. In recent years, I would have to go with the Carolina Panthers as the worst team in football.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 09:35 am
The original Browns were better before they turned into the Ravens. They had some stout teams in the Jim Brown era. Only us oldsters (older than 65?) probably remember those teams though.
HarryHodag
November 14, 2024 at 07:35 am
Lets not get too full of ourselves fellow Packers fans. "Any given Sunday". Riding into Chicago cocky about a Packers win is a good recipe to be defeated.
The Arizona game was the only one this year where the Packers put together four good quarters of football. The Packers are healthy again but we will see. The Bears will be motivated.
We can't forget the beat down put on the Packers at Lambeau by the Lions. That was a good measure to show the Packers have a ways to go to be considered a legitimate contender.
In the end, however, it is Bears week and the Bears will always suck. There's a history in pictures on the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel webpage of Packers-Bears gamesthat is pretty cool, going back to the 1930's.
BTW-Tim, there is no word 'beated' in the English language. Sorry.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 07:39 am
Not only does this game mean more to the fans and players, but Bears coaches also keep or lose their job just because of it.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 07:44 am
Ownership in Chicago has the rabbit-ears that stockholder always seems to assume are in GB (but really aren't), and the fan base is done with Eberflus. Cutting bait on Waldron at this stage reeks of desperation. The Bears need a pretty significant turnaround in most phases to save the Eberflus regime--more than a single win over the Packers.
Coldworld
November 14, 2024 at 07:57 am
The Bears badly need to put up a good performance for a wide variety of reasons. If that team isn’t fired up this week, it never will be. I expect this to be a physical game and I expect the Bears to throw everything at us they can.
Unless we can crush their spirit early on, something we’ve been pretty poor at this season even against weaker teams, this game has the makings of being one where a win won’t come easily and injuries could be as important as the outcome.
If the Bears flop, it’s hard to see a way back for their season but also many of their off field staff. If the Packers don’t come out on top, then we are going to have to face up to the fact that we aren’t what many think we are.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 07:51 am
"Lets not get too full of ourselves fellow Packers fans."
I agree. My dad always used to say (when in HS we would talk about the team we "always" beat--that was Union Grove at the time) that each win brings you one game closer to your next loss. It might not be the next game...but it might. Stay humble, and if you win go ahead and celebrate.
That said, the Bears are coming off their worst two games--a smackdown by Arizona on the road and a mail-it-in loss to NE at home--after what might have been a back-breaking loss to Washington. They usually play better at home, and until AZ they don't give up a lot of points. Even a crappy NE offense put up 19 on them...almost all on FGs.
barutanseijin
November 14, 2024 at 10:28 am
Union Grove, so the old Southern Lakes Conference? We were in that too when i was in hs back in the late seventies early eighties. Class B state champs in 1980. I can’t remember who was bad in the SLC back then, not at this late date.
I agree on the Packers. They make too many mistakes to take anything for granted. They also need to be better about scoring TDs when they’re at the other guys’ side of the field.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 01:28 pm
ETHS! ETHS! ETHS!
TKWorldWide
November 14, 2024 at 01:25 pm
If the fans ride into Chicago cocky about a Packers win, will it impact the game? I daresay the fans can have any attitude they want. They can even look ahead to SF without influencing the outcome of the game in Chicago.
But what do I know? I’ll be wearing my lucky Eric Torkelson jersey like I do every week…
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 01:28 pm
"If the fans ride into Chicago cocky about a Packers win, will it impact the game? "
If a tree falls in the woods, will it land on a Bears QB?
TKWorldWide
November 14, 2024 at 04:56 pm
Without a doubt, and silently, to boot!
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 07:57 am
The Bears are a desperate team.
The Packers make a lot of goofs.
That's the recipe for a roller-coaster game.
I'll leave it at that.
"When I was in college at UW-Madison in the mid-late 2000s, ..."
Uff-da! I think the hair on my knuckles just turned gray.
The NFCN--
Until the Lions start to slip, this division is a two-way brawl for second between the Packers and Vikings. Recent history shows the Vikings tend to slide in the second half and the Packers tend to play better down the stretch. Both teams have difficult schedules. Buckle up, folks.
Coldworld
November 14, 2024 at 08:07 am
If the Packers lose to the Bears, we will be 0 & 3 in the division. Its pretty hard to come back from that. The NFC North is a strong division, which might squeak us in, but that’s really not an endorsement if we end up behind 2 divisional teams.
A loss would also speak volumes about whether we are really a contender and a well coached team. If we again trip ourselves up with penalties and inability to convert key and red zone downs after the bye, then we need to stop giving ourselves a largely free pass and realize that we are what we have been and start asking why.
Both teams have a lot on the line this week. Both will shed light on who they really are. Both should be fired up if they ever can be. Hopefully we see the Packers show that they can put it all together and that the result can be lethal, and not trip over our own feet.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 09:04 am
Don't you think this game won't mean as much if they win, only if they lose? If they win it will at least mean, they took care of business. I would like a nice clean healthy all-around game where they do what we know they can. Otherwise, it's back to square one again.
I'd add it would be nice to start scoring TDs in the redzone and not have to attempt field goals.
Coldworld
November 14, 2024 at 11:18 am
Obviously a loss would have the greatest impact, but even in a win, it’s how that is achieved against a team supposedly in disarray.
stockholder
November 14, 2024 at 01:03 pm
SF next week.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 01:30 pm
Is immaterial until about 4:30 pm (Eastern, of course) on Sunday.
Leatherhead
November 14, 2024 at 11:35 am
'''''A loss would also speak volumes about whether we are really a contender ....."
I'm going to agree with this. If we can go to Chicago, and play well, and win, we'll be 7-3 (and we could be 8-2 if we could kick a FG). If we lose, we're 0-3 in the division and 6-4 overall and probably not a leading contender.
Lions, ,Commies, 49ers, Falcons. Vikings, Eagles, Packers? The Packers need to win this game if they want to be considered legit contenders. If they don't, they aren't.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 01:34 pm
Packers need to win to keep pace with those other teams. A loss certainly gives them a serious disadvantage in conference record tie breaks. Even if they lose, if they get to the tournament, they'll have to be playing well at the end.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 02:18 pm
Eagles and Washington will tell us allot tonight about who to worry about if we were going to worry about anyone but the Packers.
Spock
November 14, 2024 at 10:03 am
dobber: ' "When I was in college at UW-Madison in the mid-late 2000s, ..."
Uff-da! I think the hair on my knuckles just turned gray.'
LOL. I read Tim's line and almost had a "snort-laugh" :) I've probably got clothes in the back of the closet older than this. Reminds me its time to do some closet tossing, sigh.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 01:31 pm
The shirt I wore to walk the dog this morning was ca. 1989.
Since'61
November 14, 2024 at 08:11 am
This is yet another game where the only way the Packers would lose is if they beat themselves. Unfortunately they have shown that they are very capable of beating themselves this season. The loss to the Lions being the most recent example.
The Packers need to come out strong from the opening kickoff, build an early lead to take the crowd out of the game, and play solid football for 60 minutes. The Bears will be desperate so the Packers cannot come out flat and cannot beat themselves with penalties and mistakes. Coming off their bye week the Packers should be rested and ready to play. We'll see if MLF has the team ready to play. I'm expecting a Packer victory but I'm not taking the W for granted. Go Pack Go!
Thanks, Since '61
mrtundra
November 14, 2024 at 08:16 am
To finish behind a team, like this vikings team, in the NFC North, is unconscionable. Time to start winning our division games. Detroit is a good team, but as Jersey Al alluded to, in his column, Detroit is beatable and the Packers can beat them. GO PACK, GO!!!
NFLfan
November 14, 2024 at 08:31 am
I've never understood how any team can come out flat--
There are are only 17 games, screeching crowds, big gambling, cameras/media everywhere, millions of dollars @ stake, careers on the line---'yeah, we came out flat' --?
barutanseijin
November 14, 2024 at 06:02 pm
Like anything else, you get used to it. The jitters go away and it all gets to be routine (at least for the guys who have more than a cup of coffee in the league). Plus they are dealing with the aches and pains that a football season imparts. Weariness builds up, too.
LeotisHarris
November 14, 2024 at 08:35 am
To be able to watch a relaxing beatdown of the Bears on Sunday would be a gift. One of the Chicago receivers was quoted as saying the recently departed OC was "too nice of a guy", that players have "not been held accountable" from the get-go. That kind of culture doesn't change overnight. A decisive win is in order.
Let's not win the toss and defer. Let's not go three and out on our first series after 1) PA boot right where Kraft either drops the pass or the pass is thrown behind him at his feet. 2) Jacobs between the tackles for 3 yards. 3) Love tries to squeeze in a nearly impossible thrown to Reed 35 yards down the right sideline. Let's not have to "shake off the rust" after a bye week.
Run the damn ball, then run it some more. And, help Caleb remember he's only 22 years old and he's alone in the wilderness in the Land of Lost QBs. GPG
greengold
November 14, 2024 at 09:45 am
Proper.
GregC
November 14, 2024 at 11:56 am
I think it is time (past time, actually) to choose to kick off first if we win the coin toss. Getting the ball first has not been working for us the way it did near the end of last season. Let's see if our defense can make a statement at the beginning of the game.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 12:14 pm
I agree. It could be changed up depending on the opponent, but if their offense is struggling, put them on the spot.
I think it stems back to the young O getting on the field while they're still warmed up and trying to give Berry's D a lead to work with.
Leatherhead
November 14, 2024 at 12:21 pm
I think so too. The only way getting the ball first pays off is if you score, and the only team scoring on more than 50% of their possessions is Washington. Baltimore is right at 50%. Packers are #11 at 42%.
So, play the percentages and take the ball to start the 2nd half, where it's a 30 minute game and you get the ball first.
Starrbrite
November 14, 2024 at 09:19 pm
“Land of Lost Quaterbacks”—excellent!
RCPackerFan
November 14, 2024 at 08:36 am
Around the NFC North
The CHICAGO BEARS
Things don't appear to be great in Chicago. They fired the OC. They apparently have players asking the coaches to bench Williams. They have a WR literally going and getting something to drink on the bench when the play is still going on. They have a player who is taunting the fans as the final play is happening on the field. And when he realizes the play is on, he goes over, doesn't cover his guy, goes and tips the ball into the arms of the guy he was supposed to cover. Its a mess there for sure.
The DETROIT LIONS
While this team has some amazing luck it would seem, luck eventually runs out. Might not be now, but when the playoffs come luck runs out.
They are the strongest team in the NFC right now. The problem for them is its only week 11. There are a lot of games left to be played. Though they have a few games that shouldn't be tough. Jags, Colts and Bears.. Oh My... They do have the Bills, 49ers and Vikings in the last 4 games of the season.
The MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings are not a juggernaut. They have had some luck as well. They just barely beat the Jags, who didn't have Lawrence. They beat the Colts who played their backup QB. They play against the Titans, then Bears. They had a really soft part of their schedule which helps their record.
LambeauPlain
November 14, 2024 at 09:54 am
Packers should beat the bares easily. More talent. Better coaches.
And Matt's record after the bye week is very good: 7-5 last year, 3-1 after 2022 bye, 4-1 after 2021, 9-3 after 2020, and 5-1 after 2019 bye.
He and his staff seem to do a good self scout during byes...make solid improvements in strategy and tactics. Review play calls, sequences and individuals who need more or fewer snaps.
And the roster is looking healthy for the most part.
So of course the trap game is set. Be wary and alert when bear hunting.
T7Steve
November 14, 2024 at 10:04 am
I like your use of "bares". Does that mean you think the Packers will beat the pants off them?
Matt
November 14, 2024 at 09:55 am
I remember people betting on Packers winning against Jacksonville by 20 points. Don't be too far ahead. It's not going to be easy and relaxing.
stockholder
November 14, 2024 at 10:19 am
If the packers don't beat the Bears.
This season is over.
No playoffs-
No Super-Bowl-
It's just that simple.
dobber
November 14, 2024 at 03:36 pm
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?!?
Since'61
November 14, 2024 at 04:58 pm
Cookie! Thanks, Since '61
jont
November 14, 2024 at 10:50 am
Speaking of different generations and dysfunction in Chicago....
DJ Moore took himself off the field during a play late last week. The internet thought he gave up on his team, and he later said he had turned his ankle.
Xavier McKinney was asked about this and said: "Play’s still going on, and you walk off the field on your offense. You know, you take note of that. Everybody takes note of that, Cap. That's what I say. Cap."
I asked my 32 year old son what that meant, and he said "How do I know? Zoomers have their own language."
There are online dictionaries to help us with what the kids are saying these days. 'Zoomer' is gen Z-- 20-something, I gather. 'Cap' is typically "no cap" meaning 'no lie', so McKinney was calling DJ a liar.
You're welcome.
GregC
November 14, 2024 at 12:07 pm
I looked up t he DJ Moore play on youtube. Yes, he turned his ankle near the sideline and just walked off. The play continued for another 5-10 seconds. Can't say I've seen a player do that before.
He went out of bounds on his own power, so he could not have been the first player to touch the ball when he came back onto the field, but still, it was not a good look. He should not have stepped out of bounds on his own power anyway. I think he figured he had run his route and didn't get the ball, so he was done with the play.
Starrbrite
November 14, 2024 at 07:47 pm
Thanks jont—that helps. I’m gonna share it with my fellow nursing home pals too…tsk tsk
TheBigCat
November 14, 2024 at 10:59 am
There were memorable games before Favre/Rodgers; the one that comes to mind is the "Instant Replay Game" in 1989 when Don "The Magic Man" Majikowski threw a game winning TD to Sterling Sharpe to beat the Bears 14-13. Ditka refused to acknowledge a Packer victory.
coolhand
November 14, 2024 at 06:21 pm
My favorite was the Chester Marcol touchdown game.
vin0770
November 14, 2024 at 11:00 am
The Bears #1 draft head is spinning and he doesn’t know what he’s seeing and misses too many easy throws he shouldn’t…hope that doesn’t improve Sunday 👍🏼
EricTorkelson
November 14, 2024 at 06:00 pm
I decided to watch 1984 Bear vs Packers re-run on u-tube ( yes I need to get a life )
Mark Lee running W Payton out of bounce over the visitors bench
K Still drilling M Suey head to head long after the whistle
R Brown tight roping J McMahon along the sideline
J Zorn Packer Quarterback getting drilled almost after every pass attempt
A fumble recovery meant covering up all vital organs from players piling on from both sides
Head to Head shots galore all legal
Lower leg clipping blocks all legal
Also Packers Anderson , A Carekter playing with full arm casts on ... ( when men were men )
Both coaches Gregg and Ditka showing open distain for each other on sidelines
It was not the fast , sophisticated and clean game you watch today ( but damn those were the days )
Starrbrite
November 14, 2024 at 07:50 pm
Yep—I well remember—thanks Eric.
Starrbrite
November 14, 2024 at 07:16 pm
This game is the Bears SB, just as it is for the Vikings. They will play like gang busters to beat us. We are the better team however.
Go Packers!!!