Seven games into the 2009 season, the Bears and Packers were deadlocked at 4-3. Both teams were trailing Minnesota in the standings, but they each had a solid shot at making the playoffs.
Oh, how the times have changed. Since then, the two rivals have gone their separate ways. The Bears have gone 1-4 over their past five games, with their only win coming against the lowly Rams.
Green Bay, meanwhile, is riding a four-game winning streak and comes into Sunday’s game with a wild-card slot in its grasp.
On the eve of the 178th regular-season meeting between these two hated rivals, RedEye takes a look back at their 2009 seasons.
Week 3
Packers 36, Rams 17
Rodgers (left) completes only 13 passes, but they’re good for 269 yards and two touchdowns. But more importantly for the Packers QB: After being sacked 10 times in his first two games, Rodgers is sacked only twice, both in the first quarter.
Week 4
Bears 48, Lions 24
All is right in Bears land as Cutler (left) throws for two TDs and runs for another — a 5-yard dash that ends with him spinning like the blades of a helicopter before hitting pay dirt. “If I could have just dove in there nice and quietly, I would have,” Cutler says.
Week 7
Bengals 45, Bears 10
Big trouble in paradise: After losing a close game one week earlier in Atlanta, the Bears get blown out, letting the Bengals run to a 31-3 halftime lead. The worst part? Ex-Bear Cedric Benson (left) rushes for 189 yards and a touchdown.
Week 13
Packers 27, Ravens 14
The Packers flex their defensive muscles against one of the leagues toughest teams. In a penalty-filled Monday night game, the Packers hold the Ravens to just 185 total yards. “It wasn’t pretty out there, but a win is a win,” Packers Donald Driver (left) says.
Week 1
Packers 21, Bears 15
The Jay Cutler Era starts with a thud — and four interceptions — as Packers QB Aaron Rodgers throws a 50-yard TD to Greg Jennings with 1:11 left in the game. Adding injury to insult: star linebacker Brian Urlacher is lost for the season with a dislocated wrist.
