Cory's Corner: Packers-Bears is no longer a rivalry
The definition of a rivalry is defined as, “competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.”
By that simple definition, this Sunday’s Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears game is not a rivalry.
The Packers are seeking the 10th win in 11 games vs. Chicago all while scoring at least 30 points for the fourth straight game.
The Bears have only been to the playoffs once in the last five years — a postseason that saw them lose to the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. The Packers meanwhile, have been to the postseason six consecutive years — including a Super Bowl title and four NFC North crowns.
To say that these teams are in opposite directions is the understatement of all understatements. The Bears are the Little League team that’s just looking ahead to the postgame ice cream and the Packers are the All-Star team that gets annoyed when they get participation trophies.
I understand that this is the oldest matchup in the NFL. But just because two teams are about to meet for the 191st time doesn’t automatically mean it’s a rivalry. The rivalry took a hiatus from the early 1970s until Brett Favre came to town because the Packers were downright dreadful. This shows you how bad the Packers were: with all the recent success they’ve had, the Bears still own a two-game lead in the series.
And now it’s the Bears turn to circle the drain. They are on their fifth head coach since Mike Ditka and only one of those guys had a .500 record in Chicago. It doesn’t get any better with the quarterbacks. The Bears have had 12 different quarterbacks since Jim McMahon.
And they still haven’t found their guy. Jay Cutler is 1-10 vs. the Packers in the regular season and 0-1 in the postseason in his career and has thrown 10 interceptions in his last five games vs. Green Bay. The Packers don’t just have his number, they have it trademarked and are thinking about making it an LLC.
Obviously it’s a completely different story on the other side. The Packers have the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers. He’s the un-Cutler by not taking unnecessary risks, not publicly complaining about teammates and by just flat-out enjoying playing the most important position in all of sports. Rodgers is 11-3 vs. Chicago in the regular season and has a 1-0 mark in the postseason. In his last five games, he’s thrown 13 touchdowns and two picks.
The Packers are picked by many to go deep into January and perhaps knock on the door to the Super Bowl. The Bears are looking to just keep their heads above water and not get any other major contributors injured all while keeping an anxious fan base interested for the entire season.
Everyone wants this game to remain a rivalry, because of the historic traditions. But musty old boxscores don’t help a current Bears team that has a pathetic secondary. Bears fans that throw on replica Mike Singletary jerseys won’t help a defense slow down one of the best offenses in the league.
But it won’t and this game isn’t. Not until the Bears can stare legitimate playoff expectations in the face. Because calling this game a rivalry is like saying the Globetrotters had a rivalry with the Washington Senators.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (70)
Green Machine
September 12, 2015 at 06:53 am
I don't like this way of thinking.
Yes - The Bears have been down. Now the objective is to make sure they STAY DOWN!
I was RAISED to HATE that team (thank you mom). Records, stats, and recent past performances are irrelevant to me.
johngalt
September 12, 2015 at 11:46 am
Agreed. This is absolutely still a rivalry. Disliking the bears is fun too.
HankScorpio
September 12, 2015 at 05:57 pm
Count me among those that still consider the Bears to be the pre-eminent rival of the Packers. The Packers cannot possibly stomp the Bears into the mud often enough to erase what happened in the 80s from my memory.
JerseyAl
September 12, 2015 at 03:55 pm
Cory - poking the bear again. Love it! But it's still a rivalry...
TarynsEyes
September 12, 2015 at 07:44 am
So even with the great success the Packers have had with Rodgers,we are still on the losing end of the standings between the two teams and you say the rivalry is over regardless.
By that thinking,the rivalry was over long before the Packers success of recent years that has nearly made the teams even in win-loss-tie records.
Or does a rivalry automatically end when either participant goes through a drought of below average play.
This rivalry may not look as compelling as once did,but as long as either team plays twice a year and can damage /derail the others chance....its on.
Remember,it may not be all that long into the future where the Packers may be the one getting rolled on again.Will that re-install the rivalry status for you because the simply shooing/wave off hand gesture being thrown at the Bears now losses its ignorant muster.
'IF' the Bears were to win Sunday,would the rivalry still be over,while excuses upon excuses are offered for the loss, and the next meeting still one of no significance and garner a wave of the hand also as is being offered before this one...I think not.
The score or the record never tells the whole story and the rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay will not be dismissed because of the scores or late or the record.
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 09:41 am
This isn't over. I know a lot of Bears fans and they "hate" the Packers. Remember the Bears playing us the last game just trying to make sure we didn't make the playoffs? That was after they had the div won. If the Pack loses tom, we'll have to wait another season to get "even". After going on 200 games, that's a rivalry. You won't see the big hits anymore, it's been taken out of the game. The Bears play uninspired and it's because of their QB, he's the main reason this rivalry isn't intense like it should be. It'll change next year when they finally send him packing.
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 12, 2015 at 04:01 pm
Hey 4thand1, I realize the Pack has dominated Chicago over the years, but for some reason, GB found a way to keep a lot of those games close. No reason to think we will lose to the Bears. Heaven help us if we do.
I've also talked to a lot of Chicago people in the sports books out here, & you are right, "They Hate GB". On the other hand, most of them have told me, if they can't make it, they hope we do. I tell them the same thing. I don't like Chicago, but I HATE Minnesota. I think they are a team to look out for this year. Until I see different, our Defense can probably lose, or make it close with any team that can pass the ball. I don't think Chicago can stop our offense, but I'm not sure our Defense can stop them cold either. We all have seen too many Chicago games that were a lot closer than what people thought. I'll be surprised & Happy if this game isn't within 7 points. Go Pack!!
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 04:20 pm
So did you put money on the Pack to cover?
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 12, 2015 at 04:53 pm
I don't bet the GB game. I'm going tonight to Bally's. I think I'm going to take a shot on MINN-2 over SF. I'm usually wrong on the GB. The game is GB-7 with a Big number 50. It looks like they should cover. I do pretty good, going against the money. I hope GB covers.
Bohj
September 12, 2015 at 09:02 am
"Rodgers is 11-3 vs. Chicago in the regular season and has a 1-0 mark in the postseason."
You can believe what you want about whether Packer fans or Vic think this is a rivalry. But go ahead and ask Chicago fans how they feel about that stat you quoted. Think they're content? Think they don't want to beat us? Think they like getting whooped for a decade?
What makes this a rival is....borders.....play twice a year....... And the fact that the Bears even in a losing season would consider beating us even once.....a successful season right now. Their hatred of us keeps it a rivalry even if you don't think it is.
Ask San Francisco if they thought we were a rival. Or Seattle. The last five years. They beat us. We hate them. They are our rivals.......but we are not theirs. It's all about perspective.
NashvilleCheesehead
September 12, 2015 at 09:40 am
"Because calling this game a rivalry is like saying the Globetrotters had a rivalry with the Washington Senators."
Games are not rivalries; teams have rivalries.
The Bears are our truest rivalry. Always will be.
GO PACK GO!!
Bayan74
September 12, 2015 at 09:41 am
As long as fans keep circling the dates before start of the season it is a rivalry. It may not be competitive, but it is still a rivalry.
Tommyboy
September 12, 2015 at 09:52 am
I don't circle these. I circle the Vikings and Seahwks/49ers well before these.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 12:03 pm
You probably do that because you discover this franchise in like 1993 or so.
Tommyboy
September 12, 2015 at 02:51 pm
Born in 81, so yeah, not too far off....the players in this game were also born well after this series was as heated as it once was.
The series probably holds various levels of intensity for different fans, but being the lone Bears fan to troll a Packers fan site crying foul sort of gives more credence to the article.
I actually enjoy this series and most Bears fans. I respect the Bears organization immensely and certainly Halas for helping the Packers all those years ago....it certainly can hold its own without your petulant snark.
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 09:45 am
I think that due to free agency and the salary cap (in the NFL) rivalries in sports are not what they used to be. Prior to the free agency era rosters remained relatively stable and the fans of rival teams not only despised each other but in some cases the players hated their counterparts from the other teams. Back in the day Jerry Kramer and Alex Karras from the Lions went at each other for most of the '60s. I can still remember most of the Bears starting lineup from the '60s as easily as I can remember Lombardi's Packers. Now I can name maybe 5 players for the Bears. As a Yankee fan I can remember most Yankee/Red Sox games turning into on field brawls in the '70s and players from both being frequently quoted saying "we really hate those guys". But today, players know that next season they may be playing together on the same team (note how many Packers have been signed by the Vikings over the years). Players no longer see themselves identified by their teams as much as members of the NFLPA. How many players will play 20 years for one team like Derek Jeter in MLB. How many NFL players will play for one team their entire career besides a few of the great QBs like A. Rodgers or Tom Brady. The rivalries still exist for the fans and the media (of course) but I do believe that it is turned down somewhat in the minds of the players who feel more of a brotherhood for their fellow union members than they would have felt years ago. In any case I still want the Packers to come out and obliterate the Bears. Thanks, Since '61
Thegreatreynoldo
September 12, 2015 at 11:00 am
My first reaction was that Cory simply is too young to remember and understand the reactions between the two fan bases. Your post, however, is excellent. I'd agree that the players are far less focused on the rivalry with the Bears than in prior decades.
I do think the rivalry will intensify at some point when both Chicago and GB have roughly good or roughly equal teams at the same time. I think Packers' fans simply have bigger fish to fry than just gaining satisfaction by beating the Bears. In individual sports, there have been great rivalries, but the two players have to be reasonably even. Think Muhammad Ali vs. Frasier, Chris Evert vs Martina Navratilova, etc.: once one person established dominance most of the rivalry slipped away.
AZPack
September 12, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Great comment TGR. This is a rivalry in the fans and media's minds and it will always be. The players because of the increased transient nature of players in the NFL don't have the truest identity of this as a rivalry anymore. However, it should never be forgotten that this IS a rivalry. The fact that its over 190 contest and counting and only 2 games separate the teams shows its a rivalry.
I get what the author is saying, since the Packers (right now) have been so dominated the series, but its a futile argument and point of view, that doesn't really acknowledge or understand the depth of the fans point of view. The cities and fans of the teams couldn't really be anymore different, which helps fuel the rivalry.
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 02:26 pm
Great Reynoldo - I appreciate the positive feedback and agree that rivalries become more intense when both teams have more to gain or lose. Thanks, Since '61
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 03:23 pm
You hit the nail on the head, good post and feedback.
dobber
September 12, 2015 at 09:45 am
I think this this same article was written by Chicago sportswriters in the mid-to-late 80s.
Tommyboy
September 12, 2015 at 09:51 am
I dig the article. It's interesting, this matchup has felt more like a friendly competition over the last several years. Rodgers seemed to have fun with Urlacher and would appear to consider Cutler a friend. Years ago I saw Desmond Bishop and Will Blackmon hanging out with Devin Hester and another member of the Bears team (can't remember who). But to be honest, I'm cool with that. I actually like that. I suppose the total domination helps too.
Oh and I think you mean the Washington Generals not the Senators.
porupack
September 12, 2015 at 09:57 am
The Bears are the Little League team that’s just looking ahead to the postgame ice cream and the Packers
hahaha
And now it’s the Bears turn to circle the drain
hahaha
The Packers don’t just have his number, they have it trademarked and are thinking about making it an LLC.
hahaha,he, he, whew..
Cory, I enjoyed your article. You were on a roll. However, I agree with comments above (Tarynfor12), just because bears are in a slump, the rivalry remains, that extra passion rises from both teams and fans....and will always be a tough match.
Admit it, who would you be most pissed about losing to; Chigo or the Rams?
I do like the bears, and like the years when they put out a good defensive team, and beating them then had some sense of real accomplishment.
vj_ostrowski
September 12, 2015 at 10:16 am
Two points:
1. I certainly don't think rivalries are what they used to be, due to the changing nature of the NFL.
That said;
2. I don't believe in this recent line of thinking that rivalries aren't rivalries unless both teams are decent. Bears/Packers will always be a rivalry. Maybe not the most interesting one, right now, but it will always exist.
LouBen
September 12, 2015 at 10:20 am
Who says the rivalry is over? I haven't heard that once. It's the longest, on going football matchup. Maybe the writer believes this b/c at this time, the matchup is pretty lopsided. I would say most teams have their up and down streaks but so what?
The Packers are in it to win it B/C it's a north division competition. There are obviously players who don't have that attitude...J....cough, cough but that's their problem.
Being a woman, I will admit, I don't understand how guys can compete like they do and then go have a beer later. It's a guy thing. Women hold grudges....js. lol
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 10:35 am
When this game starts, the first words out of the announcers mouths will be, " the NFL's oldest rivalry is set to get under way".
EdsLaces
September 12, 2015 at 10:38 am
Fact
vj_ostrowski
September 12, 2015 at 05:56 pm
That's about as perfect and simple a response as it gets. Nailed it.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 11:54 am
I think this article is truly pathetic. If these teams are no longer rivals, why are ticket prices so high for tomorrow's game and why has the NFL decided to have these squads square off on Thanksgiving night? I remember when the Packers sucked (and many of the so-called stock holding fans certainly were like farts-in-the-wind back then), and I hated the Packers then and I hate them now.
Having an Internet connection and a keyboard certainly gives you the right to express your opinion. But just like Ryan Braun's herpes, it's just untrue.
vj_ostrowski
September 12, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Hey man, that's totally unfair.
It's probable Ryan Braun had herpes AND was also cheating.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Well played!
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 12:34 pm
And let me add that all of your huffing and puffing will not blow our house down because even as you well know "The Bears still suck"! So go back to the Bears blog and cry about the ticket prices to the Bears who are charging you a ridiculous amount to watch and cheer for their mediocre product. And by using mediocre I'm being very generous. I'm sure the owners of the team are laughing all the way to their bank(s). Thanks, Since '61
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 01:03 pm
I don't complain about ticket prices; the NFL is a business and my season tickets are a luxury item. I'm just suggesting that tomorrow's game's prices are going for a lot of money. It's a fact. At least the franchise I cheer for doesn't fool me with fake shares of stock. I've seen more honesty on American Greed. In fact, Packers fans buy fake shares of stock over real playoff tickets.
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 02:17 pm
Thanks for your feedback. Speaking strictly for myself I purchased my shares to show my support for my team. I fully realize that the shares are nothing more than glorified thank you cards for my donation and a well conceived marketing ploy to raise money. However at least our money does not go to line the pockets of some greedy NFL owner who does not care about their fans or in many cases their players. One of the many reasons that I have remained a long time, long distance (I'm from NYC originally, now NJ) Packer fan is that I believe in the concept that teams should belong to their fans. It would be nice to actually have an equity share but the Packer's structure is the best we can do for now. BTW, I've been traveling to Chicago for business since the 70s and I have yet to find a place where I can get a good bagel with a schmeer, any suggestions. Thanks, Since '61
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 05:24 pm
Well my friend, you need to hit Kaufman's in Skokie. One of the best delis in America.
barutanseijin
September 12, 2015 at 06:06 pm
New York Bagels on Touhy near I94 is best that I know. They live up to their name.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 06:26 pm
Yes NY is good too
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 09:52 pm
Thanks for the feedback guys. It's always good to know about good deli when I'm on the road. Since '61
AZPack
September 12, 2015 at 02:15 pm
We are all well aware that the money we paid for our shares of stock gets us nothing in return. Well except for the best stadium in the world! The Packers don't fool us, or even try to. It states very clearly on the purchase order.
At least our franchise doesn't delude us that our hard earned money doesn't go to the owners pocket and an inferior product on the field!
Since'61
September 12, 2015 at 02:19 pm
Dan - apparently we were of one mind on this one. Thanks, Since '61
LouBen
September 12, 2015 at 02:37 pm
I take great pride in saying I own a little piece of the Pack. The perks are not necessarily something you can touch but we sure do feel it. Some just don't get it but that's OK. :)
NickPerry
September 12, 2015 at 03:17 pm
Well BearJew the tickets are probably expensive because it's the only time all season the Bears will be a 500 team, at least that's my guess. As far as the Stock Shares, all of us that have purchased them are well aware of their value. I'm sure you've seen the commercial...PRICELESS
I understand your animosity, I really do. If I shelled out the change to buy Chicago Bear Season Tickets at the prices they charge for the product they put on the field, I'd be a miserable F*** too. Luxury item or not!!
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 05:27 pm
I'm not miserable about spending the money. Buying tickets is a choice. I'm very blessed to be able to afford to take my son to games and go with my father. If you think there's a financial price on the day when I was ten and saw Walter Payton set the NFL rushing record, you're very misguided. Or the other memorable games I've been to in my life, there's no money that takes that away from me. You think every game I've been to with my father and every game I continue to attend with both isn't the most important 5 hours of my life, I feel bad for you.
AZPack
September 13, 2015 at 10:32 am
You have a son and dad to share you fandom w/ yet your here trolling a Packers site? LMFAO
ChicagoBearJew
September 14, 2015 at 04:38 pm
I don't think I was trolling. I was simply commenting on a piece and sharing my thoughts. If that's trolling, I'm sorry you misread my intentions.
ChicagoBearJew
September 14, 2015 at 04:38 pm
I don't think I was trolling. I was simply commenting on a piece and sharing my thoughts. If that's trolling, I'm sorry you misread my intentions.
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 03:26 pm
You liked Inglorious Bastards I take it. The Bears still suck! GOPACKGO.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 05:20 pm
Maybe seatbacks and some sort of traffic control would make things a lot nicer for your stadium. Yes Lambeau is a great place to watch a football game (except I need a chropractor after the game). That being said, suggesting to me that these shares of stock help put money back into the franchise is comical. Every NFL team makes ridiculous amounts of money. In fact, I've heard that the Packers are buying up land around the stadium. This is pure corporate greed. You want validation of your fandom by donating $300 to the team, it's your money you can do with it whatever you like. But please end the story line of how it goes back into the team. NFL teams don't need our charity.
By the way, I am not some sheep that blindly supports my team. I'm livid with the state of the Bears. Their ownership has failed miserably and continues to trip over itself. Until the Bears find the right front office, they'll struggle for many years.
I hate the Packers, but I very much respect how they do business. Being a Bears fan is very difficult these days.
AZPack
September 12, 2015 at 08:39 pm
All the money from the last 2 stock sales went 100% into the stadium development. Its made Lambeau not just an iconic stadium, but a destination in itself, a place any football fan should visit
All NFL teams would like to be able to build a stadium district where they can make money year round on. It only improves the product on the field in the Packers case. They have over the past decade been buying land in and around Lambeau to build the "Titletown District". It will provide income from sources that isn't shared w/ the rest of the owners. It will help keep the Packers a viable and profitable franchise for decades to come. You act like that's a bad thing. I guess if would only line the pockets of the owner it is greed, but since the Packer are Non-Profit, all the money they make goes into the product on the field and the experience at Lambeau.
The Lambeau experience is already the best in Pro Sports and it will only get better, much to the bears chagrin.
ChicagoBearJew
September 13, 2015 at 03:56 am
Why does a NFL team need your financial help? Didn't the state of Wisconsin just agree to build the Milwaukee Bucks a new stadium? So there's money for a crappy basketball franchise but not the iconic Packers?
Let's assume that the Packers are indeed on the up-and-up and they're honestly taking every dime from the sale of stock and putting into the stadium. Where does the rest of the money go? NFL teams are profit generators and essentially printing money. Who ends up getting this money? When the Soldier Field was re-done, we had to purchase PSLs to keep our tickets. We had no problem paying it and quite frankly, we got a tangible item for our money. All you guys got was a piece of paper.
Look if it makes you happy and it doesn't stop your family from starving, knock yourselves out. But calling this "being an owner" seems a bit cornballish.
AZPack
September 13, 2015 at 10:07 am
Look your just being a hater. Simply your JEALOUS! So you come here to hate on the franchise you WISH your bares could become.
Being a stock holder was a small way to support your team. Not unlike buying a jersey or some memorabilia. We know they don't "need" our help we give it and we do it happily. Just like some fans buy jerseys or other memorabilia, we also can get shares of stock which helped fund the stadium. Its a VERY small piece of having ownership in something.
What's cornholish is you coming on a Packer site and hating, when we all know your jealous!
ChicagoBearJew
September 14, 2015 at 04:40 pm
I don't live through my football team. I cheer for the Chicago Bears. I live for my family and friends.
Am I jealous of the Packers? Absolutely. They've done a great job building a football team. Meanwhile the Bears continue to trip over themselves. For the sake of us fans, I hope they got it right this time. But I'm not too optimistic.
I enjoy Cheesehead TV and will comment when I feel it's appropriate.
ChicagoBearJew
September 12, 2015 at 05:20 pm
Maybe seatbacks and some sort of traffic control would make things a lot nicer for your stadium. Yes Lambeau is a great place to watch a football game (except I need a chropractor after the game). That being said, suggesting to me that these shares of stock help put money back into the franchise is comical. Every NFL team makes ridiculous amounts of money. In fact, I've heard that the Packers are buying up land around the stadium. This is pure corporate greed. You want validation of your fandom by donating $300 to the team, it's your money you can do with it whatever you like. But please end the story line of how it goes back into the team. NFL teams don't need our charity.
By the way, I am not some sheep that blindly supports my team. I'm livid with the state of the Bears. Their ownership has failed miserably and continues to trip over itself. Until the Bears find the right front office, they'll struggle for many years.
I hate the Packers, but I very much respect how they do business. Being a Bears fan is very difficult these days.
zeke
September 13, 2015 at 01:37 am
"That being said, suggesting to me that these shares of stock help put money back into the franchise is comical. "
I'm curious as to where you think that money goes?
ChicagoBearJew
September 13, 2015 at 04:05 am
I don't see the books from the Packers. I couldn't tell you. I see sports as a business. The whole concept of "we" as a fanbase just doesn't carry much water. I cheer for the Bears, they are my favorite team, but I understand that being a fan gives me the rights to cheer or boo. Nothing else.
NFL franchises make mounds of money. Between television revenue, merchandising and ticket sales, it's essentially a license to print Benjamins. The NFL is considered a non-for-profit so it even gets tax breaks. So someone somewhere is making huge money. Obviously based on the state of things, the Packers are putting money into the team on the field and its development. Even with that money being spent, there's plenty left over.
zeke
September 13, 2015 at 06:42 am
Since the Packers are the NFL's only publicly-held team, you can see the books; every year if you want. That's (another) difference between the Packers and pretty much any other team: the plenty of money left over - as you put it - doesn't go to the McCaskey family, or the Krafts, or the Fords, or the Wilfs, etc. Being a fan of the Packers (or even owning stock) doesn't give anyone the right to do much beyond cheering or booing, either (except for voting at the shareholder's meetings, if you're into that sort of thing). Because they are publicly held, you can see where all of the money goes. Whether you think that makes them better or worse than any other franchise is a matter of opinion, I suppose.
marpag1
September 12, 2015 at 12:04 pm
So let me see if I have this straight. A rivalry is "a competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.” And this is NOT what the Bears and Packers will be doing??
What, pray tell, will they be doing instead? Sharing waffle recipes? Pondering the nature of existence?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 12, 2015 at 02:00 pm
True enough. Using your definition, GB has the same rivalry with the other 3 teams in the North division, and indeed with every other NFL team. I submit that your definition loses some of the flavor of the term.
Ali and Frasier had a rivalry. Nadal had a rivalry with Federer at one time, but no one outside of those applying the technical definition of the word thinks Nadal has a rivalry with the 300th ranked tennis player.
marpag1
September 12, 2015 at 02:31 pm
Well, I submit that if we read the first sentence of this article, we see that it is not my definition, but one provided by the author himself.
(I'll overlook for now that the first sentence also very awkwardly says that "the definition is defined as...")
Thegreatreynoldo
September 13, 2015 at 02:14 am
Sorry, I'd forgotten that the author defined the term, and I managed to overlook the quotation marks that should have been a strong hint. Merriam Webster has the following definitions: "a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another; something or someone that is as good or almost as good as another person or thing; Full Definition: one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess ."
However, i think I've changed my mind. My brother is a full 3 years older than I am. There was always a rivalry between us in most sports; it didn't matter when he was pounding me when I was 12 and he 15, or when I turned the tables on him in at least some sports when I hit 16. Maybe that was because I figured someday I'd catch up with him in terms of size and strength. The only time that the rivalry ended was when one of us no longer cared if the other was better (I stopped caring that he was better at basketball) or one of us got so much better that even with every possible handicap the outcome was not in doubt (in tennis, I got only one serve and couldn't come to the net but could name the score). That will never happen with the Packers and the Bears. I guess the answer is one that has universal application: if you let me define the terms, I can win almost any argument.
packerfan9507
September 12, 2015 at 03:11 pm
Today's ally may be tomorrow's bitter enemy, today’s sacred truths often become tomorrow's hateful prejudices and vice versa, but the Bears will always still suck.
4thand1
September 12, 2015 at 06:53 pm
Aaron Rodgers will be better than last year. He's Payton Manning smart with a lot better arm and can move. He'll make these young guys look good. Jay Cutler secretly hates him.
AZPack
September 12, 2015 at 07:36 pm
Cutler is the Anti-Rodgers. He wishes he could make smart decisions like Rodgers does. Alas, its just not in his DNA to make the smart throws. LOL
ChicagoBearJew
September 13, 2015 at 04:07 am
Have you seen Cutler's wife? I'd say he's doing OK in life. Bad QB but a smart man.
NickPerry
September 13, 2015 at 05:05 am
Because he has a beautiful wife? To think you called me misguided.
AZPack
September 13, 2015 at 10:28 am
That all you got? Cutler has a beautiful wife? Pathetic... Rodgers has a beautiful GF too, you don't see us using that as an argument in defense of his play! Talk about misguided.
ChicagoBearJew
September 14, 2015 at 04:41 pm
Cutler also lives on piles of money. He may not win in football, but he's certainly winning in life.
nofulyn
September 12, 2015 at 08:16 pm
I for one particularly like the look on Jay Cutler's face when he throws an interception, and when he pouts in the post-game press conference. I never get tired of it.
TommyG
September 12, 2015 at 11:43 pm
Living in Redskins country, I can tell you that this exact same article was written about the Cowboys/Redskins "rivalry". The local sports radio made nearly the exact same remarks; that the rivalry was dead because the skins are so bad. This was just before the Skins went to Dallas for what should have been an absolute butt-kicking. The result was a Redskins win in Big D. Later that year the cowboys returned the favor by finally delivering that beat-down when they came to DC. Rivalries do no die simply because one of the two teams is not playing as well. A true rivalry is born of and nurtured by the us the fans. Do we still look forward to the Packers vs. Bears on our schedule? Damn straight we do! And I can tell you with certainty that those in Chicagoland do the exact same thing. This rivalry is true and strong even if the competition has been lacking.
khoavq
September 13, 2015 at 02:09 am
great