LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The symbolism of the Chicago Bears clinching the NFC North on Sunday at the expense of the Green Bay Packers cannot be overstated.
There’s invariably some degree of meaning whenever the Bears face the Packers, given that the teams have the NFL’s oldest rivalry, dating to 1921.
But Sunday’s game takes on special importance -- for a variety of reasons.
The Bears haven’t reached the postseason since losing the 2010 NFC Championship Game at home to the Packers, 21-14. That defeat was painful on many levels, including the fact Green Bay had to beat Chicago in Week 17 that year just to qualify for the playoffs.