LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- When Packers star Aaron Rodgers ran into the southwest end zone of Soldier Field and proclaimed his ownership of the Bears, he was truly speaking to the dozens of fans yelling and gesturing at him.
But Rodgers was truly calling out the McCaskey family, the longstanding owners of the Bears who have witnessed far too many losses to the rival Packers. These rivalry games mean a great deal to the McCaskeys, or so they have said.
So, when will the fate of the rivalry change? The Packers own a 102-95-6 all-time edge over the Bears thanks to victories in 20 of the last 23 games, including the playoffs. Green Bay has won five straight over Chicago and 11 of the last 13 at Lambeau Field. For his part, Rodgers has won 22 of his 27 starts against the Bears, including the postseason.
The Packers have been the gold standard of the NFC North for the division's two decades of existence – and the Bears have consistently come up short.
If these games against the Packers indeed mean more for the McCaskeys, why haven't they found a way for the Bears to consistently match the Packers' standard? It's not enough to just simply note that Rodgers and Brett Favre have dominated the series over the last 30 years. The Packers have also had just five full-time head coaches since Favre's arrival in 1992, and none of them had a losing record.
Since the start of the 1993 season, the Bears have had six coaches, with only two boasting a winning record. One was Lovie Smith (81-63), and the other is current coach Matt Nagy (32-30), who's 1-6 against the Packers during his four-year tenure with the Bears.
The reasons for the Packers' success against the Bears goes beyond their quarterback play and coaching. It's also the stability created by executives like Hall of Famer Ron Wolf (1991-2000) or the late Ted Thompson (2005-'17), who built championship-caliber rosters around their star quarterbacks. Then there are the McCaskeys and the Bears, who have failed to find consistency in their front office since Jerry Vainisi's tenure as general manager from 1983-'86.
The Bears have struggled to keep up with the NFL's modern trends, as reflected in their ill-fitting coaching hires over the last decade. The organization hasn't had sustain success in the last 30 years.
Which brings the NFL's longest standing rivalry to Sunday night at Lambeau Field, where the Bears (4-8) will look to steal one from the Packers (9-3). An unlikely victory would be something to celebrate for the McCaskeys in another challenging season for their Bears, but what would a loss mean?
Whether it's firing Nagy on Monday morning or deciding upon significant change at the end of this season, yet another gut punch from the Packers should mean something more. The McCaskeys can start by hiring the cutting-edge coach willing to build around rookie quarterback Justin Fields and a proven top football executive to oversee their operations.
It's not enough to just relish this rivalry. It's time for the McCaskeys to follow the Packers' lead in hopes of building the Bears a sustained winner.
The Bears can't accept decades more of the Packers dominating this rivalry. Not if the McCaskeys truly care like they claim.
4-down territory
1) Underdog mentality
The odds are stacked against the Bears as they travel north, and quarterback Justin Fields knows it. He also likes it.
Throughout his rookie season, Fields has mentioned the notion of being counted out or doubted. It goes back to his time at Georgia, where he lost out on the chance to start and bet on himself by transferring to Ohio State.
Fields believes the balance of power in the rivalry between the Bears and Packers will flip soon enough, a point he has publicly shared before. As for now, he has to embrace observers picking against his team.
"I like being the underdog," Fields said. "I think it just gives me an extra chip on my shoulder. I like when people doubt me. That just gives me a little extra motivation."
2) Home stretch for A-Rob
Bears receiver Allen Robinson has five games left to make a mark this season. It has been a challenging campaign for him, one in which he has just 30 catches and has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury.
Shop for the latest Bears team gear here.
For the 28-year-old Robinson, the inconsistency has come while playing on the franchise tag in another contract year. Though Robinson hasn't produced to his liking, he has maintained a professional approach. And NFL executives should see past the numbers in offering him a contract this offseason.
But as for the last five games, Robinson hopes to flip the script.
"Honestly, just going out there and maximizing, capitalizing on the opportunities that are given to me," Robinson said. "That's really all I can set out for."
3) Man of the Year
For the second straight season, the Bears nominated veteran tight end Jimmy Graham for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which is considered one of the most prominent individuals honors in the NFL.
The award recognizes a player who had a significant positive impact on his community. Graham was nominated by the Bears for his work with the Jimmy Graham Foundation, which works with veterans as well as homeless youth.
An avid pilot, Graham has provided flights to more than 50 veterans over the past year. He made a six-figure donation to Ignite, a local organization that assists with homeless youth. Graham also donated Thanksgiving dinners to all of Ignite's youth and residential programs.
Beyond that, Graham has donated two tickets to the veteran who gets honored on the field during each Bears home game.
Congratulations to Graham, who's a deserving nominee for the prestigious award.
4) 'Different worlds'
It seems that Bears safety Tashaun Gipson isn't friends with Rodgers.
"We live two different worlds, man," Gipson said when asked about his relationship with Rodgers.
Asked what he meant, Gipson repeated himself.
"We live two different worlds, man," Gipson said. "For many reasons."
Quote to note
"We want to get a win. We want to go out and try to dominate. It will make it even better if we can get this win against the Packers. At the end of the day, we're hungry for a win. We need a win at this point."
-- Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson
Injury report
WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) -- Robinson appears set to return to action after missing the team's past three games.
DL Akiem Hicks (ankle) -- Two years ago, Hicks returned from a gruesome elbow injury in time to play at Lambeau Field. It might be his goal again as he works back from an ankle sprain this time.
RB David Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute) -- Nobody feels well at this point in an NFL season, especially if you're a running back. But it seems Montgomery should play.
QB Justin Fields (ribs) -- Fields has been cleared to play and start Sunday, with the Bears saying his fractured ribs have healed. But they need to protect him from potential pain against an attacking Packers defense.
Prediction (9-3): Packers 38, Bears 17
Even with Fields returning, this has all the makings of an ugly night for the Bears under the national spotlight. Their offense is still finding itself. The defense is depleted. And the Packers are fresh off a bye week. It's worth wondering if this will become Nagy's last game as head coach in Chicago.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
