(670 The Score) Matt Nagy has been the Bears' head coach for just five of the organization's 199 regular-season meetings against the Packers, but he understands the rivalry.
Nagy knows the Bears have struggled against the Packers since 1992, when Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre arrived in Green Bay and began a run of success for the franchise. The Bears trail the all-time series 99-94-6 entering the 200th regular-season matchup between the teams, a high-stakes game at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon that will carry playoff implications for both sides.
The rivalry means something to Nagy, and he recognizes the added importance of this Sunday. If the Bears (8-7) beat their enemy from the north, they'll clinch a playoff berth. On the other hand, a loss could leave the Bears out of the playoffs and would add to their recent disappointment in playing the Packers (12-3)
"We would never disrespect that," Nagy said of rivalry's recent history. "For those that haven’t been a part of that feeling and that opportunity that’s been there or hasn’t been there, we recognize it. But we know with where we’re at right now and what sits in front of us is we need to go out there and play every single play this Sunday as fast and productive as we can together."
For the Bears to beat the Packers, they must slow down future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers -- who has carried the baton handed off by Favre and has Green Bay controlling its own destiny in its quest to earn the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
At 37, Rodgers could win his third career MVP award and has the Packers vying for their second Super Bowl in his 16-year tenure in Green Bay. He has completed 70.3% of his passes for 4,059 yards, 44 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
"It's our job to kind of move the pieces around enough to make him think," said Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend, who faced Rodgers once during his 13-year playing career. "No matter how long he's played, you still can give him some different looks to make him have to adjust and the more that we can make him have to adjust, the more time it gives us, the pass rush to get there. It all goes hand in hand -- rushing, coverage, going to get him but also making him think once he catches the ball."
The Bears' coaching staff will begin implementing its game plan Monday night as they work to contain Rodgers.
"He’s a master of their system," Bears outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said. "He’s extremely talented and he’s got rare football IQ and feel for the passing game.
"This guy’s playing as good as any quarterback that I’ve ever seen."
Rodgers is 19-5 against the Bears in the regular season, throwing for 5,773 yards, 51 touchdowns and 10 interceptions against Chicago.
The Bears have defeated Rodgers and the Packers just once in five contests in Nagy's tenure, with that 24-17 victory coming at Soldier Field in December 2018 as Chicago clinched the NFC North crown. The Packers beat the Bears, 41-25, at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29 in their earlier meeting this season.
Nagy knows the significance of Sunday comes not just in what's on the line but also in whom the Bears are up against.
"All that other stuff with the history and everything, that comes with us playing well and then hopefully we continue that," he said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
