Bears vs. Packers: Playoff football is back in Chicago

The Chicago Bears (11-6) and the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) will add another chapter to their storied rivalry as the two franchises meet in the NFL playoffs for just the third time in league history.

The latest: The Bears will host the Packers on Saturday night (7pm) after losing a thriller to the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field yesterday, 19-16.

• It will be the first playoff game at Soldier Field since the infamous "double doink" game in 2019.

Why it matters: The Bears bring the city and suburbs together like no other sports franchise.

State of play: Although the Bears lost another thriller yesterday, they rallied from 16 points down to almost pull out the improbable victory. The Lions kicked a game-ending field goal to win.

• Even with the loss, they secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs because the Commanders defeated the Eagles.

What they're saying: "We have a new season on the horizon," head coach Ben Johnson told reporters after the game.

• "Our guys should be reinvigorated by that."

Zoom out: Even with two straight losses to finish the regular season, fans are excited to see a competitive team after years of losing.

• The Bears have been mired in a long rebuild, finishing in last place in the NFC North for the past three seasons.
• The change started when the Bears hired Johnson, who has breathed life into the offense, winning the division for the first time since the 2018 season.
• His intensity has been infectious, with electrifying post-game locker room speeches, sometimes delivered shirtless.

By the numbers: Quarterback Caleb Williams broke the Bears' all-time passing record (3,942 yards) but fell short of becoming the first 4,000-yard passer in franchise history.

The intrigue: The Bears and the Packers split their season matchups, but both games were decided on the last play, making the Saturday night playoff game a must-watch.

How to watch: Playoff tickets are at a premium at Soldier Field, with verified resale tickets in the 400 level already going for more than $600.

Yes, but: The city will be flush with various watch parties ranging from downtown sports bars to suburban restaurants to neighborhood dive bars.

The bottom line: There is nothing like playoff football in Chicago.