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Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat rushes Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago. John J. Kim, Chicago Tribune/TNS
CHICAGO — After a two-year hiatus, the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry is returning to prime time — and the Bears also will be playing on Black Friday.
Fox Sports announced Monday that the Bears will host the Packers at Soldier Field in Week 16 on Saturday, Dec. 20, as the NFL began a slow trickle of releasing marquee games in advance of Wednesday’s release of the complete 2025 schedule. The game will be played at 3:30 or 6 p.m. CT.
And Amazon announced later Monday that Prime Video will televise the Bears’ visit to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13 at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. This is the third consecutive year Prime Video will stream an NFL game on “Black Friday,” and it will be the Bears’ first Friday game since a 31-17 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 16, 1966.
The Bears completed the 2024 season with a 24-22 upset of the Packers on Jan. 5 at Lambeau Field as Cairo Santos nailed a 51-yard field goal on the final play. The victory ended a 10-game losing streak for the Bears and sent them into an offseason of considerable change.
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Packers defensive end Rashan Gary sacks Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on Jan. 5 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune/TNS
With new coach Ben Johnson and his staff, a rebuilt offensive line and optimism for the development of quarterback Caleb Williams in his second season, the Bears are gaining interest in the NFC North, arguably the best division in the league last season.
The Bears and Packers played in prime time once annually from 2006 through 2022, a span of 17 consecutive seasons, before playing only afternoon games in 2023 and 2024. The Packers have won the last seven meetings at night.
The last time the Bears defeated the Packers in prime time at Soldier Field was a 20-17 victory on “Monday Night Football” in Week 3 of 2010 as Robbie Gould connected on two short field goals in the final four minutes.
The Bears have lost five consecutive meetings with the Eagles, with the last win coming by a 30-24 score in Week 9 of 2011 in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ road game against the Washington Commanders also will air on Fox on Dec. 20.
By playing on Saturday in Week 16, it’s possible that increases the chances the Bears are selected to play in Week 17 on Christmas, which is Thursday, Dec. 25.
In addition to the standard home and away NFC North games, the Bears will play the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at home. They have road games against the Eagles, Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.
It’s worth wondering if the Bears-Commanders game is selected for Christmas.
The NFL will release the complete schedule at 7 p.m. Wednesday, which was not in time to meet press deadlines.
Photos: Remembering Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus 2016
Dick Butkus 2016
Former NFL player Dick Butkus announces that the Chicago Bears selects Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair as the 56th pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus holds his bust at enshrinement ceremonies at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, July 28, 1979. MADELINE DREXLER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus 2019
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus 2019
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus is interviewed on the field during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Bears and Philadelphia EaglesSunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Chicago. NAM Y. HUH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Gale Sayers Football
Obit Gale Sayers Football
In this June 19, 1970, file photo. Chicago Bears teammates of Brian Piccolo carry his coffin into Christ the King Church for funeral services in Chicago. From left, front to back, are Randy Jackson, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayer. Ed O'Bradovich is at right. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears Butkus 1970
Bears Butkus 1970
Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses for a photo in 1970. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus watches during the first half of an NFL football game between the Bears and the New York Giants in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2019. PAUL SANCYA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Chicago Bears' Lee Roy Caffee (60), Dick Butkus (51) and Phil Clark (39) try to stop Green Bay Packers' John Hilton (86) after a pass reception during an NFL football game Nov. 15, 1970, in Green Bay, Wis. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Illinois' Dick Butkus, top, and Rich Callaghan, bottom, try to tackle Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vanderkelen (15) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Nov. 17, 1962, in Champaign. LARRY STODDARD, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses with fans during the team's NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10, 2023, in Chicago. NAM Y. HUH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears Commanders Football
Bears Commanders Football
Scoreboard displays the image of Hall of Fame Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus during a moment of silence before the start of the first half of an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Md. ALEX BRANDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, center, waits for the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft with former players, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, ASSOCIATED PRESS
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