Packers prepare for Bears rivalry showdown, debut special uniforms at Lambeau Field
GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) — The NFL's oldest rivalry returns to Lambeau Field on Sunday as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears at noon.
Green Bay enters the matchup looking for some redemption after last season's NFC wild-card loss to Chicago.
The Packers will also debut their new rivalry edition uniforms Sunday, a look that has already earned approval inside the locker room.
"I like them," Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd said. "I think they're cool. They're really nice. When I seen it, when I walked in the door this morning, I'm like, this is going to look fresh on the field."
The significance of the rivalry isn't lost on the players.
"I mean, they don't like us, we don't like them," Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks said. "It's been our rival for years and nothing's going to change, and that's just a game that you always want to win."
Packers safety Evan Williams echoed Brooks' sentiment.
"It's on sight," Williams said. "It's something that doesn't really have to be said. It's just a type of energy that you just got to put your hard hat on and be ready for a fight."
Green Bay hasn't lost three consecutive games to Chicago in 21 years, but that streak will be on the line Sunday.
One of the Packers' biggest challenges will be containing Chicago's rushing attack, led by running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
"They've got two really good backs," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. "You could argue it might be the best one-two combo in the league. We've got to build a wall, we've got to leverage the ball and we have to have multiple hats on the ball because these backs can make you miss."
Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie said the defense has emphasized discipline throughout the week.
"Just being intentional every rep, even walk-throughs, being super intentional, being gap-sound," McDuffie said. "A lineman assignment key is what we like to say, so just sticking to that."
Swift and Monangai have become the first Bears running back tandem in franchise history to each rush for more than 300 yards through the first four games of a season.
That could provide a significant test for a Green Bay defense looking to improve against the run.
The last time the Packers played at Lambeau Field, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns in Green Bay's home opener.
The Packers will need a stronger performance against the run Sunday if they hope to earn their first NFC North victory of the season and avoid a third consecutive loss to their longtime rival.