It's here, Bears fans. A game that no one could have expected in the first week of the season, when the Bears squeaked by the Lions and the Packers took out the Eagles.
But it's here. Chicago has a chance to make the Super Bowl, and to do it, they have to get through the most loathsome of teams -- the Green Bay Packers.
- Special teams are an edge: Today's game could come down to special teams, an area where the Bears have the edge. Why does Chicago have such an effective special teams unit? The expectations are set high, and the players meet them.
- Welcome to the world: Earl Bennett missed practice for a pretty good reason on Wednesday. He was with his wife for the birth of his son on Wednesday, Earl, Jr. It's been a week of birthdays for the Bears, as Julius Peppers turned 31 on Tuesday.
- Bringing some 1985 magic: Richard Dent, the MVP from Super Bowl XX and a finalist for the NFL Hall of Fame, will serve as an honorary captain for the Bears.
- Infirmary: Chris Harris is listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, but is expected to play. Desmond Clark, who has been inactive for much of the season, also tweeted that he expects to suit up on Sunday. The Packers had 12 players listed on their injury report, but only Frank Zombo is expected to sit.
- All is well: According to the NFL, the condition of Soldier Field is in "good shape." To combat the frigid temperatures, heating coils underneath the field have been working, and the field has been covered in a tarp with hot air blowing underneath it.
- Who is the best on D? Two of the league's best defensive players will be on the field Sunday. Green Bay's Clay Matthews was named the Sporting News' defensive player of the year, while Sports Illustrated's Peter King gave that title to Julius Peppers, but who is better? Peppers, according to several NFL insiders. His size and speed make him a nightmare for match-ups.
- Money, money, money: The Bears making it to the NFC Championship game has been a boon for local business. Everyone from bars to TV sellers have seen an uptick in business.
- It's nature! The bears at Brookfield Zoo were given a cheesehead to play with. Fittingly, they demolished it.
- Weather: At kickoff, it's expected to be 16 degrees, with little wind.
- History lesson: By now, you know that despite their long history, the Bears and Pack have only met up once in the playoffs. Chicago won the game that was just a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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