The first game of the 2019 NFL season might be a showdown between the league’s two longest-running rivals.
According to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are “likely” to open next season with a Thursday night game at Soldier Field.
The NFL will celebrate its 100th year anniversary in 2019. The league is expected to run a two-minute commercial during the Super Bowl to hype the year-long celebration. It’s possible the ad could include some kind of teaser to the season’s opening game, although the NFL schedule is generally completed in April.
The Bears will also celebrate their 100th season in 2019.
Last season, the Packers and Bears opened with a Sunday night game at Lambeau Field, which kicked off the Packers’ 100th season celebration. The hosts came back from a 20-0 deficit to win, 24-23, in a thrilling finish. The Bears repaid the favor in December, ending the Packers’ season with a win at Soldier Field.
The game would be the first in head-coaching career of Matt LaFleur, who replaced Mike McCarthy. Back in 2006, McCarthy lost his first ever game to the Bears, a 26-0 defeat at Lambeau Field.
The meeting will be the 199th in the rivalry. The Packers lead the series, 97-95-6.
