Packers vs. Bears Announced as Opening-Night Game for NFL's 100th Season

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will clash in the 2019 NFL season opener on Thursday, Sept. 5, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

It's only fitting that one of the NFL's oldest and most classic rivalries would kick off its 100th season. 

The Packers and Bears split last season's series, although the Bears went on to win the NFC North while the Packers missed the postseason entirely.

The Bears feature one of the NFL's most suffocating defenses led by sack machine Khalil Mack, while the Packers are looking to rebuild around superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers under new head coach Matt LaFleur.

The rivalry dates back to Nov. 27, 1921, when Chicago won 20-0, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com. Since then, the Packers hold the slightest of edges in the historic rivalry, with a 97-95-6 record against the Bears.

The two teams also have won the most NFL championships in history. Green Bay has won 13 in total (four Super Bowl titles), while the Bears are second with nine (one Super Bowl title). Both teams were members of the original NFL before it merged with the AFL in 1966. 

The Bears were one of the charter members of the NFL when it formed in 1920, although they were known as the Decatur Staleys at the time. The Packers were formed in 1919 but began playing in the NFL in 1921.