Packers vs. Bears on opening day? Say it ain't so· Page 2

get_louder_at_lambeau
Registered

14 years ago

This is a ratings-driven league, and that matchup probably won't be a marquee pull for the league.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

I don't know where this idea came from, but it's totally, totally wrong.

The Packer/Bear Monday night game last year was the highest rated cable program of the year, and the NFC Championship was the highest rated ever for an NFCC in the early TV slot.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/24/packers-bears-nfc-championship-on-fox-averages-51-9-million-viewers/79980

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=5627301

http://packersnews.net

StoicFire
Member

14 years ago

#12

The Packer/Bear Monday night game last year was the highest rated cable program of the year, and the NFC Championship was the highest rated ever for an NFCC in the early TV slot.

"get_louder_at_lambeau" wrote:

Good call with those ratings! I somehow forgot about that when I started commenting on this thread.

The numbers seem to suggest that either people don't mind low scoring affairs, or they really respect this rivalry. Though I know it could also be partly due to the fact that NFL popularity is rising nation and world wide, but still... ratings don't lie, so it looks this is a desirable season opening match-up from the league's perspective.

"the Quarterback can run if he wants to, but with this rocket attached to your body... who would?" -Aaron Rodgers

porky88
Veteran Member

14 years ago

#13

I would pencil in Saints at Packers. Theyre the last two Super Bowl champions with the two best QBs arguably in the NFC. Not only would it pull high ratings, but also the weather should be nice and that would allow both QBs to showcase their talents.

Bears at Packers should be November and December games. It just feels right.

With that said, you would think the Packers benefit from playing Chicago early in the season. Then again, GB won last year's December and January matchups and loss the September matchup. So maybe not.

http://www.row12.com/

Wade
Veteran Member

14 years ago

#14

Well, if I were an NFL type trying to max the bottom line, I wouldn't waste the Packers/Bears on the opening game.

I'd pick a game that involves two serious contenders, but if you're going contender game, then I'd avoid rivalry games. Rivalry games can be marketed any week, especially early in the season. (Sometimes not late in the season if, say, the Bears, turn out to be bumblers.)

I'd pick a game of possible contenders OR a game of rivals. But not a game that, at lest potentially, could involve both. Its a waste of resources.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

beast
Select Member

14 years ago

#15

I prefer key match ups be later on... Also Packers seem to usually start slow and then get better as the season goes on. (some seasons like 07 weren't like that, but I think most have been for a while).

But I guess you got to have one division game early...

Off subject a bit but is anyone else a bit worried about facing the Lions?
wow how strange to say that... but they did out muscle and game planed better last time they faced.

Greg C.
Registered

14 years ago

#16

This is a ratings-driven league, and that matchup probably won't be a marquee pull for the league.

"get_louder_at_lambeau" wrote:

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

No kidding! The author mentions that the average score of last year's games was 16-12. That means they were CLOSE games, and that's what fans want to see. Although nobody wants to watch a low scoring game between two teams that don't matter, when it's a close game involving two of the most popular teams in the league, who are both contenders, this is a slam-dunk from a ratings standpoint.

Wade is the only one who cites a good reason for not opening with this game, which is that the matchup may be too good to waste on a game that almost everyone is going to watch anyway. I happen to favor Packers-Saints slightly, just to mix things up a bit, but you can't go wrong with Packers-Bears.

The author's idea of Packers-Lions is of course ridiculous. The nation is force-fed Lions football every Thanksgiving. The Lions need to have at least one good season before they play in a marquee game like this.

blank

djcubez
Senior Member

14 years ago

#17

"Next year at home, the Packers will play New Orleans (11-5), Tampa Bay (10-6), Denver (4-12), Oakland (8-8) and St. Louis (7-9)." Plus the 3 divisional teams.

Out of all those match-ups I'd easily take the Bears. I'd probably rather see them open against the Falcons like Silverstein said but that's an away game. I also agree that the Saints don't seem to be the powerhouse they used to be making that match-up more of a wild card. Bears-Packers games are usually a safe bet for a close game so it's the easy pick.

porky88
Veteran Member

14 years ago

#18

Off subject a bit but is anyone else a bit worried about facing the Lions?
wow how strange to say that... but they did out muscle and game planed better last time they faced.

"beast" wrote:

I believe the Lions are going to playoffs this year. And that defense is going to be the reason why.

http://www.row12.com/

Stevetarded
Registered

14 years ago

#19

"djcubez" wrote:

I'm all for a close game as long as it is well played and tough. Packer/Bear games while close are sloppy and ugly. Not very fun to watch IMO. While the Saints may not seem like a powerhouse anymore the Bears never really seemed that way at all.

blank

TOPackerFan
Registered

14 years ago

#20

The downside to this is that we probably then go to Soldier Field in December/January. The NFL is trying to have meaningful division games at the end of the year and I don't think either Queens game will have much meaning this year and Packers Lions is probably a year away from being a really big game. That being said, the home schedule this year doesn't have many games worthy of the openeing Thursday nighter other than the Bears or Saints, so it's at least 50-50 we open at home against the Bears.

Show me a good loser, I'll show you a loser - Vince

Important Information:

The PACKERSHOME uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More Details Close

Fan Shout

Mucky Tundra (12h) : And James Flanigan is the grandson of Packers Super Bowl winner Jim Flanigan Sr.

Mucky Tundra (12h) : Jerome Bettis and Jim Flanigans sons as well!

Zero2Cool (19h) : Thomas Davis Jr is OLB, not WR. Oops.

Zero2Cool (19h) : Larry Fitzgeral and Thomas Davis sons too. WR's as well.

Mucky Tundra (5-Jul) : Kaydon Finley, son of Jermichael Finley, commits to Notre Dame

dfosterf (3-Jul) : Make sure to send my props to him! A plus move!

Zero2Cool (3-Jul) : My cousin, yes.

dfosterf (3-Jul) : That was your brother the GB press gazette referenced with the red cross draft props thing, yes?

Zero2Cool (2-Jul) : Packers gonna unveil new throwback helmet in few weeks.

Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : I know it's Kleiman but this stuff writes itself

Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : "Make sure she signs the NDA before asking for a Happy Ending!"

Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : @NFL_DovKleiman Powerful: Deshaun Watson is taking Shedeur Sanders 'under his wing' as a mentor to the Browns QBs

Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Dolphins get (back) Minkah Fitzpatrick in trade

Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Steelers land Jalen Ramsey via Trade

dfosterf (26-Jun) : I think it would be great to have someone like Tom Grossi or Andy Herman on the Board of Directors so he/they could inform us

dfosterf (26-Jun) : Fair enough, WPR. Thing is, I have been a long time advocate to at least have some inkling of the dynamics within the board.

wpr (26-Jun) : 1st world owners/stockholders problems dfosterf.

Martha Careful (25-Jun) : I would have otherwise admirably served

dfosterf (25-Jun) : Also, no more provision for a write-in candidate, so Martha is off the table at least for this year

dfosterf (25-Jun) : You do have to interpret the boring fine print, but all stockholders all see he is on the ballot

dfosterf (25-Jun) : It also says he is subject to another ballot in 2028. I recall nothing of this nature with Murphy

dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy is on my ballot subject to me penciling him in as a no.

dfosterf (25-Jun) : I thought it used to be we voted for the whatever they called the 45, and then they voted for the seven, and then they voted for Mark Murphy

dfosterf (25-Jun) : Because I was too lazy to change my address, I haven't voted fot years until this year

dfosterf (25-Jun) : of the folks that run this team. I do not recall Mark Murphy being subject to our vote.

dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy yay or nay is on the pre-approved ballot that we always approve because we are uninformed and lazy, along with all the rest

dfosterf (25-Jun) : Weird question. Very esoteric. For stockholders. Also lengthy. Sorry. Offseason.

Zero2Cool (25-Jun) : Maybe wicked wind chill made it worse?

Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : And then he signs with Cleveland in the offseason

Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : @SharpFootball WR Diontae Johnson just admitted he refused to enter a game in 41° weather last year in Baltimore because he felt “ice cold”

Zero2Cool (24-Jun) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.

Zero2Cool (23-Jun) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.

Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH

beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.

Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law

Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter

Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter

Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp

dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night

dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60

dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO

Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m

dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions

dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing

Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.

dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup

dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw

dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.

Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.

Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.

Please sign in to use Fan Shout

2025 Packers Schedule

Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM

LIONS

Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM

COMMANDERS

Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM

Browns

Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM

Cowboys

Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM

BENGALS

Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM

Cardinals

Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM

Steelers

Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM

PANTHERS

Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM

EAGLES

Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM

Giants

Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM

VIKINGS

Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM

Lions

Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM

BEARS

Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM

Broncos

Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM

Bears

Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM

RAVENS

Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM

Vikings