I really thought this team was past the self-inflicted wound part of the season, but I think I gave the youngest team in the NFL too much credit. Another game with offensive futility, untimely turnovers and drops did the Packers in yet again, despite a valiant effort on a comeback bid that fell just short. Look, the Vikings deserve a ton of credit. They're excellent. From the play-calling, to the execution from Sam Darnold to the other side where Brian Flores has his team playing exceptionally, this is a Super Bowl caliber team.

And so ends the kudos to an NFC North opponent.

With the playoff bid set and seed looking more and more concrete, although not yet solidified, the Packers welcome in the most familiar of foes. And one who sure seems like it's dying for an abysmal, turbulent season to end. So let's raise up the Periscope and look at the past, present and near future of the Packers and Vikings.

The Past

This Sunday will mark meeting number 210 in the history of the Packers and Bears, which started on November 27, 1921 against the then-Chicago Staleys. Since then, it's been over 100 years of the most iconic rivalry in professional sports, one utterly dominated by one team in recent memory.

There are plenty of ways to spin the Packers recent dominance. Do I start with the Favre years? Or Rodgers? How about Holmgren or McCarthy? There are plenty of dominant runs over the Bears in the last 30 years. But the Packers are looking for number 12 in a row over the Monsters of the Midway on Sunday, the longest streak in the history of the rivalry. Think about that - the Packers are beating the Bears like they haven't in over 100 years of football. It's something to behold.

So for this week's look-back, I didn't want to choose one specific game, but just appreciate this rivalry for what it is. From George Halas using his funds to keep the team afloat, the Lumberjack Band invading Chicago and some of those smash-mouth games of the Lombardi years, this rivalry is one of my favorite things about being a Packer fan.

These two teams have been intertwined for so long, it's incredible they get to keep playing, twice a year, for what feels like forever. While I of course hope the Packers always win, the Chicago Bears are a team I respect and appreciate. Their role is integral to the existence of the Packers.

So instead of the litany of Packers wins I could choose from, I decided to go with Steve Sabol and an NFL Films This Is The NFL special from 1990. Hope you enjoy.

The Present

It's truly flabbergasting how derailing that Hail Mary loss was to the Bears down in Washington. And, given how the rest of the season has shaken out, kiiiiinda wish it wouldn't have happened given where the Packers are in the standings in relation to the Commanders. But that aside, the Bears were on the cusp of 5-2, feeling great about their young team and stout defense. And then? Tyrique Stevenson taunting the fans, then tipping the ball to Noah Brown for the most improbably game-winning touchdown and beginning of the Chicago Bears end in 2024.

Since then? Two coaches fired and TEN consecutive losses with each getting worse than the last. Gang, this team is in full-blown tailspin. But if they have anything left, you'd better believe they'll bring it this week.

Caleb Williams has struggled, but it's certainly not all his fault. While he does struggle to get rid of the ball, he gets absolutely zero help from his offensive line. But hey, Rome Odunze! Can he play left tackle? This team's a wreck in the trenches and should be a good opportunity for the Packers to get some momentum in getting to the quarterback.

As for the Packers, as I mentioned above, couldn't put the pieces together in Minnesota. Against the league's best, the Packers have come up small. But thankfully, the league's best will be next week. So I fully expect the Packers to come alive and bounce back, even with starters down all over the place.

The Future

Noon Lambeau Time, as the football gods intended. Lambeau Field will be ready to rock in this one in the team's 2024 home finale before taking to the road in the Wild Card round next week. It's gonna be cold this week, with a high of 19. Appropriate for this football game. Green Bay enters at 10-point favorites and to date, have beaten the teams they've been favored against and lost when they're dogs. So you do the math on this week.

With so many injuries on this Packers team, they'll be even more conservative than usual. So here's to hoping whoever does trot out there can get to an early lead and bring in the backups for the second half. This team, when healthy, is capable of beating anyone. And will need to be at their best when they go to Philly, LA or somewhere else next week.