This Bears-Packers coaching rivalry could be special

One sad reality of being a Bears fan is anyone younger than 50 does not have strong memories of the team's single Super Bowl victory.

And anyone younger than 40 does not know a world where the Bears weren't dominated by the Packers.

Has a new era finally arrived? The Bears were used as a throw rug during a pitiful first half but somehow climbed back into it and actually beat Green Bay in a playoff game 31-27.

The Chicago-Wisconsin rivalry needed this. It was getting to be a joke. The Cubs at least got to Game 5 against the Brewers this fall, but still a brutal loss symbolically. Even the Bulls, their last time in the real playoffs, lost to the Bucks.

Now, when Chicago sports fans to drive up to Mars Cheese Castle to pick up a cheese log and some Danish Kringles, there's no need to shrug your shoulders at the cashier on the way out. A quick head nod will suffice, express sympathy if you're feeling a little salty.

One way to view Saturday's playoff game was to settling which young quarterback has the best chance at leading the NFL's next dynasty, Caleb Williams or Jordan Love.

Both made some great plays, it was just that Love did most of his damage in the first half, while Williams was clutch late. The fourth-down throw to Rome Odunze in the fourth quarter, while under pressure and scrambling to his left, might have been the best of his pro career.

But maybe it's the coaching rivalry that matters. When the game ended, Ben Johnson and Green Bay's Matt LaFleur met at midfield for less than a second. Williams and Love hugged when the game was over.

There's been some debate about a potential feud between Johnson and LaFleur. During his introductory news conference, Johnson was naturally asked about playing the Packers and said he “kind of enjoyed beating LaFleur twice a year” in his previous job of Lions offensive coordinator.

Just last week, Johnson took another perceived jab at LaFleur with a reference to “Some teams, they rest their starters. We don't.” Green Bay rested starters in the regular season finale against Minnesota, but was locked into the seventh seed, so why wouldn't they?

Two great offensive minds when at it, and it appeared Johnson was going to get knocked out, based on failed fourth-down calls alone.

Every time the Packers landed in scoring position, LaFleur had a perfect call ready. For his first touchdown, LaFleur got his best receiver, Christian Watson, in a foot race with Nick McCloud, an easy victory.

For the second touchdown, Naperville Central grad Jayden Reed tricked linebacker Tremaine Edmunds into guarding by stopping for a short pass, then spinning and sprinting for the end zone.

LaFleur brought back Watson across the formation for the fourth-and-one that ended with the cartwheel fumble into the end zone. The snapshot of the Bears season might be safety Kevin Byard shielding his eyes to avoid getting his in the face by Watson's foot. That's why he didn't see the loose ball in time to recover it.

The eventual touchdown was also a smart design, using formation and motion to get the Bears to get in each others' way, while Romeo Doubs caught the easy TD pass.

Somehow, though, LaFleur had no answers for the Bears defense in the second half. Meanwhile, Johnson got off the mat and swung back.

The basic plan was to challenge Packers linebackers to cover tight end Colston Loveland. Johnson came up with a couple winners at the end, first by hiding D'Andre Swift on the line of scrimmage before jumping out for a flat pass, then the pump-and-go to D.J. Moore for the game-winner.

Maybe the curdling will last for years.