In two games against the Bears last season, Ahman Green combined for 256 yards rushing and three TDs.
With a Christmas Eve game at the Metrodome followed by a trip to Soldier Field, the Green Bay Packers will have to finish their 2004 season with back-to-back road games against NFC North opponents.
Opening the season at the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers on ABC's Monday Night Football, September 13, the Packers will then face the Chicago Bears in their home opener at Lambeau Field.
The Packers will also face off against the Bears in the regular-season finale, one week after meeting the Minnesota Vikings, December 24, in what will be the NFL's first regular-season Friday game since 1999.
The Packers haven't had to finish the season with consecutive road games since 1989 and haven't had to finish with consecutive road games against division opponents since 1985.
Meanwhile, the Packers will continue a trend with the NFL-maximum three games on ABC's Monday Night Football. In addition to the season-opener at Carolina, the Packers will host the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams in Monday night games at Lambeau Field.
Did You Know?
The Packers have played 18 previous home openers vs. Chicago. The last nine have included some significant landmarks in team history:
Sept. 29, 1957: Packers win 21-17 in first game in Lambeau Field history.
Sept. 28, 1958: Packers lose 34-20 as Bears kick off worst season in Green Bay history: 1-10-1.
]Sept. 27, 1959: Packers win 9-6 in Vince Lombardi's first career game as head coach.
Sept. 25, 1960: Packers lose 17-14 as Bears score 17 unanswered fourth quarter points.
Sept. 15, 1963: Packers lose 10-3 in one of only two home losses to the Bears by Lombardi (also in 1960).
Sept. 13, 1964: Packers win 23-12 as Paul Hornung kicks off season after missing the 1963 campaign due to suspension for gambling.
Sept. 21, 1969: Packers win 17-0 in Packers' fourth shutout of Bears during 1960s.
Sept. 7, 1980: Packers win 12-6 in overtime as kicker Chester Marcol catches deflection of a blocked field goal attempt and races 25 yards for game-winning touchdown.
Sept. 1, 1997: Packers win 38-24 on Monday Night Football, sparking a Super Bowl season.
