In a game that will surely affect the NFL playoff picture, the Green Bay Packers (9-4) face off against the Chicago Bears (8-5) at Soldier Field on Sunday. While the Packers have continued to flourish over the past few months on its way to a postseason position, the same can't be said about the struggling Bears.

The red-hot Packers will aim to clinch the North with its sixth straight win over Chicago. Until last week, the Bears were either leading the division or sitting atop it. After the fifth week of the season, Chicago was sporting a 4-1 mark while Green Bay was at 2-3.

However, the Packers went on to win seven out of its next eight while the Bears have lost four of five since its dominating first half. Green Bay then overtook the division with a 27-20 defeat of Detroit and Chicago's 21-14 loss at the hands of Minnesota last week.

The Packers have won two consecutive games at Soldier Field and have outperformed the Bears by a 116-65 margin in their last five matchups. Green Bay last took consecutive division championships from the years 2002-2004.

"The division is the first goal. We can wrap things up (Sunday). It's a tough opponent, a tough place to play, a lot on the line," coach Mike McCarthy told ESPN.

On the other hand, the Bears are hoping that playing against its rival can give them the motivation needed to pull out a victory and remain in the playoff pictures.

"If you need a game coming up to really motivate you to play your best football, it should be your rival with Green Bay coming in," coach Lovie Smith stated to the Bears official website.

CLICK HERE to watch the Green Bay Packers face off against the Chicago Bears via free live stream. Coverage of the NFL showdown is set to begin at 12 p.m. CST on Dec. 16.

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