Let’s pretend it’s January 23, 2036:

It was 25 years ago today that one of the most anticipated and spectacular games in NFL history was played at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears had more history then any other rivalry in the NFL, yet had only faced off in the playoffs once. On January 23, 2011, the Packers and Bears played in the NFC Championship for the Halas Trophy, a chance to move on to the Superbowl and a shot to win the Lombardi Trophy.

How fitting.

Trying to explain the pride, anxiety and ferocity surrounding the game, many people focused on the history. The great teams and players from Chicago and Green Bay that had already been cemented in NFL lure were hard to ignore. The ghosts of Vince Lombardi and George Halas surrounded the contest as thoughts of Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke could not be ignored.

Some wondered how the unstoppable force that was the Packers power sweep in the 60’s would fare against the vaunted 46 defense of the 1985 Bears. Would you rather have Walter Payton or Brett Favre? Would you rather play in cruel Soldier Field which presented many formidable challenges or play with the ghosts of Titletown in Lambeau Field? The debates went on forever, but the history of the two teams was not the reason the 2011 NFC Championship game became an instant classic. The story of the 2011 Bears and Packers was enough to make the hype machine roll on all cylinders.

Green Bay came into the season as a dangerous team that many expected to reach the Superbowl. The Bears entered the season looking like a third place team who would need help to make the playoffs. However, it was the No. 6 seeded Packers who traveled to Chicago to face the No. 2 seeded Bears. Even with that, Green Bay was still considered the favorite. Here is how it happened.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was entering his second season with the Bears after struggling the year before. Many had lost faith in the strong armed gunslinger, but under Mike Martz, Cutler was able to limit turnovers and became a true leader. The off season acquisition of Julius Peppers made a gigantic impact. Coupled with a healthy Brian Urlacher and aggressive Lance Briggs, it seemed the “Monsters of the Midway” had returned. You cannot forget about Devin Hester, the greatest return man in NFL history, who bounced back and was a game changer every time he touched the ball.

The Bears had failed to win a preseason game, but were strong out of the gate starting 3-0. Throughout the entire season Chicago was constantly doubted. People said they had a favorable schedule facing shaky quarterbacks, or simply got lucky at key moments. In the end, the Bears won 11 games and earned a first round bye. In the NFL, whoever has more points when time runs out wins, and the Bears were masters at finding many different ways to accomplish that task. They were a hard working bunch who thrived in the role of the underdog.

The Packers entered 2011 with a dynamic offense behind Aaron Rodgers, who became the first player in football history to have 4,000 yards passing in his first two seasons (Rodgers fell 78 yards short of making it three straight seasons). With the complex and dangerously efficient offense of head coach Mike McCarthy and a daunting receiving corps that included Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, the Packers looked too good to be true. Not too mention, Green Bay had one of the best defenses in the NFL behind the blitz packages of coordinator Dom Capers; all of which were executed to perfection by the likes of Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson and B.J. Raji.

Unfortunately for Green Bay, there biggest opponent was the injury. The Packers had an astonishing 15 players on Injured Reserve. Included were tight end Jermichael Finley, who was one of the biggest offensive threats, linebacker Nick Barnett, who was a defensive stalwart and a pro bowl caliber running back in Ryan Grant. Furthermore, the Packers were seven minutes away from being essentially eliminated from the playoffs in Week 15. An incredible Eagles’ comeback and punt return touchdown to end the game led to a Giants loss and Packers hope. Green Bay then had elimination games to end the season against the Giants and Bears. The Packers won both and snuck into the postseason as a sixth seed eventually beating the Eagles (3) and Falcons (1). No sixth seed had ever gone to the Superbowl in the NFC.

That is how it was meant to be. The first playoff game since 1941, let alone first NFC Championship game, between the two ultimate rivals was not played with either team breezing through the season. The pair were not the likely NFC Championship game matchup and had a rough road getting there. The Packers and the Bears both had wavering seasons that brought hope and despair depending on what week you talked to fans. Green Bay and Chicago earned the right to face off for a chance to be a champion. What a truly magical time it was.