GREEN BAY, Wis. — Eleven straight times when they’ve played each other, the Green Bay Packers have beaten the Chicago Bears.

Sunday’s 20-19 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago was uniquely sweet because the Packers seemed to be on the verge of losing.

Karl Brooks and the Packers’ special teams saved the day when the 46-yard potential game-winning field goal attempt by Cairo Santos of the Bears was blocked in the final seconds.

The thoughts of dropping to 6-4 with a gut-wrenching loss to the archrivals were immediately replaced by the emotions of joy and euphoria.

The Packers certainly made enough mistakes to lose this game. But they didn’t. 

They’re now 7-3. The Bears are 4-6 and still haven’t won since the Hail Mary debacle in Washington.

On a day where the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings posted victories, the Packers didn’t lose any ground in the NFC North Division. Seven games remain in the season.

The Packers are well-positioned to make the playoffs. The Bears will contemplate whether it’s time for yet another regime chance. The slim margin that separates winners and losers in the NFL never seemed so stark.