Lions vs Bears
A historic NFC North rivalry between two of the NFL's oldest franchises.
The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL, dating back to the Lions' early years in Detroit. The Lions franchise originated as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1928, joined the NFL in 1930, and moved to Detroit in 1934 under new owner George A. Richards. The Lions won their first NFL Championship in 1935, and their most successful era came in the 1950s, winning three championships (1952, 1953, 1957).
Lore & Background
The rivalry with the Bears has been marked by close division battles. In the Lions' inaugural 1934 season in Detroit, they started with a 10-game win streak but lost their last three games, including to the Bears, finishing second in the Western Division behind Chicago. The Lions and Bears competed for division titles throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with the Lions often finishing behind the Bears and Packers. In the 1950s, the Lions swept their division rivals Chicago and Green Bay in four consecutive weeks during their 1953 championship season.
Reader's Guide
The Lions and Bears have met regularly since the Lions moved to Detroit in 1934. The Bears are based in Chicago, which is southwest of Detroit. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving every season since 1934 except during World War II, and the Bears have been frequent opponents in those games. The rivalry intensified during the 1950s when both teams were contenders in the Western Conference.
Did You Know?
- George A. Richards purchased the Spartans for $8,000 and moved them to Detroit in 1934, renaming them the Lions.
- The Lions won their first NFL Championship in 1935, defeating the New York Giants 26–7.
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