It’s a rivalry that goes back nine decades. It’s been passed down in families, generation after generation. It defines the character of these football-loving towns.

It’s the rivalry between Darien, IL, and Oak Creek, WI.

OK, OK, so maybe that’s not quite true. 

But here at Patch, we thought it would be fun for the towns to place a friendly wager on the outcome of Sunday’s historic matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. 

Darien Mayor Kathleen Weaver agreed to wear Packers gear for an afternoon if Green Bay wins the game, while Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender will don a Bears jersey if the right team, er, I mean, Chicago wins. (We'll be sure to document the whole thing with pictures.)

Bolender predicted a seven-point Packers victory.

"It's going to be a close game, but I think the Packers will win," he said. "I could see them winning by seven points, maybe less. We'll see what happens."

But Weaver said she’s confident the Bears will clinch the NFC title Sunday at Soldier Field. The lifelong Bears fan said she admires the deep connection the two teams share. 

“Even though we’ll be great enemies on the field Sunday, we share a great history together,” she said.