Bears coach Ben Johnson’s postgame handshakes with Packers coach Matt LaFleur (somehow) keep getting shorter

Bears coach Ben Johnson said when he took the job that one of the perks was he could continue his hobby of beating Packers coach Matt LaFleur. He did that in his debut season by splitting their two games in the regular season and winning Saturday in their playoff game. The Bears stormed back from a 21-3 hole to beat the Packers 31-27 and advance to host the Eagles or Rams in the divisional round.

Johnson and LaFleur’s first meeting was at Lambeau Field in early December, a 28-21 Packers win, and their postgame handshake was as frigid as the weather.

It was even more tense Saturday. LaFleur appeared to say, “Good job,” as he approached Johnson, and Johnson didn’t even stop. He shook LaFleur’s hand as he ran elsewhere and pulled LaFleur into a Packers staffer.

Here’s a highlight reel of all three of their exchanges in Johnson’s first season in the rivalry:

Johnson certainly had a target on LaFleur the week leading up to their wild-card game.

After the Bears lost their regular-season finale to the Lions, Johnson remarked that, “Some teams, they rest their starters. We don’t. We play football.” The Bears had gone all out in that game, whereas the Packers sat their key players in their final regular-season game against the Vikings. That comment was up for interpretation, but Johnson’s thoughts on the Packers overlooking the Bears on Saturday were undeniable meant to get LaFleur’s attention.

“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start the week, which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike,” Johnson said. “This one meant something to us.”