In Waukesha, even retailers had reserved the day for the Pack.

Steinhafel’s was closed, as were other businesses, setting aside this special day to watch the Packers play long-time rival Chicago Bears for the National Conference Championship.

It seemed much of Waukesha was enjoying the game at home or someone’s house Sunday. Businesses that were open had people crowded around bars or TVs watching the game in a friendly, family atmosphere. At RJ's Sports Pub & Grill, S31 W24661 Sunset Drive, where they get a good turn out for Packer games, the customers enjoyed raffles and a buffet.

The game could not have started better for the Packers with a quick touchdown within minutes of the Bears ceding possession after winning the toss. As one Packer fan said, “Why would you let the other team have the ball?”

In hindsight, perhaps the Bears would have made a different decision.

Truth be told, after the beginning touchdown, Packer fans watched the game a bit complacently.

It wasn’t until the third and then fourth quarter that fans began to bite their nails. Worry rippled through fans after Aaron Rodgers was hit in the head.

Early in the fourth quarter, the crowd thought B.J. Raji cemented the lead with the interception that he triumphantly carried to the end zone but was sorely disappointed when the Bears stole a quick touchdown minutes later. But the Packers intercepted another throw and that was the end for the Bears.

Triumphant shouts of “Superbowl!” rang out before the game clock ended.

Enjoying the game at RJ’s was Aaron Rodger’s lookalike Neil Koppelman. After being asked to pose for a picture with another patron, Koppelman modestly said it wasn’t his intent to look like the Packer’s quarterback.

About the game, he said the team almost “almost gave it away” but managed to hold it together in the end.