Don't look now, but even though the 2010 NFL season has barely begun, the Packers-Bears rivalry is wasting no time creating a special buzz — both locally and nationally.

When these two longtime division rivals square off on a national stage on Soldier Field next Monday night, the ratings could be off the charts in Chicago and Green Bay for a game with all kinds of scintillating subplots.

In one corner, you've got the mighty Packers, considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders by many league observers after their blazing second-half effort in 2009. While they were far from perfect in their victories over the Eagles on the road and at home against Buffalo, they definitely played well enough to sustain their elite status in league circles.

In the other corner, you've got the upstart Bears, coming off an exhilarating win on the road against Dallas that has raised eyebrows to the rafters leaguewide and rejuvenated their skeptical but ever-faithful fan base.

When Lovie Smith, widely believed to be on the hot seat entering the regular season, was first hired as the Bears' head coach, the first statement he made was that his No. 1 goal was to beat up on the Packers. After making an early statement in "Big D," the Bears have a shot at really making some noise if they can carve up their neighbors to the north and establish themselves as a team that must be taken very seriously this season.

You want star power? Look at gun-slinging QBs Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler for starters, and then add high-profile defenders like the Bears' Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher and the Packers' Clay Matthews to the mix. Despite missing much of training camp with a hamstring injury, Matthews in particular has been flat-out unreal up to now.

And let's not forget new Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who figures to have all kinds of tricks up his sleeve for the equally clever Dom Capers, his defensive counterpart in Green Bay.

The Packers' first matchup this season against the Bears is still six days away. But there's no denying the electricity that is building for a highly anticipated showdown few expected to be as captivating as it has suddenly become.