It was supposed to be a blowout. Most people watching the first half of the Wild Card matchup on January 10, 2026, probably thought about switching channels. By halftime, the Green Bay score NFL fans were staring at was a dominant 21-3 lead for the Packers. Jordan Love looked like a surgeon, the defense was suffocating, and the Chicago Bears looked like they’d forgotten how to play football in their own stadium.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
In what will go down as one of the most heartbreaking collapses in Green Bay history, the Packers watched an 18-point lead evaporate. The final score—Chicago 31, Green Bay 27—doesn't even begin to describe the chaos at Soldier Field. Honestly, if you're a Packers fan, this one is going to sting for a long, long time.
The Wild Card Heartbreak: Breaking Down the Final Numbers
The Packers ended their 2025-2026 campaign with a 9-7-1 record, sneaking into the playoffs as the 7th seed for the third straight year. They came into this game as underdogs despite the early lead.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half was a masterclass. Jordan Love was throwing darts. He connected with Christian Watson for a 7-yard score, then Jayden Reed for 18, and finally Romeo Doubs just before the half. It was 21-3. The vibes were immaculate.
But football is a four-quarter game, and the fourth quarter was a nightmare. Chicago outscored Green Bay 25-6 in the final frame.
👉 See also: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
- Final Score: Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
- Key Stat: The Bears scored 15 unanswered points in the final six minutes.
- The Turning Point: A missed 44-yard field goal by Brandon McManus that would have likely iced the game for Green Bay.
Caleb Williams, the Bears' young star, found DJ Moore for a 25-yard touchdown with only 1:43 left on the clock. Jordan Love tried to answer, driving the team into Chicago territory, but a fumbled snap on third down and a desperation heave into the end zone as time expired fell incomplete. Game over. Season over.
Why the Green Bay Score NFL Trended Downward Late in the Season
If we’re being real, this collapse didn't come out of nowhere. The Packers were 9-3-1 at one point and looked like contenders. Then, the wheels fell off.
Losing Micah Parsons to a torn ACL in Week 15 was the "beginning of the end" for the defense. Parsons, who the Packers acquired in a massive trade involving Kenny Clark and multiple first-round picks, was the soul of that unit. Without him, the pass rush vanished. Green Bay lost their last four regular-season games, including a dismal 16-3 loss to the Vikings in Week 18 where they barely moved the ball.
The Defensive Struggles
Jeff Hafley’s defense, which had been top-10 for most of the year, suddenly couldn't stop a nosebleed. In the playoff game, they let the Bears convert multiple fourth downs. They couldn't get off the field. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the defenders looked gassed.
Special Teams Woes
You can't talk about a Green Bay score without mentioning the kicking game. Brandon McManus missed an extra point earlier in the game and then that crucial 44-yarder. In a game decided by four points, those four missed points are the difference between moving on to the Divisional Round and heading home to Lambeau to pack up lockers.
✨ Don't miss: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents and Offseason Goals
So, what now? The Packers are officially in "fuel for the fire" mode. Coach Matt LaFleur was visibly frustrated in the post-game presser, noting that the team simply didn't execute when it mattered most.
The 2026 schedule is already set, and it’s a gauntlet. Because they finished second in the NFC North, they’ll face a mix of tough divisional rivals and out-of-conference powerhouses.
Home Games at Lambeau:
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings
- Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Road Trips:
- New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots, New York Jets
- Los Angeles Rams
The front office has their work cut out for them. The 2026 NFL Draft needs to focus on depth, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. The secondary was exposed during the late-season skid after Jaire Alexander’s departure earlier in the year.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Essential Takeaways for Packers Fans
While the 27-31 loss is a bitter pill to swallow, there are a few objective truths to carry into the offseason. Jordan Love is still "the guy." He finished the playoff game with 323 passing yards and three touchdowns. The offense, when healthy, is explosive.
To prevent another late-season collapse, the team must address these three areas:
- Late-Game Conditioning: The defense gave up 25 points in a single quarter. That’s a fitness and depth issue.
- Kicking Reliability: The Packers need a permanent solution at kicker. Leaving points on the board is a recipe for Wild Card exits.
- Red Zone Defense: In the final minutes, they couldn't force a field goal. It was touchdowns or nothing for Chicago.
The 2025 season was a roller coaster that ended in a ditch, but the foundation is there. The "Green Bay score NFL" alerts might be quiet for a few months, but the drama in the NFC North is just getting started.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the injury recovery of Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft (ACL). Their availability for the start of the 2026 training camp will dictate whether Green Bay remains a playoff threat or face a rebuilding year. Additionally, monitor the NFL Salary Cap updates in March; the Packers need to clear space to address their defensive secondary needs before the 2026 Draft.