So, you’re looking for the packer game on sunday what time? It’s the question every Cheesehead asks when January rolls around and the playoff intensity hits that fever pitch. But here is the thing that might sting a little: if you’re looking for a Green Bay kickoff this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you won’t find one.
The Packers' postseason journey hit a massive roadblock last week.
Last Saturday, January 10, the Packers headed into Soldier Field for a Wild Card showdown against the Chicago Bears. It was one of those classic, gut-wrenching NFC North battles that probably shaved a few years off your life if you watched it live. Green Bay fought hard, but the Bears pulled out a 31-27 victory. Because the NFL playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, that loss effectively ended the Packers' 2025-2026 season.
The Sunday Schedule Without the Packers
Since Green Bay is out, the NFL Divisional Round is moving forward without them. If you still have that football itch and want to see who might be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, there are two massive games happening this Sunday.
Even though there isn't a packer game on sunday what time to track for Green Bay fans, the league is still very much in motion.
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch it on ESPN and ABC. It’s a classic AFC clash.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the game that would have featured the Packers had they won last week. Instead, it’s the Bears hosting the Rams at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
Watching the Bears play in the slot that "should" have been the Packers' is a bit like watching your ex show up to a party with someone else. It's tough. But from a scouting perspective, it’s worth seeing how the NFC North champion Bears hold up against a high-powered Rams offense led by a veteran like Matthew Stafford.
Why Green Bay Isn't Playing Today
It basically comes down to a few plays at the end of that Wild Card game. Jordan Love and the offense had a chance late in the fourth quarter, but the Bears' defense, which has been surprisingly stout this season under Ben Johnson's coaching influence, held firm.
The Packers finished the regular season with a 9-7-1 record. They were the No. 7 seed, the "underdogs" who snuck in, which meant they had to play on the road for the entirety of their playoff run. While they showed flashes of brilliance—specifically that mid-season stretch where Christian Watson looked unstoppable—the consistency just wasn't there to make a deep January run this time around.
What’s Next for the Green Bay Packers?
Since there is no packer game on sunday what time to worry about for the rest of this month, the focus in Title Town has already shifted to the 2026 off-season. Honestly, the front office has a lot of work to do.
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The 2026 opponents have already been determined based on the final 2025 standings. Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North, they are slated to face a challenging schedule next year.
2026 Home Opponents:
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
- New Orleans Saints
- Atlanta Falcons
2026 Road Opponents:
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- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Los Angeles Rams
It’s a gauntlet. Facing the AFC East and the NFC South means seeing teams like the Falcons and the rising Jets. Plus, traveling to face the Rams in SoFi Stadium is never an easy task.
The 2026 Draft and Roster Moves
Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst are going to be under the microscope. Last year, the big story was the Packers finally drafting a wide receiver in the first round—Matthew Golden out of Texas. He had a solid rookie campaign, but the defense still feels like it’s missing a piece or two in the secondary.
The "Packer game on Sunday" might be off the table for now, but the NFL Combine and Free Agency are just around the corner. If you're a fan who lives and breathes Green Bay football, these are actually the most important months for ensuring next January looks different.
Actionable Next Steps for Packers Fans
Since you don't have to plan your Sunday around a kickoff time today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Review the 2026 Opponents List: Look at the home/away split and start thinking about which road games might be worth a trip. A game in New Orleans or Los Angeles sounds a lot better than a frozen Lambeau in December.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on any defensive staff changes. After the Wild Card exit, there's always chatter about how to tighten up the scheme.
- Check the Salary Cap: Sites like OverTheCap provide a breakdown of who might be a "cap casualty" this Spring. This will tell you which veterans might be playing elsewhere next year.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Rams-Bears game today at 6:30 PM ET. It gives you a direct look at the division rival you'll have to beat twice next year to avoid another Wild Card road trip.
The road back to the Super Bowl starts now. It’s a bummer there’s no Green Bay football today, but in the NFL, the off-season moves are what determine who’s still playing when the snow starts falling next January.