So, you’re looking for the kickoff time. You want to know what time do the green bay packers play sunday because, let’s be honest, Sundays in Wisconsin (and for the cheesehead diaspora) are basically a holy day of obligation. You’ve got the snacks ready. You’ve probably got the lucky jersey draped over the chair.
But there is a bit of a catch this week.
If you are looking for the Packers on the schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, you won’t find them. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the Packers' season actually ended last Saturday night at Soldier Field. They went into Chicago as the No. 7 seed and put up one hell of a fight, but they fell short against the Bears, 31-27. Caleb Williams happened. A fourth-quarter comeback for the ages knocked Green Bay out of the postseason during the Wild Card round.
It’s weird, right? Usually, by mid-January, we’re used to seeing the G on a helmet while the snow is flying. Instead, this Sunday belongs to the teams moving on to the Divisional Round.
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The NFL Divisional Schedule: Who Is Playing Sunday?
Since the Packers aren't taking the field, the NFL has filled that Sunday, January 18 slot with two massive matchups. If you’re a football fan who just needs to watch the road to the Super Bowl, here is who is actually playing:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT). You can catch it on ABC or ESPN. It’s the AFC’s turn to see if a young Houston squad can handle the playoff atmosphere in Foxborough.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the game Packers fans might find hardest to watch. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT) on NBC. The Bears, after ending Green Bay's run, are hosting the Rams to see who heads to the NFC Championship.
Why Everyone Is Still Asking What Time Do the Green Bay Packers Play Sunday
It happens every year. Because the NFL playoffs move so fast, fans often miss the final score of a late-night Saturday game or assume the Packers always play on Sunday. Honestly, the "7-seed" logic is confusing for a lot of people. Since Green Bay clinched their spot so late in the season (literally Week 17), the hype train was moving at 100 mph.
The Packers finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 9-7-1 record. That tie against Dallas in Week 4 ended up being the weirdest footnote of the year. It actually helped them edge out other teams for that final Wild Card spot. But being the 7-seed meant they had to travel to Chicago, and as we saw, Soldier Field wasn't kind to them this time around.
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Looking Ahead: When Is the Next Packers Game?
Since there isn't a game this Sunday, the focus shifts immediately to the offseason. The "Packers Sunday" routine is on ice until August.
We already know who they are playing in the 2026 season, though. The NFL’s rotation means the NFC North faces the NFC South and the AFC East next year. Green Bay will be hosting teams like Dallas, Houston, and Miami at Lambeau. They’ll be traveling to see the Jets and the Patriots. If you're already planning your 2026 road trips, those are the big ones.
The loss to the Bears was stinging—especially seeing Caleb Williams throw for nearly 200 yards in the fourth quarter alone—but the Jordan Love era is clearly in full swing. One bad Saturday in Chicago doesn't change the fact that this team is consistently in the hunt.
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What to Do This Sunday Instead
- Scout the Competition: Watch the Rams-Bears game at 5:30 p.m. CT. It’s always good to see what the divisional rivals are up to, even if it's through gritted teeth.
- Check the Mock Drafts: Now that the Packers are officially out, their draft position is locked in. Experts like Mel Kiper Jr. are already starting to project which offensive linemen or defensive backs might be heading to 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
- Review the Contracts: Keep an eye on the news. The offseason officially starts now, which means contract extensions and free-agency rumors are about to fly.
The quest for the Lombardi Trophy is over for Green Bay this year. It sucks. But hey, at least you don't have to worry about your heart rate hitting 140 bpm while watching a two-minute drill this weekend. Take the Sunday off. You've earned it.
Keep an eye on the official Packers app over the next few weeks for the final season wrap-up press conferences from Matt LaFleur. That's where we'll get the real answers on what went wrong in the fourth quarter and how they plan to fix the secondary before the 2026 kickoff.