If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and scouring the web to find out what time green bay packers play today, there’s some news that’s gonna sting. Honestly, I hate being the bearer of bad news for the Green Bay faithful. The Packers aren't on the field today.
While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with some massive matchups, the Green Bay Packers were eliminated in a heartbreaking Wild Card loss last week. They went into Soldier Field on January 10 to face the Chicago Bears, and it didn't go the way Titletown hoped. After holding a massive 21-3 lead at halftime, the Packers suffered a second-half collapse that ended in a 31-27 loss.
So, instead of a kickoff today, the team is currently in offseason mode, and the fans are left watching the rival Bears host the Rams later tonight.
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What Time Green Bay Packers Play Today: The Playoff Reality
It’s a weird feeling for Packers fans to have an empty Sunday in mid-January. Usually, this is when the Frozen Tundra is just getting warmed up—metaphorically, of course. But the reality is that the Divisional Round schedule for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, features these games instead:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Kickoff at 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: Kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock).
The Packers’ season officially ended when they couldn't stop Caleb Williams and the Bears' late-game surge last Saturday. Matt LaFleur’s squad finished the regular season with a solid 10-7 record, but that second-place finish in the NFC North meant they had to travel for the playoffs. That trip to Chicago ended up being the final stop of the 2025-2026 campaign.
Why the Packers Are Out and What’s Next
Most people get wrong that a 10-win season is a failure. It’s not. Jordan Love showed some incredible flashes this year, and the offense looks like it has all the pieces. However, the defense—specifically the pass rush down the stretch—struggled after losing key contributors like Devonte Wyatt to injury.
The collapse in the Wild Card round has sparked a lot of conversation in Green Bay. People are questioning the conservative play-calling in the second half of that Bears game. It felt like the team tried to "salt away" the game too early instead of keeping the foot on the gas. That's a recipe for disaster when you're playing a divisional rival in their house.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since they aren't playing today, the focus has already shifted to who they’ll face when they return in the fall. We actually already know their opponents for the 2026 season. Because they finished second in the NFC North, they’ve got a tough slate coming up.
Basically, they’ll play the entire NFC South and AFC East. Here’s a quick look at the big home games at Lambeau next year:
- Dallas Cowboys (The rivalry continues)
- Houston Texans (A massive cross-conference test)
- Buffalo Bills (Expect a cold one)
- Miami Dolphins (A battle of speed)
They’ll also be hitting the road to face the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Rams.
The Takeaway for Packers Fans
It’s tough to search for what time green bay packers play today and see a big "N/A" on the scoreboard. But the foundation is there. The team is young, Jordan Love is the guy, and they’ve got a projected nine home games at Lambeau Field in 2026 to look forward to.
If you're still looking for a football fix today, the Rams vs. Bears game is the one to watch. It’s a bitter pill to swallow seeing the Bears move on, but it’ll give you a good look at the team Green Bay has to leapfrog next year to reclaim the North.
Actionable Next Steps for the Offseason
- Watch the Divisional Round: Tune into NBC at 6:30 p.m. ET to see how the Bears handle the Rams’ offense; it’ll be a scouting report for next season.
- Check the Salary Cap: Keep an eye on the Packers' cap space heading into March. They need to address the defensive line depth if they want to avoid another second-half playoff collapse.
- Draft Preparation: Start looking at mock drafts for April. With the 2025 season over, the Packers will likely be picking in the early-to-mid 20s, and they’ll be looking for defensive help.