The air in Green Bay is different right now. It’s that January bite. If you’re asking what time is packer game, you probably already know the stakes are sky-high, but the answer depends entirely on which side of the playoff line the team is standing on today, January 18, 2026.
Last week was a heartbreaker. Honestly, watching the Packers fall 31-27 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 10 felt like a punch to the gut for most of Wisconsin. It was the Wild Card round, and Amazon Prime Video had the eyes of the nation on a game that basically came down to a few missed opportunities in the red zone. Jordan Love looked sharp, but the Bears’ defense, which led the league with 32 takeaways this season, proved to be just a bit too opportunistic.
The Current State of Play
Since the Packers were eliminated in that Wild Card matchup, there is no game today.
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Usually, fans are used to seeing Green Bay deep in the hunt this time of year. But with the loss to Chicago, the "next game" isn't on the calendar for a while. We are currently in the Divisional Round weekend (January 17-18, 2026), but the Packers are watching from home. It's weird. It's quiet.
If you were hoping to find what time is packer game for a Divisional matchup against a team like the Eagles or the Lions, those slots have been filled by the teams that survived the opening weekend of the postseason.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
Even though the pads are off for now, the 2026 opponents are already locked in. The NFL’s scheduling formula is like clockwork, and because Green Bay finished second in the NFC North this year, their 2026 slate looks absolutely brutal.
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They’ve got the NFC South and the AFC East on the rotation. That means Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are coming to Lambeau Field. It also means a trip to the Meadowlands to face the Jets and a flight down to New Orleans.
Here is how the 2026 home and away matchups shake out:
The Home Slate at Lambeau:
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings: The usual divisional suspects.
- Dallas Cowboys: This is a "second-place" matchup that always feels like a playoff game.
- Buffalo Bills: Expect a cold one for this marquee matchup.
- Houston Texans: CJ Stroud vs. Jordan Love is a quarterback nerd’s dream.
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins: A mix of young rosters and high-flying offenses.
The Road Trips:
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- NFC North Rivals: Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota.
- Los Angeles Rams: A tough trip to SoFi Stadium.
- New England Patriots and New York Jets: A Northeast tour.
- New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two tough environments in the South.
Why the Kickoff Times Aren't Out Yet
People always get frustrated that the NFL doesn't release the actual times and dates for these games until mid-May. Basically, the league waits to see which matchups have the most "juice" for primetime.
Because the Packers are a massive national draw, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll have at least four or five night games. We're talking Sunday Night Football on NBC or those Monday night slots on ESPN.
If you're trying to plan a trip to Lambeau for 2026, you've gotta wait for that May schedule release. Until then, we only know who they play, not when they play.
What Fans Should Do Now
Since there isn't a game to tune into this evening, the focus in Title Town has shifted to the draft and free agency. The secondary needs work. We saw that in the Chicago game.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine in February. The Packers have a history of building through the draft, and with the 2026 season looking this tough, they’ll need some immediate impact players.
Next Steps for Packers Fans:
- Mark your calendars for mid-May: This is when the NFL officially drops the 2026 schedule with specific dates and kickoff times.
- Check the compensatory pick announcements: Usually happens in March; these extra picks are vital for Brian Gutekunst’s strategy.
- Follow the Divisional Round: Even though the Packers are out, watching the Lions and Bears will give you a good look at the competition Green Bay has to leapfrog next year.
The hunt for the next Lombardi Trophy starts now, even if the scoreboard is dark today.