If you woke up this morning, grabbed your lucky cheesehead, and started Googling what time the packer game today is, I have some news that’s gonna sting worse than a sub-zero wind chill at Lambeau.
The Green Bay Packers are not playing today.
It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026. We are officially in the heart of the NFL Divisional Round. Usually, this is the best weekend of the year for football fans. Four games, high stakes, the "best of the best" squaring off. But for the Green Bay faithful, the 2025-2026 ride came to a screeching, heartbreaking halt exactly seven days ago in the Windy City.
The Wild Card Heartbreak: Why the Packers Are Home
Last week, on January 10, the Packers traveled to Soldier Field for a playoff "rubber match" against the Chicago Bears. It was the third time these two historic rivals met in about a month. Green Bay entered as the No. 7 seed, the ultimate underdog narrative. Honestly, most of us thought Jordan Love had another magical January run in him.
It didn't happen.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
The Bears took that game 31-27. It was one of those games that leaves you staring at the wall for twenty minutes after the clock hits zero. A late surge by Love wasn't enough to overcome a stagnant second quarter and a couple of back-breaking defensive lapses. So, while the Divisional Round is kicking off right now, the Packers are currently doing exit interviews and heading to the golf course.
Who IS Playing Today? (Saturday, January 17)
Since you’ve already got the wings ordered and the TV remote in hand, you might as well watch the teams that actually survived the first round. The NFL schedule for today features two massive matchups, but neither involves anyone from the NFC North.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- The Vibe: Josh Allen is heading into the thin air of Mile High. The Broncos, led by Bo Nix, have been the surprise story of the AFC this year, securing the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
- The Vibe: An all-NFC West showdown. The Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the 49ers had to claw their way through a Wild Card win over the Eagles last week. It’s going to be loud in Seattle.
Where Green Bay Went Wrong in 2025
You've gotta look at the stats to understand why we're searching for game times instead of watching a kickoff. The Packers finished the regular season at 9-7-1. That "1" in the tie column against Dallas in September really ended up hovering over the season like a weird cloud.
Jordan Love’s stats were actually decent—he threw for over 4,000 yards again—but the consistency just wasn't there in November. The team struggled with a mid-season slump, losing back-to-back games to the Panthers and Eagles. By the time they got to the finale against Minnesota and the playoff game in Chicago, the gas tank looked empty.
Matt LaFleur’s offense showed flashes of brilliance, especially with the young receiving corps, but the "ground and pound" game that Wes Hodkiewicz and other Packers insiders kept calling for never quite materialized when it mattered most.
What’s Next for the Pack?
Since there is no game today, the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 offseason. The "checkpoint" for the front office is the first two weeks of March. That’s when roster bonuses are due and the new league year starts.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Here is what the 2026 schedule already looks like:
We know the opponents. Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North, the 2026 rotation is set. Green Bay will be hosting the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans at Lambeau. On the road, they’ll have to face the Los Angeles Rams.
There's also a lot of talk about the draft. Most analysts, including the folks over at Packers.com, are screaming for O-line depth. Names like Anthony Belton or quality college centers are being tossed around as potential late-round steals to anchor the line for Love.
How to Spend Your Saturday Without the Packers
If you’re still craving football, the best thing to do is scout the competition. Watch the 49ers and Seahawks tonight at 8:00 PM ET. Whoever wins that game is likely the team Green Bay will have to go through next January.
It’s bittersweet. We all want to see the "G" on the helmet today. But the reality is that the 2025 season is in the books. It’s time to start looking at mock drafts and hoping for a healthy 2026.
Your Game Day Action Plan:
- Stop searching for a kickoff time: It isn't coming.
- Pivot to the AFC: Watch Allen vs. Nix at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Scout the NFC: Watch the Seahawks host the 49ers at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Mark your calendar: The NFL Draft begins April 23, 2026. This is where the next run begins.
The season ended in Chicago, but the road to Super Bowl LXI starts with the decisions Brian Gutekunst makes over the next eight weeks. Catch the Divisional games today to see the standard the Packers need to hit next year.