If you're asking what's the score for the Green Bay Packers, you're probably looking for a result that makes a little more sense than what actually happened on Saturday night. Honestly, it was a mess. A beautiful, dominant mess for thirty minutes, and then a complete and total meltdown that’s going to haunt Matt LaFleur’s sleep for the next six months.
The final score was Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27.
That’s it. Season over. The Packers went into Soldier Field for the Wild Card round on January 10, 2026, looking like the superior team, only to let Caleb Williams and the "Cardiac Bears" pull off one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of this rivalry. It sucks for the Green Bay faithful, especially considering they had this game in a chokehold at halftime.
How the Packers Blew an 18-Point Lead
You don't usually see a team lead 21-3 at the half and end up asking "what happened?" but here we are. Jordan Love was absolutely dealin' in the first two quarters. He hit Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed for touchdowns, making the Chicago secondary look like they were playing in slow motion. At that point, it felt like a blowout.
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Then the fourth quarter happened.
The Bears outscored Green Bay 25-6 in the final frame. Think about that. You’ve got a defense that’s been solid all year, and they just... dissolved. Caleb Williams, the kid who everyone was skeptical about in his playoff debut, suddenly found a rhythm that the Packers' pass rush couldn't touch.
The Breakdown by the Numbers
- First Half: Packers 21, Bears 3. Total dominance.
- Third Quarter: A weird, scoreless slog for Green Bay.
- Fourth Quarter: Bears 25, Packers 6. The wheels came off.
- Final: Bears 31, Packers 27.
The turning point was probably the missed extra point by Brandon McManus after Matthew Golden’s touchdown. That made it 27-16 instead of 28. Then, later, McManus missed a 44-yarder wide right. If either of those go in, the math changes completely. But they didn't, and the Bears took advantage of every single mistake.
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Why the Green Bay Packers Score Matters for the Offseason
This wasn't just a loss; it was a "back to the drawing board" moment. Matt LaFleur is taking a lot of heat right now—and deservedly so—for being too passive in the second half. They ran the ball only three times in the third quarter. When you're up by three scores, you usually try to drain the clock, right? Instead, the Packers kept trying to be cute with the passing game, went three-and-out way too often, and gave Chicago life.
It’s kinda wild to think that a 9-8-1 regular season ended this way. The Packers fought hard to even get into the dance as the seventh seed. They had that weird tie with the Cowboys earlier in the year and survived a rocky middle stretch. To get to the playoffs and show that much promise in the first half only to throw it away is a tough pill to swallow for the fans in Wisconsin.
Key Moments You Might Have Missed
- Matthew Golden's Leap: The rookie wideout looked like a star, breaking three tackles and literally leapfrogging a defender on a 23-yard score.
- The DJ Moore dagger: With 1:43 left, Williams found Moore for a 25-yard touchdown. That was the nail in the coffin.
- Defensive Fatigue: Jeff Hafley’s defense looked gassed. They couldn't get off the field, and the Bears' 16-play opening drive in the first half probably took more out of them than we realized at the time.
Looking Toward the 2026 Schedule
Now that the season is officially in the books, we already know who the Packers are playing next year. It's not going to be an easy road back. They’ve got the NFC South and the AFC East on the docket. That means Josh Allen and the Bills are coming to Lambeau, and the Packers have to travel to places like New Orleans and Miami.
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Plus, they have to deal with a Bears team that clearly isn't the "same old Chicago" anymore. Caleb Williams finishing with nearly 4,000 passing yards in his second season is a problem for the rest of the NFC North.
Basically, the Packers are in a spot where they have the talent, but the consistency is MIA. Jordan Love proved he belongs in the "elite" conversation for a half, then looked human when the pressure ramped up. The front office has some big decisions to make regarding the kicker situation and the depth at linebacker.
Actionable Insights for Packers Fans:
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on whether LaFleur makes changes to the offensive staff after that second-half collapse.
- Draft Focus: Expect the Packers to look heavily at defensive line depth and perhaps a reliable veteran kicker in free agency.
- Salary Cap: The team needs to navigate Jordan Love’s looming contract situation while keeping the receiving corps intact.
If you're still reeling from that 31-27 final, just remember: it's the NFL. One day you're the hammer, the next you're the nail. The Packers were the nail on Saturday. Now, the long wait for the 2026 season begins.