The Green Bay Packers are not playing today, January 17, 2026. If you came here looking for a live score, I’ve got some tough news for you—the season is over.
Green Bay’s 2025-26 run ended exactly one week ago in a heartbreaker at Soldier Field. While the Divisional Round is currently underway with teams like the Bills and Broncos facing off, the Packers are back in Wisconsin starting their exit interviews. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially given how that last game started.
The Final Score: Packers vs. Bears Wild Card
The last time the Packers took the field was Saturday, January 10, 2026. The final score was Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27.
It was a classic "tale of two halves" situation that'll likely be debated in Green Bay sports bars for the next decade. The Packers walked into halftime with a massive 21-3 lead. Jordan Love looked like an absolute superstar, carving up the Bears' secondary with three touchdown passes in the first two quarters. Fans were already looking ahead to the next round.
Then, the fourth quarter happened.
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Chicago, led by rookie sensation Caleb Williams, mounted a massive 25-6 run in the final frame. The go-ahead score came on a 25-yard touchdown strike to DJ Moore with just 1:43 left on the clock. Green Bay had one last chance to save their season, driving down to the Chicago 23-yard line. But a late false start penalty and a couple of desperate, incomplete heaves from Love ended the comeback attempt.
What Really Happened with Jordan Love?
Honestly, the biggest story wasn't just the score; it was the fact that Love was even playing. He had missed the final two games of the regular season after a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 16. People weren't sure if he'd be cleared, but he suited up and threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite the loss, Love's performance proved he's the guy. He hit Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs for scores early on. Even Matthew Golden, the rookie, stepped up with a massive 23-yard touchdown catch-and-run that briefly put Green Bay back on top 27-16 in the fourth.
The collapse wasn't really on the offense. The defense just couldn't get off the field when it mattered most.
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Why the Score Stayed at 27
You can't talk about the score of that Packers game without mentioning the kicking situation. Brandon McManus had a rough night that proved fatal.
- He missed an extra point after the Matthew Golden touchdown.
- He missed a crucial 44-yard field goal with under three minutes left that would have put Green Bay up by six points.
If either of those kicks goes through, the math of the entire final two minutes changes. Instead, the door stayed open just wide enough for the Bears to kick it down.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since the Packers are out, the focus has already shifted to next year. We actually already know who they'll be playing. Because Green Bay finished second in the NFC North (with a 9-8-1 record), their 2026 schedule is mostly set.
Next season, they’ll face the NFC South and the AFC East. That means games against the Bills, Dolphins, Falcons, and Saints are on the horizon. They’ll also host Dallas and Houston at Lambeau Field.
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The biggest question mark right now is the coaching staff. While Matt LaFleur isn't going anywhere, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is reportedly a frontrunner for several head coaching jobs, including the Dolphins. If he leaves, the Packers' defense—the unit that just let an 18-point lead slip away—will be looking for its third leader in three years.
How to Follow the Rest of the Playoffs
Even though the Packers' score is finalized for the year, the NFL playoffs are moving fast. Today, January 17, features a huge matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. Tomorrow, the Bears (who knocked the Packers out) will host the Los Angeles Rams.
If you’re a Green Bay fan, you’re probably rooting for whoever plays Chicago at this point. That rivalry is as heated as it’s ever been, especially now that the Bears have won three of the last five meetings.
Next Steps for Packers Fans
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Rams vs. Bears game tomorrow to see if Chicago's run continues.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Check for updates on Jeff Hafley’s status, as a departure would signal a major shift for the Green Bay defense.
- Draft Prep: With the season over, the Packers will likely have a mid-round pick. Start looking at mock drafts targeting defensive line depth and perhaps a younger kicker to compete in training camp.