Wait, let's get the timing right. If you’re asking "who did Packers play yesterday" on this Friday, January 16, 2026, the answer is actually: nobody.
The Green Bay Packers didn’t take the field yesterday. In fact, their season ended in a absolute heartbreaker on Saturday, January 10, 2026. If you saw the Packers in the headlines yesterday (Thursday, Jan 15), it wasn't because of a game. It was because the team is currently in a "state of the union" crisis mode after their brutal Wild Card exit against the Chicago Bears.
While the NFL world prepares for the Divisional Round this weekend—where the Bears will face the Rams—Green Bay fans are stuck replaying a 31-27 loss that basically felt like a slow-motion car crash.
Why Everyone Is Talking About the Packers Right Now
Even though there was no game yesterday, the news cycle is on fire. Yesterday, January 15, marked the 59th anniversary of Super Bowl I. It’s a bit of a "salt in the wound" moment for the Cheesehead faithful. While the history books celebrate Lombardi’s legacy, the current reality involves a lot of finger-pointing at Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
The drama reached a boiling point yesterday when Bears special teams coach Richard Hightower reportedly took a jab at the Packers' coaching. He basically said he'd be "livid" if his team had only 10 players on the field for an extra point—something the Packers actually did during that playoff loss.
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It’s rare to see coaches throw shade like that mid-week. It’s honestly making the off-season feel a lot longer than it should.
The Last Time They Suited Up (The Playoff Meltdown)
To understand why people are still searching for "who did Packers play yesterday," you have to look back at that Saturday night in Chicago. It was the rubber match. The third time the Packers and Bears met in about 35 days.
Green Bay walked into Soldier Field and looked like world-beaters for thirty minutes. Jordan Love was dealing. He finished the game with 323 yards and four touchdowns. At halftime, the Packers led 21-3.
Then, everything that could go wrong did.
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- The Second Half Stalling: After three straight TD drives to start the game, the offense went bone-dry. Four possessions. One total first down.
- The Special Teams Disaster: This is the big one. Brandon McManus missed two field goals and an extra point. In a four-point loss, that’s the ballgame.
- Caleb Williams' Arrival: The Bears' rookie QB (well, second-year by now) led his seventh fourth-quarter comeback of the season. He found DJ Moore for a 25-yard dagger with 1:43 left on the clock.
Jordan Love tried to mount a final drive. He got the ball down to the Chicago 28-yard line. With zero seconds left, he scrambled and heaved a "Hail Mary" into the end zone. It fell incomplete. Game over. Season over.
Misconceptions About Yesterday's "Game"
You might be confused because the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (the Phoenix) actually played yesterday! On Thursday night, January 15, the Green Bay men's basketball team took on Cleveland State.
They won 88-73.
Preston Ruedinger was the star, flirted with a triple-double, and helped the Phoenix extend a five-game winning streak. So, if you heard "Green Bay won yesterday," it was on the hardwood, not the frozen tundra.
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What’s Next for the Green Bay Packers?
The NFL Packers are currently 9-8-1 (that tie against Dallas in Week 4 really messed up the seeding). Since they are out of the playoffs, the front office is already looking at 2026.
They already know their 2026 opponents. They’ll be playing the NFC South and the AFC East. That means games against the Patriots, Jets, and Buccaneers are on the horizon.
But honestly? Most fans just want to know if the coaching staff survives the week. When a rival coach is making fun of your special teams unit on a Thursday afternoon, change is usually coming.
Actionable Next Steps for Packers Fans:
- Watch the Divisional Round: If you want to scout the competition, the Bears play the Rams this Sunday. It’s a tough watch for Packers fans, but that’s the reality of the 2026 playoffs.
- Track the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on local Green Bay reporters over the next 48 hours. With the season over and the "shade" being thrown by Chicago, news on Rich Bisaccia’s future is expected any minute.
- Check the Draft Order: Since the Packers exited in the Wild Card round, they’ll be picking in the middle of the first round. Start looking at kicker prospects or defensive edge depth—they clearly need it.