You’re probably waking up, grabbing a coffee, and looking for the kickoff time. It’s a habit. If you’re a Green Bay fan, Sunday usually means one thing: huddling around the TV to see if Jordan Love can pull off another miracle or if the defense can actually hold a lead in the fourth quarter. But if you’re asking who does Packers play Sunday, I have some news that might make you want to go back to sleep.
The Packers aren’t playing this Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch considering how the season felt just a few weeks ago. After sneaking into the postseason as the NFC's No. 7 seed, the dream came to a screeching halt last Saturday night at Soldier Field. Losing to the Bears is always bad. Losing to them in the Wild Card round? That stays with you.
The Reality of the Divisional Round Schedule
While the Packers are back in Wisconsin starting their exit interviews and figuring out what went wrong in that 31–27 heartbreaker against Chicago, the rest of the NFL is moving on. The Divisional Round is happening right now, but the Green Bay jerseys are staying in the closet.
If you look at the TV schedule for Sunday, January 18, you’ll see two massive games, but neither involves the green and gold:
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
It’s particularly annoying for Packers fans to watch that night cap. That’s the spot Green Bay would have occupied if they had managed to stop Caleb Williams in the final minutes last week. Instead, the Bears are hosting the Rams at Soldier Field, and we're left wondering "what if."
Why the Packers Aren't on Your Screen
It basically comes down to the Wild Card collapse. Entering the playoffs as the bottom seed meant Green Bay had zero margin for error. They had to travel to Chicago, a place where they’ve historically had the upper hand, but the 2025-2026 Bears proved to be a different beast.
Jordan Love actually played a decent game, throwing for over 250 yards, but the ground game stalled when it mattered most. The defense, which had been "bend-but-don't-break" for most of December, finally snapped under the pressure of the postseason. When the clock hit zero last Saturday, January 10, the Packers' season officially ended.
So, when people search for who does Packers play Sunday, the literal answer is: nobody. They are officially in "vacation mode."
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though the pads are off for now, we actually know exactly who the Packers will be facing when the 2026 regular season kicks off next September. Since they finished second in the NFC North (behind the Lions, who had a monster year), their schedule for next year is already locked in based on the NFL's rotation formula.
Next year is going to be a gauntlet. The NFC North is matched up against the NFC South and the AFC East.
Home Games at Lambeau
You’ll see the usual suspects—Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota—coming to town. But the non-division slate is spicy. The Dallas Cowboys are coming to Green Bay, which is always a ratings goldmine. You've also got the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans making the trip to the frozen tundra. Expect those tickets to be nearly impossible to get.
Road Trips
The away schedule is arguably tougher. The Packers have to travel to New Orleans and Tampa Bay, which are nice trips for fans but tough environments for players. They also have a cross-country flight to face the Los Angeles Rams and a trip to Foxborough to play the Patriots.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Offseason
There's this idea that once a team is out, everything just stops. It's the opposite. The front office is likely already looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. Because they made the playoffs but exited in the first round, the Packers will likely be picking somewhere in the early 20s.
The biggest question mark? The secondary. It’s no secret that the late-season slide was fueled by a lack of depth at cornerback. If the Packers want to be playing on "Divisional Sunday" next year, that's where the investment has to go.
Actionable Steps for the "Off" Sunday
Since you don't have a Packers game to stress over today, here is how you can still get your football fix and prepare for the 2026 cycle:
- Watch Rams vs. Bears: This is the game that should have been yours. Watch it to scout the competition. The Bears are young and clearly aren't going anywhere, so get used to seeing them in January.
- Check the Salary Cap: Head over to Over The Cap or Spotrac. The Packers have some big decisions to make on veteran contracts this spring to free up space for free agency.
- Review the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the remaining playoff games. The order of the first round is determined by how these teams finish, and you'll want to see who might be available when Green Bay is on the clock.
- Ignore the Rumor Mill: Tomorrow, the "Trade Jordan Love" or "Fire Everyone" tweets will start. Ignore them. The core is solid; they just ran out of gas.
The road to Super Bowl LX is still going, even if the bus left Green Bay a week early. Use this Sunday to enjoy some stress-free football—it’s the only one you’ll get until next August.