If you’re refreshing your sportsbook app or checking the TV guide to see who is green bay packers playing tonight, I have some news that might sting a little. The short answer? Nobody.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. While the NFL playoffs are in full swing and the Divisional Round is about to kick off, the Packers aren't on the docket. If you’re a die-hard Cheesehead, you probably remember exactly why. Last Saturday, January 10, the Packers traveled to a frigid Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round. It was one of those classic NFC North dogfights that leave everyone exhausted. Unfortunately, Green Bay came up short, losing 31-27 to their oldest rivals.
That loss effectively ended the 2025-2026 campaign. So, tonight, the players are likely back in Green Bay (or somewhere much warmer) cleaning out their lockers and heading into the offseason.
The Wild Card Heartbreak That Ended the Season
Honestly, that game against the Bears was a rollercoaster. Green Bay entered as the No. 7 seed after a wild 9-7-1 regular season. They weren't even supposed to be there according to most pundits back in October. But Matt LaFleur managed to squeeze every bit of talent out of a roster that dealt with its fair share of injuries.
The game itself was a heartbreaker. The Packers actually led 21-6 at one point, looking like they were going to cruise into the next round. But the Bears, led by a resurgent defense and some timely special teams plays, clawed back. A late Cairo Santos field goal and a final defensive stand in the closing minutes sealed Green Bay's fate. When the clock hit zero, the Packers' season went with it.
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Because they were eliminated in the Wild Card round, they aren't part of the Divisional Round matchups happening this weekend. The NFL schedule is a "win or go home" format, and Green Bay is officially home.
Who IS Playing This Weekend?
Just because the Packers aren't taking the field tonight doesn't mean the NFL is quiet. We are currently in the gap between the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. While there isn't a game tonight (Friday), the action restarts tomorrow.
If you’re looking for football to fill the void, here is what the upcoming Divisional Round looks like:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
The Bears, having knocked out Green Bay, are moving on to host the Rams. That’s probably a tough pill to swallow for anyone wearing green and gold today.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since there is no game tonight, the conversation in Green Bay has already shifted to the 2026 regular season. We actually already know who the Packers will be playing next year, even if we don't have the exact dates yet. The NFL's rotation system is pretty predictable in that way.
In 2026, the Packers are scheduled to face the NFC South and the AFC East. This means games against the Falcons, Panthers, Bills, and Dolphins are on the horizon. Because they finished second in the NFC North this year, they also get "performance-based" matchups against the second-place teams in the NFC East (Dallas Cowboys), NFC West (LA Rams), and AFC South (Houston Texans).
2026 Home Opponents
Lambeau Field is going to see some high-profile visitors. You've got the usual divisional suspects—Bears, Lions, and Vikings—but also the Cowboys and the Texans.
2026 Road Opponents
The travel schedule looks interesting too. The Packers will have to head to New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and even the Meadowlands to face the Jets. It’s a diverse schedule that will test whether this young core can take the next step from "scrappy underdog" to "true contender."
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What Should Packers Fans Do Tonight?
If you were hoping to watch a game, use tonight to scout the competition. The four games this weekend feature the teams Green Bay will likely have to leapfrog next year if they want to make a deeper run. Watch how the Seahawks handle the 49ers or how the Bears' defense looks against the Rams.
The front office, led by Brian Gutekunst, is already deep into film. With the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, the focus is on fixing the secondary issues that popped up during that final drive in Chicago.
So, while the answer to who is green bay packers playing tonight is "no one," the work for next year has already begun. Take the night off, grab a Spotted Cow, and start looking toward the draft. The road back to the playoffs starts now.
To keep track of the remaining playoff games, check the official NFL app or sites like ESPN and DAZN. They will have the live updates and streaming links for the Divisional Round games starting tomorrow afternoon.