The Green Bay Packers didn't play tonight.
Honestly, that’s the hardest part for fans to swallow. If you are looking for a score from Saturday, January 17, 2026, you won’t find one. The Packers’ season actually hit a brick wall exactly one week ago in a game that people in Wisconsin are going to be talking about—and probably grieving—for a long time.
While the rest of the NFC is currently battling it out in the Divisional Round, the Packers are already back in Green Bay cleaning out their lockers. It's a weird feeling. Just seven days ago, they were the hottest team in the league. Now? They’re just another "what if" story.
What Really Happened with the Packers?
Last Saturday, January 10, the Packers traveled to Soldier Field for a Wild Card showdown against the Chicago Bears. For two and a half quarters, it looked like a blowout. Jordan Love was slicing through the Bears' secondary like a surgeon.
The Packers jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead. Then it was 21-6 heading into the fourth.
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Then everything broke.
The Chicago Bears pulled off an 18-point comeback, outscoring Green Bay 25-6 in the final fifteen minutes. It was the largest blown lead in Packers playoff history. Jordan Love finished with 323 yards and four touchdowns, but a late-game fumble and a missed field goal by Brandon McManus (who missed an extra point and two field goals in the game) sealed their fate. The final score was 31-27.
So, if you’re asking who won the packers game tonight, the answer is technically "nobody," because their season ended last week in Chicago.
The Divisional Round Schedule (The Games Happening Now)
Since the Packers are out, the NFL moved on without them. Tonight, January 17, 2026, the Divisional Round kicked off with two massive matchups that Green Bay fans are likely watching through their fingers.
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: The Bills headed to Mile High to face a resurgent Broncos squad.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A classic NFC West battle that determines who moves one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Tomorrow, the team that beat the Packers—the Chicago Bears—will host the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a bitter pill for Green Bay, knowing that could have been their home game or at least their slot in the bracket.
Why the Packers Aren’t Playing Tonight
You can point to a lot of things. Kinda felt like the defense just ran out of gas. They forced the Bears into punts and turnovers early, but Caleb Williams eventually found his rhythm.
The turning point was arguably that Matthew Golden touchdown. Golden, the rookie, caught a 23-yard pass to put Green Bay back up 27-16 with about six minutes left. It felt like the dagger. But McManus missed the extra point. That single point changed the entire math of the final four minutes.
Instead of needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion just to tie, the Bears were able to take the lead with a single touchdown and a successful conversion. Which is exactly what they did. DJ Moore caught the go-ahead score with 1:43 left on the clock.
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The Fallout in Green Bay
Matt LaFleur didn't have many answers in the post-game presser last week. He looked shell-shocked. You’ve got a quarterback in Jordan Love who played well enough to win, but the "Cardiac Bears" identity was just too much to overcome in the end.
The special teams' blunders are going to be the main topic of conversation this offseason. McManus is likely done in Green Bay. You can't miss that many points in a playoff game and expect to keep your job in a town that treats football like a religion.
What’s Next for Packers Fans?
Since there is no game tonight, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft. Because the Packers lost in the Wild Card round, they’ve officially locked in their draft position. Funnily enough, their loss actually helped the Dallas Cowboys, who now hold the 20th pick in the first round (via a previous trade) because of Green Bay's early exit.
If you’re a Green Bay fan looking for something to do tonight, you’re basically a scout now.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Rams vs. Bears Tomorrow: If you want to scout the team that knocked you out, they play Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
- Check the Salary Cap: The Packers have some big decisions to make with Love’s contract and the aging veteran core.
- Track the Draft Board: Start looking at interior defensive line talent and, obviously, a new kicker. The 2026 draft class is looking deep at the positions Green Bay needs most.
The season is over, but the rebuilding of the roster for a 2027 run starts tomorrow morning.