Final Score for Packer Game: What Really Happened at Soldier Field

Final Score for Packer Game: What Really Happened at Soldier Field

If you’re looking for the final score for packer game, you probably already know it wasn’t the ending anyone in Wisconsin wanted. The Green Bay Packers fell to the Chicago Bears with a score of 31-27 in a Wild Card thriller that basically felt like a fever dream.

It was Jan. 10, 2026. A Saturday night. Cold, but the atmosphere at Soldier Field was absolutely electric.

The Packers went into the locker room at halftime looking like they had the game in the bag. They were up 21-3. Jordan Love was slicing through the Bears' secondary like it was a preseason scrimmage. Honestly, it felt over. But in the NFL, "over" is a dangerous word. Especially when you’re facing a rookie like Caleb Williams who apparently doesn't know how to quit.

The Epic Collapse: How a 21-3 Lead Vanished

So, how does a team go from dominating a playoff game to heading home for the off-season? It wasn't just one thing. It was a slow-motion car crash involving all three phases of the game.

The Packers' offense, which was so explosive in the first half, suddenly couldn't buy a first down in the third quarter. They had four possessions that resulted in exactly one first down. That’s not just bad; it’s catastrophic in the postseason. Matt LaFleur seemed to go away from the run, which was weird because Josh Jacobs had been finding some decent lanes early on.

Then there was the special teams.

Brandon McManus had a night he’ll want to forget. He missed an extra point. He missed a 44-yard field goal that would have given Green Bay a late lead. In a four-point loss, those points are everything.

Key Stats That Defined the Final Score

  • Jordan Love: 24-of-46 for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns.
  • Romeo Doubs: 8 catches for 124 yards and a score.
  • Caleb Williams: 24-of-48 for 361 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs.
  • Fourth Quarter Scoring: Bears 25, Packers 6.

That last stat is the one that really stings. You can't give up 25 points in a single quarter of playoff football and expect to advance.

The Turning Point Nobody Talks About

While everyone focuses on the missed kicks, the real momentum shift happened early in the fourth. The Bears had cut the lead to 21-16. The Packers actually responded beautifully. Rookie Matthew Golden caught a 23-yard touchdown pass that was legitimately impressive—he broke three tackles and literally leaped over a fourth defender.

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It made the score 27-16.

But that's when McManus missed the PAT. Instead of a 12-point lead (a two-touchdown game), it remained a 11-point lead. That tiny window allowed Caleb Williams to keep believing. He drove the Bears 76 yards, hit Olamide Zaccheaus for a TD, and then converted a 2nd-and-goal two-point conversion to Colston Loveland. Suddenly, it was 27-24.

The air just seemed to leave the Green Bay sideline.

Why the Final Score for Packer Game Matters for 2026

This loss marks five straight defeats to end the season for Green Bay. They finished with a weird 9-8-1 record. The tie against Dallas back in September feels like a lifetime ago now.

What's the fallout?

Expect some hard questions for the coaching staff. Jeff Hafley’s defense was great for three quarters but looked totally gassed at the end. They couldn't stop DJ Moore when it mattered most. Moore’s 25-yard touchdown with 1:43 left was the nail in the coffin.

The Packers actually got the ball back and drove to the Chicago 23-yard line. They had 13 seconds left. But a false start on Rasheed Walker moved them back, and Jordan Love couldn't pull off one last miracle. The final play was a fumbled snap—a fittingly messy end to a messy second half.

What Fans Should Do Next

If you’re a Packers fan, the "what-ifs" are going to haunt you until training camp. But there are a few things to keep an eye on as the off-season kicks off:

  1. Monitor the Kicker Situation: McManus is a veteran, but those two misses were the difference between a win and a loss. The front office will likely be scouting fresh legs in the draft or free agency.
  2. Watch the Defensive Scheme: The collapse in the fourth quarter suggests that the "prevent" style isn't working against high-caliber young quarterbacks.
  3. Appreciate the Young Talent: Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed are the real deal. The receiving corps is young and incredibly talented, giving Love plenty of weapons for next year.

The final score for packer game of 31-27 is a tough pill to swallow, especially given the rivalry. It’s the first time the Bears have won a playoff game in 15 years. For Green Bay, it’s a long flight back to Austin Straubel International Airport and a lot of film to watch.

Check the official NFL injury reports over the next few days to see if any undisclosed lingering issues contributed to that second-half fatigue. Otherwise, it's time to start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft boards.