If you're frantically refreshing your feed or checking your TV guide to see what time is the packers game, I've got some news that might sting a bit. There isn't one. Not today. Not for a while.
Honestly, the energy in Wisconsin shifted pretty fast after that heartbreaker in Chicago. Last Saturday, January 10, the Green Bay Packers headed into Soldier Field for a Wild Card showdown that had every fan on the edge of their seat. It was a classic "win or go home" scenario. Unfortunately, they went home. The Bears pulled off a 31-27 victory, which effectively ended the Packers' 2025-2026 season.
So, if you’re looking for a kickoff time for Sunday, January 18, 2026, you won’t find it on the NFL schedule. Green Bay's locker rooms are being packed up while other teams—like the Rams and the Bears—battle it out in the Divisional Round today. It's the reality of playoff football: one bad quarter and your Sunday plans get a whole lot emptier.
Where Green Bay Stands Right Now
It’s easy to get confused with the playoff calendar moving so fast. Last week, the Packers were the talk of the town. This week? Crickets. The NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing, featuring the heavy hitters who managed to survive the opening weekend.
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While you might have been hoping for a late-afternoon slot at Lambeau, the team is officially in "offseason mode."
Jordan Love and the crew finished the regular season with a 9-8-1 record. It was a roller coaster. We saw a tie against Dallas in Week 4—a game that felt like it lasted five hours—and a late-season slump that almost cost them the postseason entirely. They squeaked in as the NFC’s No. 7 seed, but that meant traveling to Chicago for a night game on Amazon Prime. We all saw how that ended. Caleb Williams found D.J. Moore for a 25-yard dagger late in the fourth, and that was that.
Today’s NFL Schedule (Without the Pack)
Even though you can't watch the Green and Gold, there is plenty of football happening today, January 18. If you're a fan of the sport generally (or just want to scout the competition for next year), here is what’s on the menu:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch it on ABC and ESPN. It’s a massive test for Houston’s young core against a Patriots team that has looked dominant all year.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the one that really hurts for Packers fans. The team that knocked Green Bay out is hosting the Rams at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
When Do the Packers Play Again?
The burning question for anyone asking what time is the packers game is usually about the next one. Since the postseason run is over, we have to look toward the 2026 regular season.
We don't have the exact calendar yet—the NFL usually drops the full "when and where" schedule in May—but we do know the "who." Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North, their 2026 opponents are already locked in.
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Green Bay will be facing the NFC South and the AFC East next year. That means some high-profile matchups at Lambeau Field. You’ll see the Dallas Cowboys come to town again, along with the Houston Texans. On the road, the team has some tough trips planned, including a flight to the West Coast to face the Rams and a visit to the New York Jets.
Looking Ahead to Training Camp
Basically, the next time you can see the Packers in a competitive environment will be the preseason in August 2026. Usually, those games start around the second week of the month.
If you’re the type of fan who needs to plan your life around the frozen tundra, keep an eye on late July. That’s when training camp typically opens in Green Bay. It’s the best time to see the new draft picks and the free-agent signings before the bright lights of the regular season turn on.
Addressing the Confusion Around Today's Date
A lot of the confusion about what time is the packers game today stems from how the NFL handles playoff seeding. Until the Wild Card round finished last Monday, nobody knew for sure who would be playing today.
Had the Packers pulled off the upset in Chicago, they would likely be playing right now. They would have been the lowest seed remaining, which usually means a Saturday or Sunday afternoon slot against a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. But since the higher seeds mostly held firm, the schedule shifted to include the Bears and Rams instead.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. One week you're planning a watch party, and the next, you're looking at mock drafts.
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Actionable Steps for Packers Fans
Since there’s no game to watch today, here’s how you can stay productive while mourning the season:
- Audit Your Streaming Subs: If you only got Amazon Prime or Peacock to watch the Packers’ playoff or late-season games, now is the time to check if you still need those subscriptions.
- Mark the Draft: The 2026 NFL Draft is your next big milestone. It usually happens in late April. Since the Packers exited in the Wild Card round, they’ll be picking in the middle of the pack (pun intended).
- Check the 2026 Opponents List: Look at the home and away matchups for next year. If you’re planning a road trip to see them play in New Orleans or Tampa Bay, you can start looking at travel costs now, even without the exact dates.
- Follow the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on the news out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue. With the season over, this is the window where assistant coaches might move on or Matt LaFleur might look to shake up the defensive scheme after some of those late-season lapses.
The 2025-2026 campaign had its moments, but for now, the clock has run out. There is no Packers game time today.