The air in Wisconsin is usually thick with anxiety this time of year, but the question on everyone’s lips—when do the packers play this sunday—actually has a pretty heartbreaking answer for 2026.
If you were hoping to clear your schedule for a Divisional Round showdown, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Honestly, the Green Bay Packers won’t be taking the field this Sunday, January 18, 2026. Their season officially hit a brick wall last weekend at Soldier Field, and the fallout is still settling across the Frozen Tundra.
The Short Version: Why the Packers Are Off This Sunday
Basically, the Packers are out. Green Bay entered the postseason as the No. 7 seed after a rollercoaster 9-7-1 regular season. They traveled to Chicago last Saturday, January 10, for a Wild Card rubber match against the second-seeded Bears.
It was a classic NFC North slugfest, but the Bears walked away with a 31-27 victory. Because the NFL playoffs are single-elimination, that loss effectively turned the Packers’ "Sunday Funday" into "Sunday Cleaning the Garage Day."
While the Packers are home, the rest of the NFL is moving full steam ahead into the Divisional Round. If you're looking for football to fill the void, here is the actual Sunday schedule for January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Breaking Down the Wild Card Heartbreak
What really happened with the Packers this year? People are still arguing about that Saturday night game in Chicago.
Green Bay’s defense, led by Jeff Hafley, actually kept them in it for three quarters. But the offense struggled to find a rhythm when it mattered most. It’s kinda wild to think that a team with so much young talent just couldn't close the gap in the final four minutes. Jordan Love threw for over 250 yards, but that final drive stalled just outside the red zone as the clock bled out.
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You've probably noticed a pattern if you followed the team through December and January. After a strong mid-season surge where they beat the Lions and Vikings back-to-back, the wheels started wobbling. They finished the regular season with a three-game losing streak, including a rough 16-3 loss to the Vikings in Week 18. That lack of momentum clearly carried over into the playoffs.
The "When Do The Packers Play" Misconception
A lot of fans get confused because the Packers were "locks" for the playoffs for a good chunk of November. When you're used to seeing the Green and Gold deep in the hunt, you just assume they'll be there on Divisional Weekend.
Also, there is a Green Bay team playing this Sunday—just not the one you think. The UW-Green Bay Phoenix (the college basketball team) is hosting Oakland on Sunday, January 18. If you’re seeing "Green Bay" on a sports ticker for this Sunday, that’s likely the culprit.
What’s Next for Green Bay?
Now that we know when do the packers play this sunday is "never," we have to look at the 2026 offseason. It’s going to be a long one.
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Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur have some massive decisions to make. The team is currently slated to face a tough 2026 schedule that includes road trips to New Orleans and the Jets, plus home games against Dallas and Houston.
The silver lining? The Packers finished second in the NFC North. While it feels like a failure today, they are still a young team that made the dance. They’ll have a mid-round draft pick to work with and, hopefully, a healthy roster come training camp in July.
For now, Packer nation is relegated to the role of the "bitter observer." If you want to root against the Bears, you can catch them playing the Rams in the primetime slot this Sunday. Just don't expect to see any cheeseheads on the field.
Actionable Next Steps for Packers Fans:
- Check the 2026 Opponent List: The Packers' home and road opponents for next season are already finalized; start scouting those AFC East and NFC South matchups.
- Monitor the NFL Draft Order: With the Wild Card loss, Green Bay’s draft position is locked in near the middle of the first round.
- Cancel the Sunday Watch Party: Or pivot it to a "Playoff Neutral" party so you don't have to watch the Bears in silence.