The NFC Wild Card round features a historic rivalry renewed in the playoffs as the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers face the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears. This marks only the third postseason meeting between these longtime foes, with the Bears hosting after a strong regular season finish. Expect a hard-fought battle in cold conditions, pitting Green Bay’s resilient offense against Chicago’s opportunistic defense. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. This iconic outdoor stadium, home to the Bears since 1971 (with a brief hiatus), has a capacity of about 61,500 and is known for its windy, lakeside environment that can challenge kickers and passers alike.
Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on Prime Video: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic
Weather Updates
Forecasts call for frigid conditions typical of a Chicago winter. Daytime highs will hover around 30-34°F, dropping to nighttime lows of 23-30°F by kickoff. Expect a 55% chance of precipitation, potentially light snow, with winds at 7 mph and low UV index (1). These elements could favor run-heavy strategies and increase turnover risks, impacting high-flying offenses.
Updates closer to game time are advised, as Midwestern weather can shift.
Injury Report
Both teams are nursing injuries heading into the playoffs, with practice reports from January 7-8, 2026, highlighting key concerns. The Packers have more questionables, potentially affecting their lines.
Green Bay Packers:
RT Zach Tom (Back/Knee): Limited participation – Critical for protecting the quarterback; missed some practice but expected to play.
S Javon Bullard (Knee): Questionable.
LB Nick Niemann (Pectoral): Questionable; full participation earlier in week.
DL Warren Brinson (Foot): Questionable.
WR Dontayvion Wicks (Concussion): Questionable.
QB Malik Willis (Shoulder): Questionable.
WR Matthew Golden (Achilles): Full.
CB Bo Melton (Knee): DNP – Status uncertain.
Overall: Six players listed as questionable; team has 10 on the report, focusing on the trenches and secondary.
Chicago Bears:
CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Concussion): Ruled out.
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (Concussion): Ruled out.
DT Joe Tyron (Unspecified): Ruled out.
WR DJ Moore: Removed from report, good to go.
LT Ozzy Trapilo: Removed from report, good to go.
WR Rome Odunze: Full participation.
CB Kyler Gordon: Full participation.
Overall: Three ruled out, mostly on defense; healthier overall, with key offensive players cleared.
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These injuries could expose vulnerabilities, especially in the secondary for both sides.
Player Matchups
This rivalry game will be decided by key battles, particularly in the cold where physicality reigns:
QB Jordan Love (Packers) vs. QB Caleb Williams (Bears): A clash of experienced arm vs. rising star. Love’s efficiency faces a Bears defense that’s improved, while Williams (strong home form) could exploit Green Bay’s secondary injuries.
Packers Offensive Line vs. Bears Pass Rush: Green Bay’s line, led by Zach Tom (if healthy), must contain Chicago’s front to protect Love. Bears have dominated recent matchups here.
Bears Receivers (DJ Moore, Rome Odunze) vs. Packers Secondary: With Gardner-Johnson out, Chicago’s weapons could test Green Bay’s DBs like Javon Bullard.
Run Games: Packers’ ground attack vs. Bears’ stout run defense; cold weather amplifies this.
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Turnovers and Situational Play: Edge to whoever controls the ball; Packers have limped in, Bears surging.
Recent Team Forms
Packers: Limped into the playoffs with a 9-7-1 record, losing four straight after a 9-3-1 start. They went 4-6 in their last 10, relying on 2,037 rushing yards but struggling defensively late. Playoff berth secured via tiebreaker.
Bears: Surged to 11-6, improving from 5-12 last year with a Week 10 win sparking momentum. They finished 7-3 in their last 10, boasting 2,456 rushing yards and 49 TDs. Home strength (likely 6-2 or better) bodes well.
Series History
The Packers lead the all-time series 109-97-6, including a 2-0 edge in playoffs (though Bears won one of two postseason games). Green Bay has dominated recently, going 15-5 SU in the last 20 meetings and 3-17 for Bears over the last 10 years. This rare playoff clash adds intensity to the NFL’s oldest rivalry.
Betting Trends
Packers: 14-6 ATS in last 20 vs. Bears; 15-5 SU overall in that span. Strong as favorites but 4-6 ATS in last 10 games.
Bears: 9-7 ATS overall; better at home but struggled vs. Green Bay (3-17 last 10 years). Unders in recent rivalry games due to defense.
Overall: Packers coughed up leads in recent meetings; trends favor Green Bay covering, with O/U leaning under in cold weather matchups.
PACKERS NOTES:
• PACKERS qualified for playoffs for the 3rd straight season & 6th time in past 7 seasons. • HC MATT LAFLEUR tied HOFer Paul Brown (76) for the 2nd-most (George Seifert – 86 reg. season wins) reg. season wins by a HC in his 1st 7 seasons in NFL history. • QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 3,381 yards & 23 TDs with 101.2 rating in 2025, 1 of 4 (Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson & Brock Purdy) with 20+ TD passes & 95+ rating in each of past 3 seasons. Had TD pass in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Has 2+ TD passes in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Passed for 234 yards & 3 TDs in Week 14 meeting. • RB JOSH JACOBS ranked tied-5th with 14 scrimmage TDs & had 1,211 scrimmage yards (929 rush, 282 rec.) this season. Had 92 scrimmage yards & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. Had 121 scrimmage yards & rush TD in last playoff game (1/12/25 vs. Phi.) & aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 120+ scrimmage yards. • RB EMANUEL WILSON had 82 rush yards in Week 16 meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON had 89 rec. yards & 2 TDs in Week 14 meeting. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had career-high 724 rec. yards & had 6 TDs in 2025. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 84 rec. yards & TD in Week 16 meeting. • DL RASHAN GARY had 7.5 sacks in 2025, his 3rd straight season with 7.5+ sacks. Had sack in last playoff game (1/12/25 vs. Phi.). • LB QUAY WALKER had career-high 128 tackles in 2025 & had 9+ tackles in each of his final 4 reg. season games. Had season-high 14 tackles & had TFL in Week 16 meeting. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games vs. Chi. • LB ISAIAH MCDUFFIE had 80 tackles in 2025, his 3rd straight season with 80+ tackles. Had 5+ tackles in 7 of his last 8 reg. season games. • CB KEISEAN NIXON ranked tied-6th in NFL with career-high 17 PDs in 2025. Had 2 PD & INT in Week 14 meeting. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY has PD in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Had PD in 5 of his last 6 reg. season games on road. Had 6 tackles & PD in Week 16 meeting.
BEARS NOTES:
• BEARS clinched NFC North for 1st time since 2018 after finishing last in the division in 2024. Led NFL in takeaways (33). • QB CALEB WILLIAMS ranked 6th with career-high 27 TD passes & 7th with career-high & franchise-record 3,942 pass yards in 2025. Had 2+ TD passes in last 5 reg. season games, 1 of 2 (Matthew Stafford) to do so. Passed for 185+ yards & 2 TDs in both meetings this season. Can make 1st career playoff start. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had career-high 1,386 scrimmage yards & tied career-high with 10 TDs (9 rush, 1 rec.) in 2025. Had 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his last 6 reg. season games & has 70+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. GB. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. • RB KYLE MONANGAI ranked 5th among rookies with 947 scrimmage yards & 783 rush yards. Had 93 scrimmage yards in Week 16 meeting. • WR DJ MOORE had 97 rec. yards & TD in Week 16 meeting. Can make 1st career playoff appearance. • TE COLSTON LOVELAND tied-2nd among rookies with 6 TD catches & 5th with 713 rec. yards this season. Had TD reception in Week 14 meeting. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 9+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Had 10 tackles & half sack in Week 16 meeting. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS ranked tied-8th with 4 INTs this season. Had 6 tackles & FR in Week 16 meeting & has 6+ tackles in all 7 career games vs. GB. Has 7+ tackles in 7 of his 8 career playoff games. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT had 10 sacks & 1st career FR this season. Had sack in Week 14 meeting. Had sack & 2 TFL in only career playoff game (01/09/21 w/ Was. vs. TB). • DB C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON has 51 tackles, TFL, 4 PD & INT in 13 career playoff games. Had season-high 10 tackles & had INT in Week 14 meeting. • DB KEVIN BYARD led NFL with career-high 7 INTs this season. Had 7+ tackles in both meetings in 2025. Made 3rd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • DB NAHSHON WRIGHT ranked tied-2nd with career-high 5 INTs in 2025. Had 8 tackles & FF in Week 16 meeting.
Game Odds
Green Bay Packers – 1.5
Chicago Bears 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, January 9, 2026
