NFL Wild Card Preview: Historic Rivalry Renewed as Bears Host Packers in Playoff Clash
The stage is set for an epic showdown in the NFC Wild Card round as the Green Bay Packers travel to Chicago to face the Bears in a third meeting this season. This Saturday night matchup revives one of the NFL’s oldest and fiercest rivalries, promising high-stakes drama in one of the most anticipated games of the opening playoff weekend.
Game Information: Time, Location, and Broadcast This primetime contest highlights the Wild Card schedule, delivering intense postseason football under the lights at Soldier Field.
- Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 8:45 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 7:15 p.m. Central Time (CT)
- Location: Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois
- TV Channels: Exclusive broadcast on Amazon Prime Video (available locally in Green Bay/Milwaukee markets on over-the-air stations).
- Live Stream: Stream the game on Prime Video, with services that include Prime Video access.
Team Dynamics and Recent Performance Both teams enter with momentum from a split regular-season series, but their journeys to the playoffs highlight contrasting strengths in this classic NFC North battle.
Chicago Bears: The Division Champs at Home The Chicago Bears (11-6) clinched the NFC North title and the No. 2 seed, earning a home playoff game and positioning themselves for a deep run. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have built a balanced attack led by young stars.
- Offensive Firepower: Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has shown poise and playmaking ability, supported by a strong running game and reliable receivers.
- Defensive Strength: The Bears boast one of the league’s top defenses, leading in interceptions and excelling at forcing turnovers, which could disrupt Green Bay’s rhythm.
Green Bay Packers: The Road Warriors Seeking Upset The Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) secured the No. 7 seed as a wild card, backing into the playoffs but carrying the rivalry’s intensity. They aim to spoil Chicago’s postseason party on the road.
- Offensive Potential: Quarterback Jordan Love has flashed brilliance, with dynamic weapons ready to exploit any openings in the Bears’ secondary.
- Defensive Questions: While capable of big plays, the Packers have struggled with consistency late in the season, entering on a losing streak that raises concerns against Chicago’s stout unit.
Matchup Outlook This marks the third playoff meeting in the storied rivalry (Bears lead 1-1 historically), and the third clash this season after splitting the regular-season games—each decided late. The Bears are slight favorites (around 1-3 points) due to home-field advantage, their defensive edge, and the No. 2 seed’s rest benefit.
The game’s outcome likely hinges on turnovers—whether Chicago’s ball-hawking defense can force mistakes from Love, or if Green Bay can protect the ball and capitalize on big plays to pull off the road upset.
Can Caleb Williams and the Bears leverage Soldier Field to advance and build on their division title, or will Jordan Love and the Packers channel rivalry magic for a statement wild-card win? Which team do you think has the defensive edge in this matchup?
