The NFL schedule drops this Thursday night. Coming off another postseason appearance — and the devastating exit that followed — the Green Bay Packers will surely be peppered into the primetime calendar a few times.
Here are three Packers games destined for a primetime slot.
AT CHICAGO BEARS
Three matchups last year, and every single one of them was an instant classic. Green Bay led all three matchups by 10 or more points in the second half, yet only went 1-2 against the Chicago Bears. The Bears claimed the NFC North crown when it was all said and done, and after a complete collapse in the playoff loss that ended Green Bay’s season, there’s no doubt one of these matchups in 2026 will be a primetime affair.
In recent years, most of those primetime games against the Bears have been at Lambeau Field. Last year, the game in Chicago was in a standalone spot on a Saturday in late December. This year, we predict the NFL will go back to that well and give the primetime Packers-Bears matchup nod to the home game in Chicago, since the Bears won the division.
After the Minnesota Vikings added Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback and the Detroit Lions are set to face a very lenient schedule, the NFC North is poised to be ultracompetitive again. The Packers and Bears are a huge reason why, and these two teams will have a lot to say about who stands at the top of the division when it’s all said and done in 2026.
The longest-tenured rivalry in the NFL always deserves a spotlight, and that’s especially true when both teams are trending in the right direction. For a long stretch, that wasn’t the case with the foundering Bears. But as much as Packers fans don’t want to hear it now, Chicago probably isn’t going anywhere. They’re good and trying to become great. A lot of the puzzle pieces are in place.
AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
Last year was the first time since 2020 that the Packers and Rams didn’t collide in the regular season. With both teams expected to be in the mix to contend in the NFC, why wouldn’t this matchup be worthy of the bright lights in primetime?
The Rams made it to the NFC Championship last season while quarterback Matthew Stafford grabbed the league MVP award. LA surprised plenty of fans and analysts by drafting quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round, but let’s not exaggerate that pick: For 2026, the Rams are still a juggernaut.
Packers fans always travel well, and SoFi Stadium has become a second home for visiting fans.
The final intriguing element is the longstanding relationship between Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay. This matchup truly checks all the boxes. Two coaches who are friends. Two contending teams in the NFC. A Green Bay fanbase that will show up loud and proud in a road environment against the reigning league MVP. Put this one in primetime.
VS BUFFALO BILLS
Josh Allen coming to Lambeau Field? Buffalo, a perennial contender team with Allen under center, going up against a Green Bay team trying to take the next step in the postseason? Count us in.
The last time these two played was all the way back in 2022 at Orchard Park. It was also a primetime game, where Allen out-dueled Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, 27-17. That game never felt particularly close.
Fast forward four years, and it’s Jordan Love in Year 3 as the starting quarterback for the Packers. He’s established real respect in the league during his tenure as a QB1. In Buffalo, the motto is “As long as we have Allen, we have a shot.” However, the postseason shortcomings have become increasingly difficult for Bills fans to digest.
Picture an early December game with a light snow falling on the turf at Lambeau, with the Bills in their all-white jerseys and the Packers in the classic home green with the gold pants. Who isn’t signing up for that?
Allen vs. Love, Packers vs. Bills, in a potential snow game in December at Lambeau Field? No football fan in the world says no to that.
