🚨GAME CHANGER: Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time!

NFL Playoffs – Wild Card Round (Round of 16)

Live Game Update Included | Written for Steelers Fans

Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV Channel: FOX
Streaming: FOX Sports App, FOXSports.com
Kickoff Time: 8:15 PM ET (Updated Prime-Time Slot)

The NFL postseason atmosphere has officially reached full intensity, and Sunday night brings one of the most historic and emotionally charged matchups in football as the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in the NFC Wild Card Round.

For Steelers fans, this is not just another playoff game on the schedule. This is a reminder of what traditional, cold-weather, rivalry-driven postseason football looks like. Bears vs Packers in January is football in its rawest form: physical, emotional, and unforgiving.

Adding to the drama, the NFL moved this game into a prime-time kickoff window, instantly elevating the stakes and spotlight on one of the league’s oldest rivalries.

🔴 LIVE GAME UPDATE (Early First Quarter)

As this article is being updated live, the game has already begun at Soldier Field.

⏱ 1st Quarter – 9:00 remaining
📊 Score: Chicago Bears 3 – Green Bay Packers 0

The Bears struck first with an early field goal, capitalizing on strong field position and an aggressive opening drive. Soldier Field erupted as Chicago took an early lead, setting a physical tone from the opening snap.

For Steelers fans watching closely, this early sequence already highlights playoff truths: field position matters, points are precious, and momentum can swing quickly in rivalry games.

New Kickoff Time Changes Everything

Originally expected to kick off earlier in the day, Bears vs Packers was shifted to an 8:15 PM Eastern Time prime-time slot, transforming the matchup into one of the marquee events of Wild Card Weekend.

This late kickoff has major implications:

Colder temperatures as the game progresses
A louder, more energized crowd under the lights
Increased national attention and pressure
Greater emphasis on mental toughness

Steelers fans know this environment well. Pittsburgh has built its playoff identity in similar prime-time, cold-weather games where execution outweighs flash.

Soldier Field Weather: January Football at Its Toughest

If this game needed any more intensity, the weather has delivered classic playoff conditions.

Game-Time Forecast:

🌡 Temperature: 28–30°F
💨 Wind: 18–22 mph off Lake Michigan
❄ Feels-like temperature: Low 20s
🌧 Precipitation: Dry, but bitterly cold

The wind swirling inside Soldier Field is already affecting kicking trajectories and deep throws. The early field goal by Chicago was not automatic—it required precision in difficult conditions.

Steelers fans understand how much these elements matter. Cold, wind, and noise neutralize finesse and reward toughness, discipline, and strong special teams.

How to Watch: Broadcast Information

This NFC Wild Card showdown is being broadcast nationally on FOX, making it accessible to fans across the country.

Viewing Options:

📺 TV: FOX
📱 Streaming: FOX Sports App, FOXSports.com

For Steelers fans following every playoff storyline, this is essential viewing. Games like this define January football and set the benchmark for postseason performance.

First-Quarter Breakdown: Bears Set the Tone Early

The opening nine minutes have already delivered playoff intensity.

Chicago’s defense came out aggressively, stuffing the run and forcing Green Bay into early third-and-long situations. The Bears controlled tempo, won the field-position battle, and turned that advantage into points.

The Packers, meanwhile, are still settling in. Communication issues up front and conservative play-calling suggest Green Bay is feeling the pressure of the environment.

Steelers fans should note how Chicago’s defensive front is attacking gaps and finishing tackles—this is textbook cold-weather playoff football.

Chicago Bears: Feeding Off the Moment

Chicago entered this game as the lower seed, but early energy suggests they are embracing the underdog role.

The Bears’ opening possessions were deliberate and physical. Short passes, power runs, and smart clock management allowed them to control the pace and keep Green Bay’s offense off the field.

Taking a 3–0 lead may seem modest, but in these conditions, early points are invaluable.

This approach mirrors playoff strategies Steelers fans know well: play clean, play physical, and let pressure build on the opponent.

Green Bay Packers: Early Test of Composure

For Green Bay, the challenge is clear. Falling behind early in Soldier Field is never comfortable, especially in prime time.

The Packers’ offense has yet to find rhythm, struggling with protection and timing against an energized Bears defense. Wind conditions are limiting deep shots, forcing Green Bay to rely on precision underneath routes.

Steelers fans have seen this script before. The teams that adjust first—and avoid turnovers—usually survive.

Why This Game Matters to Steelers Fans

Even though Pittsburgh is not on the field tonight, Bears vs Packers offers critical insight for Steelers supporters.

This game answers important questions:

How do teams respond to hostile playoff environments?
How much does weather dictate strategy?
Which defenses can impose their will early?

The Steelers’ playoff success has historically been built on mastering these exact situations. Watching this game is a reminder of the standards required to advance in January.

Key Themes to Watch Going Forward

🧱 Trenches Will Decide the Winner

Both teams are committing to physical football. The offensive line that holds up best in the cold will control the second half.

🔄 Turnovers Could End It

With wind and pressure, one mistake could swing the game instantly.

🦵 Special Teams Matter

Field goals are not guaranteed. Punts, kick coverage, and hidden yardage will shape the outcome.

Steelers fans know that playoff games often come down to details that never show up in highlight reels.

Atmosphere: Soldier Field Under the Lights

As night settles in, Soldier Field is only getting louder.

The crowd is feeding off every defensive stop, every incomplete pass, every tackle for loss. This is playoff football in its purest form—no dome, no shortcuts, no excuses.

For Steelers fans, this environment feels familiar. It’s the kind of setting where championship DNA reveals itself.

Final Thoughts (Early Game Perspective)

With Chicago leading 3–0 midway through the first quarter, this Wild Card matchup is already delivering exactly what fans expected: physicality, tension, and zero margin for error.

The new prime-time kickoff, brutal January weather, and historic rivalry have combined into a true playoff test.

For Steelers fans watching closely, Bears vs Packers is more than entertainment. It is a reminder of what postseason football demands—and what it takes to survive when everything is on the line.

As the game unfolds, expect adjustments, emotional swings, and moments that define seasons.

Stay tuned. January football has officially arrived.