Chicago, Illinois – December 3, 2025
In a move that adds even more heat to one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries, the Week 16 clash between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears has officially been flexed to Saturday night primetime. The game, originally marked as a TBD kickoff for December 20, will now kick off at 7:20 p.m. CT at Soldier Field, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The decision underscores just how high the stakes are for both franchises. Green Bay and Chicago are not just fighting for NFC North supremacy, but both are firmly in the hunt for the conference’s coveted No. 1 seed. With playoff positioning on the line and legacy implications at stake, the NFL opted to showcase the historic rivalry in front of a national audience.
“This is what you play for — Saturday night, under the lights, against a rival who’s also chasing something special,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “We embrace the moment.”
The primetime battle will follow a lead-in matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, which kicks off at 4:00 p.m. CT. Both games will air on FOX as part of a marquee Saturday doubleheader.
Green Bay, now 8–4–1, has built momentum in recent weeks with Jordan Love playing at an MVP-caliber level and a defense that’s forcing key turnovers. The Bears, meanwhile, are surging behind an explosive offense under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, turning this Week 16 showdown into a potential NFC playoff preview.
Looking ahead, the Packers also have two more “TBD” time slots remaining in Week 17 vs. the Ravens and Week 18 vs. the Vikings. With Baltimore currently jockeying for the AFC North crown, that game is a strong candidate for another national spotlight.
But for now, all eyes turn to Soldier Field — where the NFC North’s fiercest rivals will battle under the lights, with postseason dreams hanging in the balance.
