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The Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers rivalry is considered the NFL's oldest and most-played rivalry, with 213 matchups since 1921.
With the schedule for the 2026 NFL Season officially being released today, leaks have begun to seep through the cracks. Among the many leaks so far, it appears as though the Chicago Bears will have to cancel their Christmas plans and prepare to host the Green Bay Packers.
According to Jordan Schultz, “Sources: The heated Packers-Bears rivalry is headed to Netflix for a Christmas Day matchup in Chicago in Week 16.”
This game appears to be an early Christmas gift to the fans, as all three rounds of Bears vs. Packers were cinema in 2025. Each game was decided by one score and came down to the final series. The Bears had the last laugh last season as they rallied from a 21-3 deficit to knock the Packers out of the postseason in their 31-27 comeback Wild Card victory.
This marks the third season in which Netflix will host a Christmas Day game. Packers at Bears is rumored to open up the Christmas Day slate at 1 pm. ET. There will then be another Netflix game at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Denver Broncos are rumored to be hosting that game, and their opponent hasn’t been revealed yet, but there is speculation that it could be against the Buffalo Bills, according to John Breech of CBS Sports. Then the final game on December 25th is rumored to be another divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Seattle Seahawks. That game will take place on Fox at 8:15 p.m. ET.
NFL Attempting To Avoid Coal On Christmas Day This Season
Unsurprisingly, the Christmas Day slate appears to be loaded with top-tier matchups. NFL fans, unfortunately, received a lump of coal for last season’s slate of Christmas games.
The opening game featured the Dallas Cowboys facing off against a Jayden Daniel-less Commanders team. That was then followed up by Jared Goff vs. Max Brosmer showdown in the afternoon window. And then to close out the night, fans got to watch the AFC number one seed Denver Broncos battle the Chris Oladokun-led Chiefs.
Each game went about as you’d expect. So this year, Netflix and the league are banking on a bounce-back set of performances by placing several of the most exciting matchups from 2025 in a prime position for 2026.
Chicago Bears Rumored To Be Facing Carolina Panthers In Week One
Rumors swirled about the Chicago Bears kicking off the entire season in a battle against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seahawks. However, yesterday it was revealed that the season will actually commence with a Super Bowl LX rematch between Seattle and New England. The Bears are now rumored to open their season against the reigning NFC South champion Carolina Panthers.
“Sources: The Panthers will host the Bears in Week 1, as a pair of former #1 overall picks in Caleb Williams and Bryce Young face off,” per Jordan Schultz.
The official schedule will be released at 8 p.m. ET.
Justin Platt NFL MultiMedia Journalist and Writer at Heavy Sports More about Justin Platt