Who plays on 'Sunday Night Football' tonight? Time, TV channel, schedule for NFL Week 2 game

Author Photo
Sunday Night Football on NBC
(SN illustration)

Squint enough and you might see the ghosts of the past take the field for this week's "Sunday Night Football" game.

The Packers and Bears are Nos. 1 and 2 in regular-season games played. They've clashed 204 times in the regular season and playoffs, another NFL record. And for each of the past 16 years, Green Bay and Chicago have met in a prime-time, nationally televised game.

So when the two sides meet under the lights at Lambeau Field on Sunday, there certainly won't be any love lost.

This year's Green Bay portion of the series is being played under circumstances that are slightly different than usual. For starters, the Bears enter with the better record, having snatched a victory against the 49ers in monsoon-like conditions last weekend in Chicago.

MORE: Watch Packers vs. Bears live with fuboTV (free trial)

The Pack, meanwhile, came out flat against the Vikings. They looked every bit like a team that had failed to adequately replace its star wide receiver. Even the great Aaron Rodgers looked ordinary; he failed to record a passing touchdown for only the 27th time in his storied career.

All of that amounted to an opening-week L.

But a week can make all the difference. Lining up against its hated rival should help energize Green Bay in some way.

Lambeau will be the place to be Sunday night. Here's how you can follow the action.

Who plays on 'Sunday Night Football' tonight?

  • Matchup: Bears at Packers
  • Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

The Packers will host the Bears in this week's "Sunday Night Football" game. Green Bay dominated the matchup in 2021 — the Pack swept both games against their rivals.

Rodgers was electric in those two games, totaling seven touchdowns (six passing, one rushing).

But both teams enter Sunday's affair shrouded in uncertainty after trading game-changers in the offseason. The Packers dealt Davante Adams to the Raiders while the Bears sent Khalil Mack to the Chargers.

Chicago is entering Year 2 of the Justin Fields era. It got off to a decent start in Week 1; Fields outdueled fellow youngster Trey Lance to propel Chicago to a 19-10 win over San Francisco, which played in the NFC title game last season.

The start of the post-Adams era proved far less fruitful for Green Bay. After scoring just a touchdown in a 23-7 loss at Minnesota, the pressure is on to produce a better performance against the Pack's biggest NFC North rival.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

    • Date: Sunday, Sept. 18
    • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

    Sunday's game will take place in NBC's prime-time slot of 8:20 p.m. ET. That's when all "Sunday Night Football" games are scheduled to begin this season.

    Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play call. He'll be joined by Cris Collinsworth in the booth. Reporter Melissa Stark will offer updates from the sideline.

    What channel is 'Sunday Night Football' on tonight?

      • Game: Bears at Packers
      • Date: Sunday, Sept. 18
      • TV channel: NBC
      • Live stream: Peacock | NBCSports.com | fuboTV | DAZN (in Canada)

      The final game of Week 2's Sunday slate will be broadcast on NBC, although there are a lot of other ways to watch the divisional matchup.

      Those with cable subscriptions can find the game on Peacock and NBCSports.com free. Cord-cutters can also find the game on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

      Canadian fans can watch the action on DAZN.

      IYER: Eagles, Vikings climb NFC hierarchy in latest NFL power rankings

      NFL live stream for Packers vs. Bears

      Packers vs. Bears will be broadcast on NBC in the United States, but that's not the only place to find the game.

      It will also be streamed live on NBCSports.com and Peacock for those with a cable package. Those without a cable plan can still watch the game on Peacock, but with a subscription.

      Cord-cutters can also access Sunday night's clash via fuboTV, which offers a free trial. FuboTV also carries CBS, Fox, ESPN and NFL Network in addition to NBC, meaning football fans can get a steady dose of gridiron action through the service.

      Other streaming options for Packers vs. Bears are as follows:

      Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
      NFL App Yes Yes
      Yahoo! Sports App Yes Yes
      NFL+ No No $9.99/month Yes
      DirecTV Stream No No $49.99/month Yes
      fuboTV No No $69.99/month Yes
      Hulu Plus Live TV No No $69.99/month Yes
      Sling TV No No $35/month Yes
      YouTube TV No No $54.99/month Yes
      Author(s)
      David Suggs Photo

      David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.