Wait. If you’re checking your phone under the dinner table to see what's the score of the chiefs bills game, you might be looking for a result that hasn't happened yet—at least not today. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs aren't actually playing each other this afternoon.
Buffalo played yesterday. They traveled to Denver and lost a heartbreaker 33-30 in overtime to the Broncos. It was a wild game, but it means the Bills' season is officially over. As for the Chiefs? They aren't even in the playoffs this year. After a uncharacteristically rough 6-11 season, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are watching the post-season from home.
It feels weird, right? We’ve become so used to seeing these two titans clash in January that it almost feels like a glitch in the Matrix when they aren't on the schedule.
What's the score of the chiefs bills game from their last meeting?
Since there isn't a live game today, the most recent "real" score between these two came back on November 2, 2025. That was a Week 9 regular-season matchup at Highmark Stadium.
The Buffalo Bills beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21.
That game was a classic Josh Allen masterclass. He threw for 273 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns. Dalton Kincaid was a beast that day, racking up 101 yards through the air. The Chiefs kept it close—because they're the Chiefs—but a late interception by rookie Maxwell Hairston sealed the deal for Buffalo.
Honestly, that win felt like a massive statement at the time. Buffalo has now won five straight regular-season games against Kansas City. The problem? They can’t seem to do it when the trophies are on the line.
Why Everyone Still Asks About This Matchup
The reason you're probably searching for what's the score of the chiefs bills game is because this rivalry has become the "Gold Standard" of the 2020s. It’s the modern-day Brady vs. Manning.
Think back to January 26, 2025. That was the last time they met in the playoffs, during the AFC Championship. The Chiefs won that one 32-29. Mahomes was magic, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown while adding two more scores on the ground. Every time Buffalo looks like they’ve finally cleared the hurdle, Kansas City finds a way to pull the rug out.
Here is a quick look at how the last few years have shaken out for these two:
- Jan 17, 2026: Bills lose to Broncos 33-30 (Divisional Round).
- Nov 2, 2025: Bills win 28-21 (Regular Season).
- Jan 26, 2025: Chiefs win 32-29 (AFC Championship).
- Nov 17, 2024: Bills win 30-21 (Regular Season).
- Jan 21, 2024: Chiefs win 27-24 (Divisional Round).
It’s a bizarre pattern. Buffalo owns the regular season; Kansas City owns the playoffs.
The 2025-2026 Season: A Changing of the Guard?
This year has been... different. The Chiefs finished the season 6-11. Let that sink in. They lost their last six games in a row. It’s the first time in the Mahomes era that the team looked genuinely human.
Buffalo, on the other hand, went 12-5 and won the AFC East, but they couldn't get past the Divisional Round. They got bounced by a Denver Broncos team led by Bo Nix, who has somehow turned into a playoff hero before getting injured in that same game.
So, if you were hoping for a Mahomes vs. Allen rematch today, you’re about a year too late or maybe a year too early.
What’s Actually Happening in the NFL Today?
If you’re looking for playoff football right now, you’ve still got some great options. The Divisional Round wraps up today with two massive games:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This kicked off at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC. The winner of this game gets to travel to Denver next week for the AFC Championship.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the night cap at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. Two historic franchises fighting for a spot in the NFC Championship.
It’s definitely a weird vibe not seeing the red and white or the blue and red of the Chiefs and Bills in these slots.
The Future of the Rivalry
Don't expect the Chiefs to stay down for long. With Mahomes under center, they’ll likely be back in the hunt by September. Buffalo is in a tougher spot—they have the talent, but the "overtime curse" and the inability to finish deep playoff runs is starting to weigh on the fan base.
Basically, the rivalry isn't dead; it’s just taking a breather.
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To keep up with the games that are happening today, you can check the live brackets on the NFL app or ESPN. Since the Bills are out and the Chiefs never made it, the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is wide open for a new champion.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the live score for the Texans vs. Patriots game currently in progress on ESPN to see who will face the Broncos in the AFC Championship. If you're a Bills fan looking for closure, the post-game analysis of their 33-30 loss to Denver is available on the Bills' official team site.