If you're refreshing your browser looking for the chiefs game live score right now, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, you might be feeling a bit of a sting. There isn't a score to find. At least, not for Kansas City.
The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs is officially underway today, but for the first time in over a decade, the Chiefs aren't in the building. It’s weird, honestly. We’re so used to seeing Mahomes and Kelce basically owning January that a Saturday playoff slate featuring the Buffalo Bills at the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks feels like a glitch in the matrix.
But facts are facts. The Kansas City Chiefs finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a 6-11 record.
The Brutal Reality of the Chiefs Game Live Score
The season didn't just end; it sort of sputtered out in a way nobody expected. Their final game on January 4, 2026, against the Las Vegas Raiders was a microcosm of the whole year. They lost 14-12. It was a kicker’s duel that came down to the wire, with Harrison Butker nailing a 41-yarder to take a late lead, only for Daniel Carlson to crush a career-long 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left.
That loss didn't just end the season; it snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Raiders. For Chiefs fans, seeing a 12-14 final score against a team that was 3-14 was the ultimate "how did we get here?" moment.
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Why the Playoffs Are Moving On Without KC
While you won't see a live score for the Chiefs today, the rest of the AFC is very much alive.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This is the big one for the afternoon slot. Denver is hosting a playoff game at Mile High—something that felt impossible a few years ago.
- The NFC Side: Later tonight, the Seahawks and 49ers are going to beat the brakes off each other in Seattle.
- Tomorrow's Games: We've got the Houston Texans heading to New England and the Rams facing the Chicago Bears.
It’s a different landscape. The AFC West crown, which usually has "Chiefs" written on it in permanent marker, belongs to someone else this year. Specifically, the Broncos managed to leverage that home-field advantage to secure the #1 seed.
Breaking Down the 2025 Stats
Looking back at the final chiefs game live score trends from the season reveals a defense that tried its heart out while the offense struggled to find its rhythm. Patrick Mahomes finished the year with 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Those aren't "bad" numbers for a normal human, but for Mahomes? It felt like the engine was misfiring.
Travis Kelce was still the primary target, racking up 851 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the explosive plays we’re used to—those 40-yard daggers—were rare. Kareem Hunt led the ground game with 611 yards and 8 touchdowns, but the consistency just wasn't there.
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The defense, led by Nick Bolton's massive 154 tackles and Chamarri Conner's 117, kept them in games. That's why so many of their losses were by one possession. They weren't getting blown out; they were just losing the "clutch" moments they used to win in their sleep.
What to Watch for in 2026
Since the Chiefs are already in offseason mode, the focus shifts to the draft and the schedule for next year. We already know who they'll be playing. Because they finished third in the AFC West, they get a "third-place schedule."
This means they'll face teams like the Atlanta Falcons, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Indianapolis Colts. It’s a bit of a silver lining. A easier schedule often leads to a quicker bounce-back. Plus, they’ll play the entire AFC East and NFC West.
Actionable Steps for Displaced Chiefs Fans
If you're still looking for the chiefs game live score out of habit, here is how to navigate the rest of this postseason:
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1. Follow the AFC West rivals. Whether you're hate-watching or just curious, the Broncos are the team to watch today. If they fall to Buffalo, the division stays wide open for next year.
2. Scout the 2026 opponents. Watch the Texans and the Patriots tomorrow. The Chiefs will see both of those teams next season, and both have young rosters that are currently peaking.
3. Keep an eye on the injury report. A lot of the Chiefs' struggles this year were compounded by nagging injuries to the secondary. The offseason is about getting healthy and seeing how the front office handles the "17th game" addition against Atlanta.
4. Check the box scores for the Kelowna Chiefs. If you see a "Chiefs" score popping up today, it’s likely the Kelowna Chiefs from the KIJHL. They played the Princeton Posse yesterday (lost 4-2) and are playing the Osoyoos Coyotes tonight. Don't let the name trip you up on your sports app.
The dynasty isn't necessarily over, but the "live score" era for this specific season is done. It's time to look toward the 2026 draft and see how Andy Reid retools for a run at Super Bowl LXI.