Chiefs Game Score Now: Why Kansas City Missed the 2026 Playoffs

If you’re refreshing your feed for a Chiefs game score now, the reality is a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom. There is no live score. For the first time in over a decade—11 seasons to be exact—the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing in the NFL divisional round this January.

While the Houston Texans and New England Patriots battle it out today, January 18, 2026, the Chiefs are already looking toward the draft. It feels weird, doesn't it? Since Patrick Mahomes took over, January has basically been a Red Sea holiday. But the 2025-26 season didn't follow the script.

The Chiefs Game Score Now is "0-0" Because the Season is Over

The Chiefs finished their 2025-26 campaign with a disappointing 6-11 record. Their final game took place on January 4, 2026, against the Las Vegas Raiders. They lost that one 14-12, a fittingly frustrating end to a season defined by missed opportunities and uncharacteristic offensive stagnation.

Honestly, watching the Chiefs this year was like watching a luxury car that just couldn't get out of second gear. Mahomes was under constant duress. Travis Kelce, though he crossed the incredible 13,000 career receiving yards milestone in that Raiders game, often found himself bracketed by double-teams that the younger receivers couldn't exploit.

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Why the Playoff Streak Snapped

People keep asking what happened. How does a team with this much hardware suddenly fall to third in the AFC West?

1. The Injury Bug: It wasn't just "bumps and bruises." Losing key starters late in the season forced the Chiefs to lean on depth that wasn't quite ready for the spotlight.
2. Offensive Identity Crisis: We saw three different quarterbacks under center in the final weeks. Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun showed flashes, but you can’t replace #15.
3. The Divisional Power Shift: The Denver Broncos didn't just improve; they dominated. Denver finished 13-3 and earned the AFC's top seed, effectively slamming the door on Kansas City's usual path to the postseason.

Looking Back at the Final Scores

If you're tracking the tail end of the season to see where it all went sideways, the final stretch was brutal. The Chiefs hit a seven-game losing streak to close out the year.

• Week 15: A tight 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
• Week 16: A 26-9 thumping by the Tennessee Titans.
• Week 17: A Christmas Day 20-13 loss to the Broncos.
• Week 18: The 14-12 season-ender against Las Vegas.

It’s a bizarre sight. Usually, by mid-January, we're talking about AFC Championship ticket prices and Mahomes' "grim reaper" mode. Instead, the team is evaluating whether to trade up in the draft or overhaul the offensive line.

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The Silver Linings (Yes, There are a Few)

It wasn't all gloom. Chris Jones remained a monster on the interior, consistently racking up sacks even when the game was slipping away. Xavier Worthy and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown provided some highlight-reel catches that reminded everyone of what this offense can be when it's clicking.

Travis Kelce reaching 13,000 yards is also legendary stuff. He’s only the third tight end in the history of the game to do it. Even in a "down" year for the team, he proved why he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

What's Next for the Kansas City Chiefs?

So, no Chiefs game score now means it's officially "mock draft season" in Missouri. The organization has some massive decisions to make.

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The biggest priority? Protecting the franchise. Mahomes' health and the stability of the offensive line will be the talking points all through February and March. There's also the question of age. This roster is getting older in key spots, and the "three-peat" dream that started the season ended with a whimper rather than a bang.

Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans

Don't just sit in the dark and mourn the playoff streak. Here is how to handle the off-season:

• Track the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have a much higher pick than they’ve had in years. Keep an eye on the top-tier offensive tackles and interior linemen.
• Watch the AFC Championship: The Broncos and the winner of today’s Texans/Patriots game represent the new hurdles. Understanding how they won can give you a better idea of how the Chiefs need to retool.
• Review the Cap Space: Retaining talent like Chris Jones while bringing in fresh blood is going to be a tightrope walk for GM Brett Veach.

The dynasty isn't necessarily dead, but it's definitely in the shop for repairs. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs as a neutral observer—it’s a lot less stressful, even if it feels fundamentally wrong.