Well, it finally happened. The 2025-26 season for Kansas City didn't just end with a whimper; it ended with a 60-yard dagger from a rival kicker. Honestly, if you’d told anyone back in August that the Chiefs would be sitting at home during the playoffs, they’d have laughed in your face.
But here we are.
The final score of Kansas City Chiefs game on January 4, 2026, was 14-12 in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders. It wasn't just a loss; it was a sixth consecutive defeat to close out a nightmare season. The game at Allegiant Stadium felt more like a defensive slog than a modern NFL shootout. You’ve seen Mahomes pull magic out of a hat a hundred times, but this time, the hat was empty.
The heartbreaking final score of Kansas City Chiefs game explained
The game was weirdly low-scoring for two teams that usually hate each other with more intensity. It basically came down to a battle of the kickers. Harrison Butker and Daniel Carlson accounted for almost every single point on the board.
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- First Quarter: Butker got things moving with a 36-yarder. 3-0 Chiefs.
- The Slog: By halftime, the Raiders led 6-3 after two Carlson field goals.
- The Safety: The turning point was probably in the fourth. Shane Buechele, playing for an injured Patrick Mahomes, got sacked in the end zone by Tyree Wilson. That safety gave the Raiders two points that proved to be the difference.
- The Lead: Butker actually gave Kansas City a 12-11 lead with only 1:01 left on the clock.
- The Dagger: Daniel Carlson stepped up with eight seconds left and nailed a career-high 60-yard field goal.
Final: 14-12. Raiders win.
It ended a 10-game losing streak for Las Vegas against KC. More importantly, it capped off a 6-11 season for the Chiefs—their worst in over a decade.
What happened to Patrick Mahomes?
The elephant in the room isn't just the score; it's the roster. Earlier in December, during a Week 15 loss to the Chargers, Mahomes went down with a torn left ACL. It was a "hold your breath" moment that turned into every fan's worst fear. Without Mahomes, the offense just flatlined.
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Watching Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun try to navigate Andy Reid’s complex playbook was... tough. They combined for only 146 passing yards against a Raiders defense that isn't exactly the '85 Bears.
Travis Kelce was there, but he looked human. Three catches for 12 yards. A fumble. You could see the frustration on his face. It kinda felt like the weight of the last three Super Bowl runs finally caught up to everyone at once.
Why the final score matters for the 2026 offseason
This isn't just another loss in the standings. This game officially sent the Chiefs into a rebuilding mode we haven't seen in the Mahomes era.
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- The Streak is Over: No playoffs. No 10th straight division title. No AFC Championship appearance.
- Roster Exodus: We already know backup running back Carson Steele is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Coaching Changes: Rumors are swirling about Matt Nagy looking for other opportunities as the coaching staff braces for a shake-up.
Kansas City finished third in the AFC West, behind the Denver Broncos (14-3) and the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6). That’s a sentence I didn't think I'd be writing in 2026.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since the season is over, we already know who they'll face next year based on the NFL's rotating formula. They'll have a tough road back. They play the AFC East (Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Patriots) and the NFC West (49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals). Plus, finishing third in the division means they get the third-place finishers from the AFC North (Bengals) and AFC South (Colts).
Actionable insights for Chiefs Kingdom
If you're a fan reeling from that 14-12 final score, here is how you should be looking at the next few months:
- Monitor Mahomes’ Rehab: The left ACL surgery is the story of the summer. His timeline will dictate whether the 2026 season is a "bounce back" or a "bridge year."
- Watch the Draft: Kansas City will have a much higher draft pick than they’re used to. They need speed at receiver and help on the offensive line.
- Offensive Identity: With Matt Nagy potentially out and Andy Reid getting older, the play-calling structure is going to be the biggest question mark in training camp.
The era of invincibility has a crack in it. But if there's one thing we know about this team, it's that you can never count them out for long. For now, the 12-14 loss in Vegas is the final word on a season most fans would rather forget.
Next Steps for Fans: Keep an eye on the official NFL Scouting Combine reports starting in February to see how the Chiefs plan to use their rare top-15 draft positioning to address the lack of offensive depth.