Honestly, if you're looking for a football Kansas city score for a playoff game today, January 18, 2026, you're going to be disappointed.
The scoreboard at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is dark.
For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. It feels weird, right? For nearly a decade, January in Kansas City meant red jerseys, freezing tailgates, and Patrick Mahomes working some kind of late-game magic. But this year, the "Mahomes Invitational"—as fans jokingly called the AFC Championship streak—is officially canceled.
While the New England Patriots were busy taking down the Houston Texans 28-16 earlier today, the Chiefs were already in "evaluation mode."
Why the Football Kansas City Score Looks Different This Year
The final football Kansas city score of the 2025-2026 season was a dismal 12-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders back on January 4th.
That game pretty much summed up the entire year. Harrison Butker, who has been the most reliable part of the roster lately, nailed a 41-yard field goal to give KC a one-point lead with just over a minute left. Most of us thought, "Okay, they'll escape with a win." Then Daniel Carlson happened. He crushed a career-long 60-yarder with eight seconds on the clock to end the Raiders' 10-game losing streak and seal the Chiefs' fate at 6-11.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
It's been a brutal slide. Kansas City lost their last six games straight.
The Patrick Mahomes Factor
You can't talk about the score without talking about the health of No. 15. Mahomes spent a good chunk of the season struggling with the aftermath of knee surgery. It wasn't just the mobility; the timing felt off. When you're used to seeing a guy escape a collapsing pocket and throw a no-look pass for a first down, watching him get sacked by Tyree Wilson for a safety—which actually happened in that Raiders game—is a gut punch.
The offense averaged only about 18 points per game over the final stretch. In the modern NFL, you aren't winning anything with those numbers.
A Season of Near Misses and Heartbreak
If you look at the schedule, the "football Kansas city score" in almost every game was close. That’s the frustrating part for fans. They weren't getting blown out; they were just losing the "clutch" moments they used to own.
- Week 17 vs. Denver: A 13-20 loss where the offense just couldn't find the end zone.
- Week 13 @ Dallas: A 28-31 shootout that reminded everyone of the old Chiefs, but the defense couldn't get a stop when it mattered.
- Week 12 vs. Indy: Their last win. A 23-20 overtime nail-biter that turned out to be a false dawn.
The Chiefs finished 3rd in the AFC West. Let that sink in. Behind the Chargers and the Broncos. Sean Payton and the Broncos actually played yesterday, losing a heartbreaker 33-30 to Buffalo in overtime, but at least they were there.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
What the Experts are Saying
NFL analysts like Nate Taylor and various beat writers have pointed to the "roster fatigue." After three consecutive Super Bowl runs, the wear and tear is real. The Chiefs have played more football than almost anyone else over the last five years.
Travis Kelce still had his moments, but the "Kelce-Mahomes" connection wasn't enough to paper over the cracks in the offensive line this time around. Teams have figured out how to bracket Kelce and dare the young receivers to beat them. This year, they didn't.
The Reality of a 6-11 Record
Most people searching for a football Kansas city score right now are probably checking their brackets and realizing the AFC is wide open. Without KC in the mix, the path to the Super Bowl goes through Denver or New England.
It’s a strange transition period. We’ve been spoiled.
The 2025 season will likely be remembered as the "Reset Year." The Chiefs are heading into the 2026 Draft with a much higher pick than they’ve had in a decade. They need a speed threat at wideout and some fresh blood on the edges.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Basically, the dynasty isn't dead, but it’s definitely in the shop for repairs.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
Since there is no live football Kansas city score to track tonight, the focus shifts entirely to the off-season. Andy Reid has already signaled that there will be "significant changes" to the coaching staff and the personnel.
If you're a die-hard fan, keep an eye on the salary cap movements. The Chiefs need to figure out how to keep their core together while injecting enough youth to survive a 17-game grind.
Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Track the Draft Order: With a 6-11 finish, the Chiefs are looking at a top-10 pick. Watch for scouting reports on top-tier offensive tackles and receivers.
- Monitor Mahomes’ Rehab: The success of the 2026 season depends entirely on Patrick Mahomes returning to 100% mobility.
- Watch the AFC Championship: See who emerges as the new "team to beat" next week when the Patriots face the Broncos.
The "football Kansas city score" might be 0-0 for the rest of the winter, but the work for next September starts now.