So, you’re looking for the kickoff time. You’ve probably got the snacks ready, the jersey on, and you’re scrolling through the guide wondering why the channel isn't showing the Sea of Red. It’s a weird feeling, isn't it? For the last decade, checking to see is kansas city playing football today during the divisional round was basically a formality. You just assumed they were the primetime slot.
But here's the reality: if you're looking for the Kansas City Chiefs on the field today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you won’t find them.
They aren't playing. Not today, not tomorrow, and not next week. For the first time since the 2014 season, the road to the Super Bowl doesn't run through Arrowhead Stadium, and it doesn't involve Patrick Mahomes.
The Empty Slot: Why the Chiefs Aren't Playing Today
It’s honestly jarring to see a playoff bracket without the KC logo. Today’s NFL Divisional Round schedule is actually packed with some heavy hitters, but the Chiefs are watching from home just like the rest of us.
Instead of Mahomes vs. Allen, we’re getting the Buffalo Bills traveling to Denver to take on the top-seeded Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later tonight, it’s an NFC West slugfest with the San Francisco 49ers heading to Seattle to face the Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Kansas City finished the 2025-26 regular season with a dismal 6-11 record.
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Think about that for a second. This is a team that basically lived in the AFC Championship game for years. They hit a wall. Hard. The season officially ended on January 4, 2026, with a narrow 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. That game was the final nail in a coffin that had been under construction since mid-December.
What Went Wrong in the 2025 Season?
The biggest reason you aren't asking "what channel is the game on" is the injury report that looked more like a grocery list by Week 15. The most devastating blow happened on December 14. Patrick Mahomes tore both his ACL and LCL in the closing minutes of a loss to the Chargers.
It was a freak play. The kind that makes a whole city go quiet.
With Mahomes out, the offense basically evaporated. Shane Buechele stepped in, but asking a backup to navigate a late-season playoff push in the AFC West is a tall order. The Chiefs ended the year on a multi-game losing streak, failing to win a single game after Mahomes went down.
- The Division Title: Their nine-year streak of winning the AFC West is officially over.
- The Playoff Streak: Their 10-season run of making the postseason has snapped.
- The Record: 6-11 is their worst finish since the pre-Andy Reid era.
It wasn't just the quarterback, though. The defense, which had been the backbone of their recent Super Bowl runs, showed some serious age. Chris Jones is facing an uncertain offseason with trade rumors swirling. The "young" secondary from the 2023 championship run is now looking for massive second contracts that the cap-strapped Chiefs might not be able to afford.
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Who is Playing Football Today?
Even if our local favorites are sidelined, the NFL doesn't stop. If you're still looking for a football fix today, here is the actual lineup for the Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, 2026:
The Afternoon Game: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
The Broncos are the #1 seed this year. Let that sink in. Sean Payton has turned that squad around, and they’ve earned the first-round bye that used to belong to KC. They’ll host Josh Allen and the Bills, who are fresh off a Wild Card win against the Jaguars.
The Nightcap: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
This is a classic rivalry game. Seattle locked up the #1 seed in the NFC, making Lumen Field the loudest place on earth tonight. The 49ers had to grind out a win against the Eagles last week to get here.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since the answer to is kansas city playing football today is a resounding "no," fans are already looking at the 2026 calendar. Mahomes recently gave an update on his rehab, telling reporters he’s eyeing a Week 1 return in September.
"It’s a long process, but I’m excited for it," he said. He’s basically spent the last month in the gym while the rest of the AFC is fighting for a ring. That should be a scary thought for the rest of the league.
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The 2026 opponents are already set, even if the dates aren't. Because they finished third in the division, the Chiefs will actually have a "last-place" schedule (sorta). They’ll face the AFC East and the NFC West next year. That means matchups against the Patriots, Jets, and 49ers at home, with road trips to Buffalo, Miami, and Seattle.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans Today
Since you don't have a game to watch, here is how you can stay plugged into the kingdom:
- Track the Rehab: Follow the official Chiefs injury updates. Mahomes' recovery timeline is the only "score" that matters right now.
- Draft Position: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. Since the Chiefs finished 6-11, they’ll have their highest draft pick in over a decade. They desperately need a young edge rusher or a top-tier tackle.
- Scout the Competition: Watch the Broncos vs. Bills game today. One of these teams is the new hurdle the Chiefs have to clear to get back to the top of the AFC.
It’s a quiet Saturday in Kansas City, but the "disappointing" 2025 season is finally in the rearview mirror. The focus has entirely shifted to September 2026.
Check the NFL's official transaction wire over the next few weeks. With the Chiefs missing the playoffs, expect Brett Veach to be aggressive in the trade market. The roster you see today will likely look very different by the time training camp opens in St. Joseph.