If you were looking for a high-flying, Patrick Mahomes-led offensive clinic to close out the year, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The kansas city chiefs final score from their regular-season finale on January 4, 2026, was a grim 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yeah. Twelve points. No touchdowns. Just four Harrison Butker field goals and a lot of questions.
Honestly, it was a weird game. Allegiant Stadium is usually a second home for the Chiefs, but this time around, the magic just wasn't there. Without Mahomes under center—who’s been sidelined with that ACL injury—the offense looked lost. They were basically stuck in second gear for sixty minutes.
The Brutal Breakdown: Kansas City Chiefs Final Score in Vegas
The scoreboard doesn't always tell the whole story, but in this case, it kinda does. The Chiefs managed to grab a late lead when Butker nailed a 41-yarder with just 1:01 left on the clock. At 12-11, it felt like they might actually escape with a win.
Then Daniel Carlson happened.
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The Raiders kicker launched a career-long 60-yard field goal with only eight seconds left. It sailed through the uprights, the crowd went nuts, and the Chiefs fell to 6-11 on the season. It’s their first-ever loss at Allegiant Stadium. Talk about a "worst-case scenario" ending.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
- 1st Quarter: Chiefs 3, Raiders 0
- 2nd Quarter: Chiefs 3, Raiders 6
- 3rd Quarter: Chiefs 6, Raiders 6
- 4th Quarter: Chiefs 12, Raiders 14
You've probably noticed there aren't many big numbers there. It was a kicker’s duel, plain and simple. Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun shared the quarterback duties, but they couldn't find the end zone. At one point, Buechele was sacked in his own end zone for a safety—those two points literally ended up being the margin of victory.
Why the Offense Smothered
It’s easy to blame the backup QBs, but the protection was... let's say "porous." Tyree Wilson for the Raiders was living in the Chiefs' backfield. He finished with two sacks and forced two fumbles.
Then there’s the Travis Kelce factor. This might have been his final game. The 36-year-old legend caught three passes for 12 yards. He even fumbled on the very last play of the game during a desperate lateral attempt. It wasn't the "storybook ending" anyone expected for arguably the greatest tight end ever.
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Watching the game, you could tell the rhythm was off. The Raiders actually entered this game with a 10-game losing streak and had already been guaranteed the number one overall pick in the upcoming draft. They had "nothing" to play for, yet they played like it was the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Chiefs looked like a team ready for the off-season.
What This Score Means for the 2026 Draft
Because the kansas city chiefs final score ended in a loss, they officially secured the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That’s a weird place for this franchise to be. Usually, they’re picking 31st or 32nd. Now, they’re in the top ten. For a team that started the season dreaming of a three-peat, picking in the top ten is a cold bucket of water.
The silver lining? They need help. Fast.
The defense, led by Chris Jones, kept them in it, but you can’t win in this league scoring 12 points. Not when the other team’s kicker is hitting 60-yarders like they're extra points.
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Moving Toward the 2026 Off-Season
So, what’s next? The season is officially over. No playoffs. No parade. Just a lot of film to watch and a quarterback to get healthy.
If you're a fan, you should keep a close eye on the medical reports for Mahomes' recovery. That’s the "Score" that actually matters now. Also, keep an eye on Travis Kelce’s social media—if he’s going to hang them up, it’ll likely happen before the scouting combine in February.
Your Next Steps:
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Now that the 14-12 loss is official, the Chiefs are locked at #9. Start looking at mock drafts for offensive tackle or wide receiver help.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: There are rumors of "personnel reshuffling" after this six-game losing streak.
- Mahomes Update: Follow the team's official injury reports to see if Patrick is on track for a 100% return by training camp.
The era isn't over, but the 2025-2026 chapter is definitely one the Kingdom wants to forget.