The hunt for another ring doesn't get any easier, does it? If you've been looking at the Kansas City Chiefs schedule 2025 26, you probably noticed right away that the league isn't doing Patrick Mahomes any favors. Between an international flight to start the season and a Christmas Day showdown at Arrowhead, this calendar is absolutely packed with landmines.
It’s weird to think about, but the Chiefs actually have a "losing" record in the 2025-26 regular season based on how the year played out. Honestly, after years of dominance, seeing a 6-11 finish in the books is a shock to the system, but the schedule itself explains a lot of that friction.
The São Paulo Opener and the Brutal Start
The NFL decided to kick things off with a bang—and a very long flight. The Chiefs opened their 2025-26 campaign in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Los Angeles Chargers. Playing a "home" game for the Chargers in South America was a massive logistical headache.
Kansas City dropped that one 21-27.
Starting 0-1 isn't the end of the world, but it set a tone for a season where the travel schedule was relentless. Following that Brazil trip, they had to come back and immediately face the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s a Super Bowl-caliber opponent while you’re still trying to get your internal clock back on Central Standard Time.
They lost that one, too. 17-20.
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Why the Middle of the Season Felt So Good
There was a stretch in October where it looked like the Chiefs were back to their old selves. Basically, the defense under Steve Spagnuolo went on an absolute tear. Check out this run of games from late September through October:
- Week 4: A 37-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson usually struggles at Arrowhead, and this was no different.
- Week 6: They handled the Detroit Lions 30-17. This was one of the most complete games of the year.
- Week 7: A 31-0 shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders. Total dominance.
- Week 8: A 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders.
At that point, the Chiefs were 5-3. Fans were already booking hotel rooms for the AFC Championship game. But then the wheels sort of fell off in a way we haven't seen in the Mahomes era.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas Gauntlet
The NFL loves putting the Chiefs in the spotlight, but the Kansas City Chiefs schedule 2025 26 was particularly heavy on holiday assignments.
In Week 13, the team traveled to Arlington for a Thanksgiving Day clash with the Dallas Cowboys. It was a thriller, but the Chiefs fell short, losing 28-31. Playing on short rest is always a coin flip, and doing it against a Cowboys team that thrives at home was a tall order.
Then came the Christmas Day game.
The Denver Broncos came to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a Thursday afternoon matchup on December 25th. Usually, Arrowhead is where opposing dreams go to die, but the Broncos pulled off a 20-13 upset. It was a cold, frustrating afternoon for the Kingdom. Losing at home on Christmas to a division rival? That one stung more than most.
Breaking Down the 2025-26 Opponents
The way the NFL rotates schedules meant the Chiefs had to face the AFC South and the NFC East this year. This is why we saw matchups against teams like the Giants and Titans alongside the usual suspects.
Home Opponents at Arrowhead
The home slate was arguably one of the toughest in the league. You had the Ravens, the Lions, and the Eagles all coming to town. While the Chiefs are usually unbeatable at home, they finished the season with several uncharacteristic losses at GEHA Field, including late-season drops to the Texans and Chargers.
The Road Warrior Life
On the road, the Chiefs had to travel to Buffalo—always a war—and Tennessee. The Week 16 loss to the Titans (9-26) was perhaps the lowest point of the year. It was a game where nothing clicked. Mahomes looked human, the offensive line struggled, and the Nashville crowd was relentless.
What Really Happened with the 17th Game?
The NFL’s 17th game formula is why the Chiefs played the Detroit Lions this year. Since the Chiefs won the AFC West the previous year and the Lions won the NFC North, they were locked into that cross-conference matchup.
While the Chiefs won that specific game in Week 6, the overall strength of schedule was sitting at a .522—tied for the 11th hardest in the NFL. When you're the top dog, you get everyone's best shot. You don't get the "easy" weeks that bottom-dwellers get.
Key Stats from the 2025-26 Run
If you’re looking at the numbers, the story is in the "one-score" games. In years past, the Chiefs found a way to win those. In the Kansas City Chiefs schedule 2025 26, they simply didn't.
- Close Losses: They lost five games by 3 points or fewer.
- Offensive Slump: They failed to score more than 20 points in seven different games.
- Division Record: They went 1-5 against the AFC West, a shocking departure from their usual dominance over the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers.
Honestly, it felt like the league finally caught up to the scheme, or maybe the fatigue of deep playoff runs finally settled into the bones of the roster.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans Heading into 2026
If you're planning to follow the team through the next cycle, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Monitor the 2026 Schedule Release: The NFL usually drops the new schedule in mid-May. Expect the 2026 dates to be announced around May 13, 2026.
- Travel Planning: Since the AFC had the extra home game in 2024 and 2025 was a "road heavy" year (9 road games), the 2026 season will flip back. The Chiefs should have 9 true home games at Arrowhead next season.
- Watch the Roster Turnover: With several key veterans like DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Reid hitting free agency or moving on after the 2025 season, the team that takes the field in 2026 will look significantly different.
The 2025-26 season was a reality check. Every dynasty has a "down" year where the schedule and the injuries just don't align. The 6-11 finish was ugly, but with a high draft pick (thanks to that record) and a more favorable home-game split coming in 2026, the bounce-back is almost inevitable.