If you were looking for a high-flying shootout to close out the season, you probably turned the TV off by the second quarter. Honestly, watching the most recent kansas city football score crawl to a 14-12 finish against the Raiders felt more like a 1920s defensive struggle than a modern NFL finale.
The Chiefs wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign with a whimper on January 4, 2026. A 14-12 loss. That was the final tally at Allegiant Stadium. It wasn't just a loss; it was the sixth straight defeat for a team that usually spends January planning Super Bowl parades. Instead of a playoff berth, Kansas City finished 6-11.
What happened in that final game?
Basically, it was a battle of the kickers. Harrison Butker and Daniel Carlson accounted for almost every single point on the board. Butker was a machine, going 4-for-4, including a 41-yarder with just over a minute left that actually gave the Chiefs a 12-11 lead. For a second there, it looked like they might steal one.
Then Daniel Carlson happened.
With eight seconds left on the clock, Carlson hammered a career-long 60-yard field goal. It cleared the uprights, and just like that, the Raiders snapped their own 10-game losing streak. The stats from this game are... well, they're "gritty," to put it nicely.
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- Passing: Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele split duties under center, combining for a grand total of zero touchdowns.
- The Safety: Tyree Wilson sacked Buechele in the end zone during the fourth quarter. Those two points for Las Vegas ended up being the literal difference in the game.
- The Ground Game: Brashard Smith led the Chiefs with 56 rushing yards.
Why the 2025 season fell apart
You've probably heard the talk about Patrick Mahomes and his season-ending injury. It happened late in December—a torn ACL that basically sucked the air out of the building. Without #15, the offense lost its identity. Pete Carroll, who took over the coaching reins in a move that still feels a little surreal to see on the sidelines, tried to steady the ship, but you can't just "replace" the best quarterback in the world.
The Chiefs finished third in the AFC West. Behind the Broncos (who went a staggering 14-3) and the Chargers (11-6). It’s the first time in a decade they haven't made the postseason.
Looking at the kansas city football score trends
If you look at the scoring averages for the year, the defense actually showed up. They ranked 6th in the league, giving up only about 19.3 points per game. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit did their job. The problem? The offense plummeted to 21st in the league, averaging a mere 21.3 points.
When you can't break 20 points in four of your last five games, you're going to lose. Period.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule and Roster Shakeups
Now that the dust has settled on that 12-14 kansas city football score, the front office is already pivoting. There is massive news regarding the stadium—Kansas has basically won the "border war," committing up to $1.8 billion in STAR bonds to bring the team over to the Kansas side of the state line.
But back to the turf. We already know who the Chiefs are playing in 2026, even if the dates aren't set yet. Because they finished third in the division, their schedule looks a little different than the "gauntlet" they've faced in years past.
- AFC West: The usual suspects—Broncos, Raiders, Chargers.
- AFC East: This includes the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots.
- NFC West: Matchups against the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals.
- The "Third Place" Finishers: Because they landed in third, they'll face the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North) and the Indianapolis Colts (AFC South).
The Matt Nagy Situation
As of January 13, 2026, word is out that Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy is likely moving on. He's been interviewing with the Ravens and Titans. Reports from Nate Taylor at ESPN suggest Andy Reid (who remains in a senior advisory/leadership role despite the coaching shifts) won't be looking internally for the next OC. They need fresh blood to reinvent the scheme while Mahomes rehabs.
Is Travis Kelce done?
That’s the $87 million question. Kelce has been "contemplating retirement" for what feels like three years now, but the team did just secure a new tight end for the 2026 roster. Kelce only managed 3 catches for 12 yards in that final Raiders game. It's clear the physical toll is mounting.
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What you should do next
If you're a fan or a bettor looking at future odds, the main thing to watch is Mahomes’ recovery timeline. ACL surgeries in December usually mean a 9-to-12 month recovery.
Keep an eye on the NFL Draft in April. For the first time since 2017, the Chiefs might actually be in the market for a high-round quarterback, not to replace Mahomes, but to ensure that if 2026 starts slow, they don't end up with another string of 12-point games.
Monitor the free agent market for veteran backups. Names like Russell Wilson or even a return for Carson Wentz are being floated in Kansas City circles right now.
The era of dominance isn't necessarily over, but the kansas city football score from the last month of the season proves that even the kings of the AFC are human when the injury bug bites hard.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official rehab updates for Patrick Mahomes; his availability for Week 1 of 2026 will dictate the entire AFC West betting line.
- Follow the STAR bond legislation in Kansas if you're interested in the stadium move, as it will impact ticket pricing and location by 2027-2028.
- Watch for the NFL Scouting Combine in late February to see which "insurance" quarterbacks the Chiefs are interviewing.