kc chief score today: Why the Season Ended in Las Vegas

kc chief score today: Why the Season Ended in Las Vegas

If you're looking for a kc chief score today, you won't find one. Not on the field, anyway. The Kansas City Chiefs are officially in "wait until next year" mode after their 2025-2026 season wrapped up a few days ago. Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for a fan base that has basically spent the last half-decade planning January parades.

The final score that ended it all was 12-14, a brutal loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026. It wasn't exactly a high-flying offensive masterclass. In fact, it was kind of a slog.

Daniel Carlson ruined the afternoon for KC with a 60-yard field goal with only eight seconds left on the clock. That kick didn't just win the game for Vegas; it slammed the door on a season that most Chiefs fans would probably rather forget.

What Happened to the KC Chief Score Today?

Since today is January 15, 2026, the NFL world has moved on to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Usually, the Chiefs are the ones everyone is talking about this time of year. Not this time. They finished the season with a 6-11 record, which is sort of shocking when you consider the Patrick Mahomes era expectations.

They finished 3rd in the AFC West. Because they aren't in the postseason, there is no kc chief score today. The team is currently conducting exit interviews and looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.

💡 You might also like: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle

Breaking Down that Final Score in Vegas

That last game at Allegiant Stadium was a defensive battle, or a struggle of an offensive one, depending on how you look at it. Harrison Butker was actually the entire Chiefs offense. He accounted for all 12 points, hitting four field goals.

  • First Quarter: Butker starts it off with a 36-yarder. (3-0 Chiefs)
  • Second Quarter: Raiders answer back with two field goals from Carlson. (6-3 Raiders)
  • Third Quarter: Butker ties it up with a 40-yard kick. (6-6)
  • Fourth Quarter: Chaos.

The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster. Carlson hit a 55-yarder to put Vegas up, then Shane Buechele—who was playing in relief of Chris Oladokun—got sacked in the end zone for a safety. That put the Raiders up 11-6.

Butker somehow clawed the Chiefs back into a lead with two more field goals, including a 41-yarder with just over a minute left. You thought they had it. Then, Aidan O'Connell orchestrated a drive that set up Carlson for that soul-crushing 60-yarder.

Why the Chiefs Aren't Playing Today

It's been a tough run. The Chiefs actually lost their last six games in a row. You read that right. Six.

📖 Related: Sammy Sosa Before and After Steroids: What Really Happened

The offense just couldn't find a rhythm late in the year. In that final game, Chris Oladokun started and went 11-for-17 for only 58 yards. When Buechele came in, he threw for 88 yards but was sacked five times. Travis Kelce, who has been the heartbeat of this team for so long, was held to just 3 catches for 12 yards.

Injuries and Roster Shifts

You can't talk about the record without mentioning the missing pieces. This wasn't the same squad that dominated the early 2020s. By the time they hit the Raiders game, the depth chart was looking pretty thin.

  1. Quarterback shuffle: With the season essentially lost, the team was looking at younger arms like Oladokun and Buechele.
  2. Running game struggles: Kareem Hunt had 5 carries for 14 yards in the finale. Brashard Smith led the way with 56 yards on 12 carries, but there was no explosive element.
  3. Defensive fatigue: The defense actually played well enough to win, but they couldn't get off the field on that final Raiders drive.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents

Even though there’s no kc chief score today, we already know who they’ll be facing when things kick off again next fall. Because they finished third in the division, their schedule is already taking shape based on the NFL's rotating formula.

They are set to play the AFC East (Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets) and the NFC West (Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, Cardinals). Plus, they have their usual six games against the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers.

👉 See also: Saint Benedict's Prep Soccer: Why the Gray Bees Keep Winning Everything

They’ll also face the third-place finishers from the other AFC divisions: the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts. Their "17th game" opponent will be the Atlanta Falcons.

Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans

Since the team is dormant for the winter, here is what you should actually be watching for:

Monitor the 2026 NFL Draft order. The Chiefs are picking much higher than usual this year. This is a rare opportunity to snag a blue-chip prospect to pair with Mahomes for the next title run.

Keep an eye on the coaching staff. After a 6-11 season, there are usually changes. While Andy Reid’s job is as safe as it gets, some of the positional rooms might see fresh faces.

Follow the Divisional Round games this weekend. Specifically, watch the Buffalo at Denver game on Saturday. Since Denver won the AFC West this year, they are the team the Chiefs have to leapfrog to get back to the top of the mountain.

The season is over, but the rebuild—or "retool"—starts now. It's a long way to September, but for a team with this much championship DNA, the work never really stops.