Honestly, if you’re looking for a kc chiefs live score right now, you’re probably staring at a screen that says "Final." That’s because the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025-2026 season just wrapped up in a way that nobody—and I mean nobody—saw coming.
It was weird.
For the first time since 2014, the playoffs are happening, and the Chiefs aren’t in them. They finished the year with a 6-11 record. It’s a gut punch for a fanbase that basically forgot what it felt like to lose more than four games in a year. The season ended with a whimper on January 4, 2026, with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The kc chiefs live score that broke the streak
Looking back at that final score against the Raiders, it felt like a microcosm of the whole year. A sloppy, low-scoring affair at Allegiant Stadium where the offense just couldn't find a rhythm. Patrick Mahomes was out with a season-ending ACL and LCL injury, leaving Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun to try and steer a ship that was already taking on water.
Buechele put up 88 yards. Oladokun showed some sparks earlier in the month, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Vegas team that was playing for the number one draft pick.
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Most people checking the kc chiefs live score during that Week 18 matchup were hoping for a miracle to keep some pride alive. Instead, they got a six-game losing streak to end the season. It’s the kind of slump that makes you question everything about the roster.
What happened to the Mahomes magic?
It’s hard to talk about the Chiefs without talking about #15. Before the injury, Mahomes was still doing Mahomes things, but the numbers were... human. He finished 2025 with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. For any other QB, that's a career year. For Patrick? It was a "down" season.
Then the ACL tear happened.
The injury changed the entire landscape of the AFC West. Suddenly, the Denver Broncos were the ones sitting at 14-3, and the Chiefs were fighting to stay out of the cellar. It's a reminder of how thin the margin is in the NFL. One bad plant, one awkward tackle, and the "dynasty" looks a lot more like a rebuilding project.
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Why the defense wasn't actually the problem
You’d think a 6-11 team would have a defense like a sieve. Surprisingly, that wasn't the case. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit actually finished as a top-10 defense in terms of points allowed.
They gave up only 328 points all season. That’s better than several playoff teams. Nick Bolton was a monster again, and Chris Jones remained the wrecking ball we all know and love. But when your offense is averaging 12 or 13 points a game during the final stretch, your defense has to be perfect.
And nobody is perfect for 60 minutes every Sunday.
Realities of the 2026 Offseason
Now that the kc chiefs live score is no longer a weekly concern, the front office is looking at a massive shake-up. We’ve already seen some movement. Carson Steele, the bruising back who spent most of the year on the sidelines, is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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There’s also talk about Matt Nagy. His contract is up, and with the offense stagnating, many experts—including insiders like Tom Pelissero—expect he might look for a fresh start elsewhere.
How to track the Chiefs in 2026
Even though the pads are off for now, the news cycle never stops. If you’re a die-hard, you’re probably already looking ahead to the 2026 draft and training camp.
- Watch the Recovery: All eyes are on Mahomes’ rehab. Andy Reid has already told reporters he expects a "fairly quick recovery," but 30-year-old knees are different than 22-year-old knees.
- Coaching Changes: Keep an eye on the coordinator positions. If Nagy leaves, who does Reid bring in to modernize an offense that felt a bit stale?
- Draft Position: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have their highest draft pick in a decade. This isn't a team used to picking in the top 10. They have a chance to grab a generational talent to pair with Xavier Worthy.
The era of dominance isn't necessarily over, but it’s definitely on pause. The 2025 season was a reality check. For those of us used to seeing the kc chiefs live score reflect a blowout victory every week, it’s going to be a long, interesting spring in Kansas City.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close watch on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. The Chiefs desperately need to address the offensive line depth and find a reliable second option behind Travis Kelce, who is also facing retirement rumors. Sign up for local beat reporter feeds like The Kansas City Star to get the first word on Mahomes' progress on the field.