If you’re looking for the score of Kansas City football game today, January 18, 2026, you might be surprised to find that the scoreboard is blank. There isn't one. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently tearing through the weekend with matchups like the Patriots beating the Texans 28-16 earlier today, Kansas City is sitting this one out.
It’s a weird feeling, isn't it? For years, Arrowhead Stadium was basically the permanent home for January football. But this year, the Chiefs' season wrapped up weeks ago.
What was the last score of Kansas City football game?
The final time the Chiefs took the field for the 2025-2026 season was on January 4, 2026. They traveled to Allegiant Stadium to face the Las Vegas Raiders in a game that summarized their entire frustrating year.
The final score was 14-12 in favor of the Raiders. Honestly, it was a brutal way to go out. The game was a defensive slog where neither team could find the end zone through the air. Harrison Butker did what he always does, knocking through four field goals (36, 40, 47, and 41 yards) to provide every single one of Kansas City's points. But a late 60-yard dagger by Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson with just 13 seconds left on the clock ended any hope of a season-ending victory.
The Chiefs finished the year with a 6-11 record, a staggering fall from grace for a franchise that had become synonymous with Super Bowl runs.
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How did things go so wrong?
You can't talk about the score of Kansas City football game without mentioning the injury that changed everything. Patrick Mahomes, the heart of the team, suffered a season-ending ACL injury that essentially derailed their momentum. Without Mahomes, the offense struggled to find a rhythm under backup Shane Buechele.
In that final Raiders game, Buechele only managed 88 passing yards. That's not a typo. 88 yards. When you're used to seeing Mahomes put up 300 yards in his sleep, watching a game where the leading receiver (Hollywood Brown) has 64 yards feels like a different universe.
A Season of Close Calls and Heartbreak
The 6-11 record is deceptive because the Chiefs weren't getting blown out every week. They were just losing the "coin flip" games that they used to win in their sleep.
Look at the stretch that ended their season:
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- December 14: A 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
- December 21: A 26-9 thumping by the Titans.
- December 25: A 20-13 Christmas Day loss to the Broncos.
- January 4: The 14-12 heartbreaker against the Raiders.
That is four straight losses to end the year, three of them by a single possession. If you're a fan, that's almost worse than being terrible. It’s the "almost" that kills you. The defense, led by George Karlaftis, actually played well enough to win most of those games, but the offense just couldn't capitalize in the red zone.
The Playoff Picture Without KC
While we are searching for the score of Kansas City football game, the rest of the AFC is moving on. The Denver Broncos—the team that effectively knocked the Chiefs out of contention—just pulled off a dramatic 33-30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills yesterday.
It’s a changing of the guard in the AFC West. Denver finished 14-3, while the Chiefs landed in third place in the division.
What’s next for the Chiefs?
The focus has already shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft and the recovery of their star quarterback. Mahomes is reportedly deep into his rehab, and the team is expected to have a top-10 pick for the first time in ages.
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There's also the "Kelce Factor." Travis Kelce finished the season with 12 yards on 3 catches in that final Raiders game. Rumors are swirling about whether he’ll return for another year or if he’s ready to hang up the cleats and focus on his life with Taylor Swift. He has set a deadline for early March to make his decision.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor the Mahomes Rehab: Updates on his ACL recovery will determine the team's aggressive moves (or lack thereof) in free agency.
- Watch the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs are locked into a high pick. Expect them to target offensive line depth or a blue-chip receiver to help Mahomes upon his return.
- Check the Salary Cap: The Chiefs will likely need to restructure several veteran contracts this February to create room for a defensive re-tool.
The era of dominance isn't necessarily over, but the score of Kansas City football game won't matter again until the preseason kicks off in August. For now, Kansas City fans have to do something they haven't done in a decade: watch the playoffs as spectators.