The question of what is the score of the chiefs lately hasn't been the easy "another win for Mahomes" conversation we've had for years. It’s been weird. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a gut-punch for the Kingdom. If you were looking for a playoff result or a deep run score, you won't find it this January.
The Chiefs aren't playing right now. They’re home.
In a season that felt more like a fever dream than a title defense, Kansas City wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026, with a loss that perfectly summarized their year. They fell to the Las Vegas Raiders with a final score of 14-12. It was a grind. A defensive slugfest. And for the Chiefs, it was the final nail in a 6-11 season that left the NFL world staring at the standings in genuine disbelief.
Breaking Down the Score of the Chiefs Season Finale
The Week 18 matchup at Allegiant Stadium wasn't pretty. If you look at the box score, it tells a story of missed opportunities and a struggling offense. The Chiefs actually held a lead late in the game. Harrison Butker, who was basically the team's entire offense for stretches of the year, nailed a 41-yard field goal with just 1:01 left on the clock. That put KC up 12-11.
Then, the unthinkable for a team used to "Mahomes Magic" happened.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
The Raiders marched down. Daniel Carlson, who had already been busy all day, stepped up and crushed a career-long 60-yard field goal with only eight seconds remaining. The ball cleared the uprights, the Raiders bench went wild, and the Chiefs walked off the field with their sixth straight loss.
It's kinda wild when you look at the stats from that game. Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun handled the quarterback duties—Mahomes was sidelined—and they combined for zero touchdowns. The scoring came entirely from the foot of Harrison Butker, who went 4-for-4. The Raiders didn't even score a touchdown either; they won on four Daniel Carlson field goals and a safety when Tyree Wilson sacked Buechele in the end zone.
What Happened to the Dominance?
When people ask what is the score of the chiefs these days, they're often expecting to hear about a high-flying offense. Not this year. The 2025-2026 season was a brutal slide. After a somewhat decent start—they were 6-5 after an overtime win against the Colts in late November—the wheels just fell off.
They didn't win another game.
✨ Don't miss: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
Losing to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving (31-28) started a spiral. Then came the Texans (20-10), the Chargers (16-13), and a lopsided loss to the Titans (26-9). Even a Christmas Day game at Arrowhead against the Broncos couldn't save them; they lost that one 20-13. By the time they hit that 14-12 finale against Vegas, the playoff hopes were already dead and buried.
A Look at the Final 2025-2026 Standings
The AFC West looked upside down this year. It's not something fans are used to seeing. The Denver Broncos surged to the top of the division with a 14-3 record, while the Chargers snagged a wild card spot at 11-6. The Chiefs finished third at 6-11, just ahead of the 3-14 Raiders.
| Opponent | Result | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos (Dec 25) | Loss | 13-20 |
| Tennessee Titans (Dec 21) | Loss | 9-26 |
| L.A. Chargers (Dec 14) | Loss | 13-16 |
| Houston Texans (Dec 7) | Loss | 10-20 |
| Las Vegas Raiders (Jan 4) | Loss | 12-14 |
This wasn't just a bad bounce here or there. The Chiefs' offense, which has been the gold standard for nearly a decade, averaged fewer than 15 points per game during that final six-game losing streak.
Why the Score of the Chiefs Matters for 2026
The 2025 season is over, but the fallout is just beginning. As of mid-January 2026, the team is already making moves. Reports surfaced on January 15 that Andy Reid and the organization have begun parting ways with members of the coaching staff, including wide receivers coach Todd Pinkston.
🔗 Read more: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
The 6-11 finish means the Chiefs are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a much higher pick than they’ve had in years. They need help. The offensive line struggled late in the season, and the lack of a consistent deep threat was glaring.
The silver lining? The schedule for next season is already taking shape. Because of their third-place finish, they'll face a slate that includes the AFC East and NFC West, plus games against the Bengals and Bills.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
If you're a fan trying to make sense of the score of the chiefs and where things go from here, keep an eye on these specific markers over the next few months:
- The Scouting Combine: Watch for the Chiefs to prioritize explosive playmakers and interior offensive line depth.
- Free Agency (March): Look for the front office to be uncharacteristically aggressive in the veteran market to plug holes that Mahomes can't fix alone.
- Coaching Hires: The turnover in the coaching room suggests a philosophical shift. If they bring in a new offensive mind, expect the playbook to look significantly different by August.
The 14-12 loss to the Raiders was a low point, but in the NFL, the bottom of the standings is often the only place where you find the tools to climb back to the top. The "score" isn't just about the points on the board right now; it's about the urgency this failure has created in Kansas City.