You're probably staring at your remote right now, or maybe scrolling through a cluttered TV guide, wondering exactly what channel can I watch the Chiefs game on tonight. I get it. The post-season is absolute chaos, and the NFL's broadcasting deals have become a tangled web of cable networks, local affiliates, and about six different streaming apps you forgot you subscribed to.
Here is the cold, hard reality for tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026: The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing tonight.
I know, it’s a bummer if you had the wings ready. But if you look at the updated Divisional Round bracket, the Chiefs' 2025-2026 season actually ended a couple of weeks ago. After a grueling 18-week stretch, Kansas City finished with a 6-11 record, missing out on the AFC playoff picture entirely. While Mahomes and Kelce are usually staples of January football, this year they're watching from the couch just like us.
What games are actually on tonight?
Since you've already got the TV on, you might as well catch the Divisional Round action that is happening. The AFC matchup everyone is talking about features the Buffalo Bills heading into the thin air of Denver to take on the Broncos. That one kicks off at 4:30 PM ET and you can find it on CBS. If you're a cord-cutter, you can stream that specific game on Paramount+.
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Later tonight, at 8:00 PM ET, the NFC takes over. It’s an old-school divisional grudge match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. That game is airing on FOX.
So, while the answer to what channel can I watch the Chiefs game on tonight is technically "none," there is plenty of high-stakes football to fill the void.
Why the Chiefs missed the 2026 playoffs
It honestly feels weird to have a January Saturday without a sea of red jerseys on the screen. The Chiefs have been the "final boss" of the NFL for so long that we just assume they'll be there. But the 2025 season was a reality check for the Kingdom.
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The struggle started early. Remember that Week 1 loss to the Chargers in Brazil? That set a weird tone. By the time they hit the late-season stretch, the offense just couldn't find its rhythm. They lost five straight games to end the season, including a Christmas Day heartbreaker to the Broncos and a final Week 18 loss to the Raiders.
- Final Record: 6-11
- Key Stat: The Chiefs offense averaged its lowest point total of the Mahomes era.
- The Turning Point: A Week 14 loss to Houston that seemingly broke the team's momentum for good.
Basically, the AFC West was a gauntlet this year. The Broncos (14-3) and the Chargers both outpaced Kansas City, leaving the Chiefs at the bottom of the division for the first time in over a decade.
How to track the Chiefs in the off-season
Even though there isn't a game tonight, the "Chiefs game" has shifted to the front office. With the draft order mostly set for teams that missed the playoffs, Kansas City is looking at a high pick—something they haven't had in ages.
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If you're still looking for Kansas City sports tonight, you're better off checking local listings for the Kansas City Mavericks (hockey) or seeing if there’s a college hoops matchup catching your eye. The NFL playoffs will continue tomorrow with the Texans vs. Patriots and the Rams vs. Bears, but for the Chiefs, the focus is strictly on 2026.
Watching the rest of the NFL playoffs without cable
If you were searching for what channel can I watch the Chiefs game on tonight because you’re trying to test out a new streaming service, here is the breakdown for the rest of the weekend. You don't need a traditional cable box to see the road to the Super Bowl.
- YouTube TV: Still the most reliable way to get all your local channels (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC) in one place.
- Fubo: Great for sports fans, though it can be a bit pricier than the others.
- Hulu + Live TV: Similar to YouTube TV, and it usually bundles in ESPN+ which is handy for tomorrow's Texans game.
- Sling TV: A cheaper option, but be careful—Sling doesn't always carry local channels in every market. You might need an antenna.
Actionable Next Steps
- Adjust your DVR: If you had "Chiefs" as a keyword for recording, you can clear that out for tonight to save space.
- Check the Draft Order: Start looking at mock drafts for the top 10 picks; the Chiefs will be picking much earlier than usual this spring.
- Switch to CBS at 4:30 PM ET: If you want to see the team that knocked the Chiefs out (the Broncos), tune in to watch them face Josh Allen and the Bills.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on the news. After a 6-11 season, there’s usually a lot of noise regarding staff changes in the kingdom.