Wait, did that actually just happen? If you're looking for what is the kansas city chiefs score right now, the answer is a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom. The Chiefs officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season with a 14-12 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026.
Since it's now mid-January, there isn't a live game today. Why? Because for the first time in over a decade, Kansas City is watching the playoffs from the couch.
It feels wrong to even type that. For years, January meant Arrowhead was shaking and Patrick Mahomes was doing something impossible on a frozen field. Not this time. The Chiefs finished the year with a 6-11 record, ending on a miserable six-game losing streak that culminated in that weird, low-scoring defensive struggle at Allegiant Stadium.
Breaking Down the Kansas City Chiefs Score and That Wild Ending
The season finale against the Raiders was basically a microcosm of the whole year. Frustrating. Stagnant. Just a little bit "off."
The final kansas city chiefs score of 12-14 came down to a 60-yard dagger. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson nailed a career-long field goal with only eight seconds left on the clock. It was one of those moments where you just knew the magic had run out for KC. Before that, Harrison Butker had actually put the Chiefs ahead 12-11 with about a minute left. In any other year, the defense holds. This year, they didn't.
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What's even wilder is who was actually on the field. Patrick Mahomes wasn't out there for the final snaps. Neither was the usual cast of superstars in their full capacity. We saw Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun taking reps under center late in the season.
- Final Score: Raiders 14, Chiefs 12
- Key Stat: Daniel Carlson 4-for-4 on field goals (including the 60-yarder)
- KC Highlight: Harrison Butker also went 4-for-4, accounting for every single one of the Chiefs' points.
- The Streak: This loss marked the 6th straight defeat for Kansas City.
Honestly, the offensive production was painful to watch. The Chiefs managed zero touchdowns. None. When you're used to seeing this team put up 30 points in their sleep, watching a game where the long snapper is the most active player on the field is a tough pill to swallow.
Why the Scoreboard Looked So Different This Year
People are asking what is the kansas city chiefs score because they expect to see them in the Divisional Round this weekend. Instead, the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are the ones fighting for the AFC.
How did a team that looked like a dynasty-in-the-making hit a wall this hard?
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Injuries played a massive role, obviously. When you lose key protectors on the line and your primary deep threats are sidelined, the Mahomes magic starts to look more like a desperate scramble. There’s also the "attrition" factor. Playing deep into February three years in a row takes a physical toll that finally seemed to catch up.
By the time December rolled around, the scores were telling a sad story. They lost 26-9 to the Titans. They lost 20-13 to the Broncos on Christmas Day. The high-flying circus we loved turned into a grind that they just couldn't win.
A Look Back at the Final Month
To understand the current state of the team, you have to look at the scores from the "dark December" they just endured:
- Jan 4: @ Las Vegas (L 12-14)
- Dec 25: vs Denver (L 13-20)
- Dec 21: @ Tennessee (L 9-26)
- Dec 14: vs LA Chargers (L 13-16)
- Dec 7: vs Houston (L 10-20)
Notice a pattern? They weren't getting blown out in most of these. They were just losing the "clutch" moments. The 2025 Chiefs were the kings of the one-score loss.
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What Happens Now for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Since there is no game score to check today, the focus has shifted entirely to the front office. Brett Veach and Andy Reid have a massive project on their hands.
The 6-11 finish means the Chiefs have a much higher draft pick than they’ve had in years. They’ll likely be looking to inject youth into the receiving corps and find some fresh legs for the pass rush.
The AFC West has changed, too. The Broncos finished 14-3. The Chargers are at 11-6. The "easy" road through the division is officially closed for construction.
If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager looking at what is the kansas city chiefs score for future projections, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of the spring camps. Most of the 2025 struggles were situational rather than a total collapse of talent. Mahomes is still Mahomes, and Kelce—while another year older—is still a mismatch.
Basically, don't count them out for 2026, but definitely acknowledge that the "invincibility" era has a few cracks in it.
Practical Next Steps for Chiefs Fans
- Check the Draft Order: Keep tabs on the NFL Draft standings. The Chiefs are in a rare position to grab a top-tier "blue chip" prospect this April.
- Monitor Coaching Changes: Watch for news regarding the defensive staff. After a six-game skid to end the year, some seats are definitely getting warm.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: The 2026 schedule is already taking shape. They’ll be facing a "third-place" schedule next year, which ironically might give them the easiest path back to the top.
The score is zero-zero for everyone now. The off-season is where the next Super Bowl is actually won.