You're probably waking up, grabbing some coffee, and looking for the kickoff time for Patrick Mahomes and the crew. Here’s the blunt truth: If you’re looking for what time does chiefs game start today on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs are actually not on the field.
I know, it’s a bummer. Especially when you’ve got the wings ready.
The Chiefs finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a tough 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders back on January 4th. Unfortunately, that 6-11 record meant they missed the postseason cut this year. It's a weird feeling for Chiefs Kingdom, considering how often we're used to seeing them deep in the January hunt.
Even though KC is sitting this one out, today is actually a massive day for the NFL Divisional Round. If you're a football fan, there are two huge games happening that basically decide who moves one step closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
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Today's NFL Playoff Schedule (Sunday, Jan 18)
Just because the Chiefs aren't playing doesn't mean the TV stays off. We've got a double-header today that is pretty much guaranteed to be high drama.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC
- The Vibe: The Patriots are the No. 2 seed and they’ve been looking lethal. Houston is the underdog coming in hot.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
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- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: This is the primetime slot. The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the NFC, and Soldier Field is going to be rocking.
What Happened to the Chiefs?
Honestly, it was a weird season. We saw flashes of the old magic, like that 31-0 blowout of the Raiders in October, but the consistency just wasn't there. Travis Kelce still put up numbers, but the offense struggled to find that "clutch" gear we've seen for years.
They ended the season at the bottom of the AFC West, which is something nobody predicted back in August. Injuries played a role—as they always do—but the AFC was just exceptionally deep this year. Teams like the Denver Broncos actually took a leap forward, securing the No. 1 seed and winning their game yesterday against the Bills.
Where to Watch the Games Today
Since you were searching for what time does chiefs game start today, you likely have the afternoon free now. If you want to catch the Divisional action, you’ve got a few options:
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- Cable/Satellite: ABC for the afternoon game and NBC for the night cap.
- Streaming: Peacock is the exclusive home for the Rams-Bears stream. If you have NFL+, you can watch on your phone or tablet.
- Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV: Both will carry all the major networks.
What’s Next for Kansas City?
The offseason starts now for the front office. With the season officially over, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. There are big questions about how they’ll reshape the wide receiver room and bolster the defense to get back into the playoff conversation next year.
Usually, we'd be talking about a deep playoff run. This year, it's about rebuilding the roster.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Bracket: Keep an eye on the winners of today's games. The winner of Texans-Patriots will face the Denver Broncos next week in the AFC Championship.
- Update Your Calendar: If you're a die-hard KC fan, the 2026 schedule won't be finalized until the spring, but we already know they'll be facing opponents like the 49ers, Bills, and Bengals next season.
- Draft Watch: Start looking at mock drafts. With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs will have a much higher pick than they’ve had in years, which could mean a massive new talent landing in Arrowhead.