If you’ve been frantically refreshing your sports apps or shouting at your smart speaker to find out what time is kc game, I have some news that’s going to feel like a cold splash of water.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing this weekend.
Honestly, it feels weird. For years, January has basically been "The Mahomes Invitational" at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. But as of right now, January 15, 2026, the Chiefs’ season is officially over. They didn't make the cut. After a grueling 2025-2026 regular season that wrapped up with a tough 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, Kansas City finished with a losing record.
They are sitting this postseason out.
The Reality of the 2026 Postseason Schedule
For the first time in nearly a decade, the AFC Divisional Round is moving forward without the red and gold. If you were looking for a kickoff time for Sunday, January 18, you likely saw the schedule for the remaining teams.
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The NFL finalized the Divisional Round times earlier this week, and the slate is actually pretty packed, even if it’s missing the usual suspects from Missouri.
- Saturday, Jan. 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Saturday, Jan. 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
The Broncos, who actually won the AFC West this year with a stellar 14-3 record, have taken the spot many fans expected Kansas City to hold. Seeing Denver as the #1 seed while the Chiefs are at home is a massive shift in the AFC power dynamic.
What Happened to the Chiefs?
You might be wondering how a team with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid just... missed it. It wasn't one single thing. It was a "death by a thousand cuts" type of season.
Injuries played a massive role, but the offense struggled with consistency all year. They had a string of one-score losses that just didn't go their way this time. By the time Week 18 rolled around, the Chiefs were already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
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It’s a bizarre feeling. Usually, we’re talking about "What time is KC game?" in the context of an AFC Championship run. Instead, the players are currently doing their exit interviews and heading off for early vacations.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
While there's no game this week, the "offseason" for a team like this is never really quiet. Since they finished third in the AFC West, their 2026 opponents are already locked in based on the NFL's scheduling formula.
The 2026 schedule will include the usual home-and-away series against the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers. They are also slated to face the entire AFC East and the NFC West. Because of their third-place finish, they’ll also play the third-place teams from the AFC North (Cincinnati Bengals) and the AFC South (Indianapolis Colts).
Basically, the road back to the top isn't going to be easy.
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How to Watch the Remaining Playoff Games
Even without KC in the mix, the Divisional Round games are going to be massive for the landscape of the league.
If you're looking for that Sunday evening slot—the one the Chiefs often occupied—you'll be watching the Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s a huge matchup for Caleb Williams in his sophomore playoff run, proving that the "new guard" of NFL quarterbacks is officially here.
The New England Patriots are also back in the hunt, hosting the Texans on Sunday afternoon. It’s a weird mirror version of the last decade, with old dynasties and new faces swapping places.
Actionable Next Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since there isn't a game to plan a watch party for, here is how you can pivot your Sunday:
- Scout the Competition: Watch the Broncos vs. Bills game on Saturday. Denver is the new king of the AFC West, and understanding how they won the division is key to knowing what the Chiefs need to fix.
- Check the Draft Order: With the season over, KC fans should shift their focus to the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs will have a much higher pick than they’ve had in years, which is a silver lining for rebuilding the roster.
- Audit the Roster: Keep an eye on free agency rumors. Several key veterans are up for contract talks, and the front office will likely be aggressive this spring to ensure they aren't sitting at home again next January.
The quest for another ring starts now, just not on the field.