What's the Score for the Raiders: How the 2025-2026 Season Wrapped Up

What's the Score for the Raiders: How the 2025-2026 Season Wrapped Up

If you’re checking your phone today wondering what's the score for the raiders, the short answer is that there isn't one—at least not for the NFL team in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Raiders officially put their 2025-2026 season to bed on January 4, 2026. They ended on a surprisingly high note, though, grinding out a 14-12 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a classic divisional slugfest at Allegiant Stadium, but it was also the final curtain for a season most fans would probably like to forget.

While the NFL playoffs are currently heating up—with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams facing off today, January 18—the Silver and Black are already deep into an offseason defined by total upheaval.

Why You’re Asking What's the Score for the Raiders Right Now

Most people searching for the score today are likely looking for one of two things: the status of the NFL team during the Divisional Round or the result of the Prince Albert Raiders game.

Wait, Prince Albert?

Yeah, the WHL (Western Hockey League) Raiders actually played a massive game yesterday, January 17. They played the role of giant-killer, snapping the Medicine Hat Tigers’ incredible 19-game winning streak with a wild 8-5 victory. Max Heise was the hero there, bagging a hat trick. So, if you’re a hockey fan, that's your score.

But back to the NFL. If you follow the Las Vegas squad, you know "the score" isn't just about the points on the board. It’s about the state of the franchise.

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The Raiders finished the year with a dismal 3-14 record.
They were 4th in the AFC West.
They fired Pete Carroll on January 5, just 24 hours after that final win against KC.

It's been a revolving door in the coaching office. That’s three seasons in a row where the head coach didn't survive to see the following spring.

The 2025-2026 Season: A Brutal Reality Check

Looking back at the schedule, it’s easy to see where the wheels fell off.
The season actually started with a glimmer of hope. They went into Foxborough in Week 1 and took down the Patriots 20-13. Fans were buzzing.

Then, the floor dropped out.

Between October and December, the Raiders suffered through multiple shutouts. They lost 31-0 to the Chiefs in Week 7 and 31-0 to the Eagles in Week 15. When a team can't even get into field goal range for 60 minutes, the "what's the score for the raiders" query becomes a painful one for the "Nation" to look up.

They were 32nd in points scored. Last in the league.
Basically, the offense was stuck in the mud for the better part of four months.

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What Really Happened with the Roster?

You can't talk about the Raiders' score without talking about the exodus of talent. Last March, the team lost a huge chunk of its soul. Nate Hobbs went to Green Bay. Robert Spillane signed with the Patriots. Even Gardner Minshew, who had been a bridge at QB, jumped ship to the rival Chiefs.

The team brought in Geno Smith from Seattle and drafted Ashton Jeanty, the powerhouse running back from Boise State, with the 6th overall pick.

Jeanty was a bright spot. He ran hard. He looked like the future. But even a star back can't do much when the offensive line is ranked near the bottom of the league. According to PFF, the Raiders' offensive line was a sieve for most of the year, leading to 40 sacks allowed.

Searching for a New Leader (Again)

The biggest news regarding the Raiders right now isn't a game score, but the coaching search. Because they are out of the playoffs, the front office is busy interviewing candidates.

Joe Brady, the Bills' offensive coordinator, has been a hot name in the rumors.
The buzz reached a fever pitch after the Bills' recent playoff performance.
Fans are hoping for stability, but after firing Pete Carroll after just one season, "stability" feels like a foreign concept in Vegas.

Breaking Down the Final Standings

If you want the cold, hard numbers for how the Raiders finished compared to the rest of the AFC West, here is how the dust settled:

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  • Denver Broncos: 14-3 (Division Winners)
  • Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6
  • Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11
  • Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14

It was a weird year for the division. The Chiefs, usually the kings of the hill, absolutely imploded, finishing with a losing record. The Raiders actually beat them in the season finale, but by then, both teams were just playing for pride and draft position.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Raiders’ Future

The common narrative is that the Raiders are a "broken" franchise.
Honestly? That's a bit of an oversimplification.
While the 3-14 record is ugly, they have some foundational pieces. Maxx Crosby is still a terror on the edge. Brock Bowers, the young tight end, showed he’s a legitimate Tier 1 receiving threat when the ball actually gets to him.

The "score" for the future depends entirely on this next coaching hire. If General Manager John Spytek can find a coach who stays longer than 12 months, the talent on the roster might actually have a chance to breathe.

Actionable Steps for Raiders Fans This Offseason

Since there’s no game today, your "next steps" as a fan or follower are all about the draft and the coaching carousel.

  1. Watch the Coaching Updates: Keep a close eye on the official Raiders' communications. The team usually moves fast in January to ensure the new coach can influence the scouting process for the NFL Combine.
  2. Scout the 2026 Draft Class: With another high pick coming up (likely in the top 5), the Raiders will be looking for a franchise quarterback or a cornerstone tackle. Names like Nico Iamaleava or Arch Manning (depending on their eligibility and declarations) are the ones to track if they are looking for a signal-caller.
  3. Follow the WHL Team: If you’re just looking for a "Raiders" team that's actually winning right now, the Prince Albert Raiders are in the heat of their season. They play in the East Division of the WHL and are currently fighting for playoff positioning.

The search for what's the score for the raiders might lead to a 14-12 victory in the history books, but for the fans in Las Vegas, the real game is just beginning in the front office.

Check the NFL salary cap trackers next week. The Raiders are projected to have a significant amount of space, which means they could be aggressive in free agency to avoid another three-win disaster.


Final Note on Today's NFL Action:
For those looking for live football right now, the New England Patriots and Houston Texans are kicking off shortly (3:00 PM EST), followed by the Bears and Rams at 6:30 PM EST. The Raiders won't be back on the grass until the preseason in August 2026.