If you're frantically refreshing your phone and asking what's the score of the kansas city chiefs game, I have some news that might sting. There is no score. As of right now, Friday, January 16, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs aren't on the field. They aren't in the tunnel. They aren't even in the playoffs.
It feels weird to type that. Usually, this time of year, Patrick Mahomes is busy preparing to dismantle some AFC rival in the Divisional Round. But the 2025-2026 season was a total gut punch for the Kingdom. The Chiefs finished their year on January 4, 2026, with a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The final score of that game was 14-12.
Why the Chiefs aren't playing today
Honestly, looking at the standings is a bit of a shock. The Chiefs finished the season at 6-11. That is not a typo. For the first time in a decade, Kansas City didn't just miss the Super Bowl conversation—they missed the postseason entirely.
The "game" most people are looking for today doesn't exist because the NFL is currently moving into the Divisional Round, and the Chiefs are already at home. While fans are used to seeing KC as a top seed, this year they watched the Denver Broncos (14-3) and the New England Patriots (14-3) take the reigns of the AFC. It’s a strange new world.
The last game: Chiefs vs. Raiders (Jan 4, 2026)
If you want the most recent "live" score, it’s that 14-12 heartbreaker against the Raiders. It was a messy, low-scoring affair at Allegiant Stadium.
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Harrison Butker was basically the only offense the Chiefs had, kicking four field goals. Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun took the snaps as the team navigated a late-season quarterback carousel. Patrick Mahomes had been sidelined, and the offense just couldn't find the end zone. The game ended on a 60-yard walk-off field goal by Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson.
Think about that for a second. The Chiefs' season ended not with a bang, but with a kick through the uprights in Las Vegas while they sat at the bottom of the AFC West.
Who is playing in the playoffs instead?
Since you're clearly looking for football, the NFL Divisional Round kicks off tomorrow, January 17. If you were hoping to see the Chiefs, you'll have to settle for their division rivals or the teams that pushed them out.
Here is what the actual schedule looks like for this weekend:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
The Broncos, who absolutely dominated the AFC West this year, are the ones carrying the torch for the division now. It’s a bitter pill for Chiefs fans who have been spoiled by nearly ten years of dominance.
What went wrong in Kansas City?
Everyone wants to know how a dynasty collapses so fast. It wasn't one thing. It was a cascade. Injuries to the offensive line early in the season made Mahomes look human for the first time. The run game, despite flashes from Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, never found a consistent rhythm.
By the time December rolled around, the Chiefs were on a six-game losing streak. You read that right. Six games. They lost to the Texans, Chargers, Titans, and Broncos in consecutive weeks. By the time they played the Raiders in the finale, the playoff dream was already dead.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season
So, the answer to what's the score of the kansas city chiefs game is simply: 0-0, because the season is over. But that doesn't mean the work has stopped. The Chiefs are currently looking at a top-10 draft pick for the first time in forever.
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General Manager Brett Veach is basically under a microscope right now. The 2026 opponents are already set. They’ll be facing the AFC East and the NFC West next year. That means matchups against the Bills, Dolphins, 49ers, and Rams are on the horizon.
If you're a bettor or a die-hard fan, the "score" you should be watching now isn't on a scoreboard; it's the salary cap and the draft board. The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill if they want to get back to the January football we're all used to.
Actionable steps for Chiefs fans
- Watch the Broncos vs. Bills game tomorrow: Since Denver won the AFC West, seeing how they handle Buffalo will give you a good idea of the gap the Chiefs need to close.
- Track the Draft Order: The Chiefs are in a prime position to snag a blue-chip tackle or a true WR1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Check the Injury Updates: Keep an eye on Patrick Mahomes' recovery timeline heading into the spring OTA sessions.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: Start looking at the home/away splits for next season to see where the toughest road trips will be.
The dynasty isn't necessarily over, but it's definitely on hiatus. For now, the scoreboard at Arrowhead stays dark.