If you’re refreshing your phone frantically wondering what’s the score of the Kansas City game right now, I have some news that’s gonna bum you out.
There is no score.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today, January 18, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with the Houston Texans facing the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears, the Kingdom is uncharacteristically quiet. For the first time in nearly a decade, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are watching the playoffs from their couches just like the rest of us.
It feels weird, right? Honestly, it’s a bit of a glitch in the matrix for football fans who have grown used to January at Arrowhead Stadium.
The harsh reality of the 2025-2026 Chiefs season
The Chiefs finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a disappointing 6-11 record. They officially wrapped up their season two weeks ago on January 4, 2026, with a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. That game was a microcosm of their entire year: close, gritty, but ultimately falling short.
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Daniel Carlson nailed a 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left to sink the Chiefs in that finale. It was a rough way to go out.
People are asking about the score today because we’ve been conditioned to expect Kansas City to be the "final boss" of the AFC. But this year, the magic just wasn't there. Injuries piled up, the run defense struggled at times, and that usual "Mahomes Magic" couldn't overcome a roster that looked, frankly, a little tired after years of deep postseason runs.
Who is playing in the NFL playoffs today?
Since you can't watch the Chiefs, you're probably looking for a game to fill the void. Today is actually a massive day for the AFC and NFC hierarchies.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This kicked off at 3:00 p.m. ET. Drake Maye has been the story of the year in Foxborough, and he’s currently trying to dismantle a Texans defense that is much improved.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:30 p.m. ET. Soldier Field is rocking, and seeing the Bears in a Divisional home game feels like 1985 all over again.
It’s a bit of a passing-of-the-torch moment. The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos already played their Divisional matchup yesterday, with the Bills looking like the heavy favorites to finally take the AFC crown now that their "Chiefs problem" has been removed from the bracket.
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Why the Chiefs missed the playoffs
You've probably heard a million theories. "Kelce is too old," or "The league caught up to Mahomes."
The truth is usually more boring. The NFL is designed to make it impossible to stay on top forever. Salary cap constraints finally caught up with the front office, and they had to let some key defensive pieces walk in free agency. Combine that with a few bad bounces and a division—the AFC West—that finally started playing elite football, and you get a 6-11 season.
Even Travis Kelce, who still put up respectable numbers this year, looked like he was feeling the weight of 17 games. He finished the season with 76 catches for 851 yards, but the explosive 20-yard seams we’re used to seeing were few and far between.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Kansas City Chiefs schedule
Since there is no score to report today, the best thing a Chiefs fan can do is look toward the draft and the 2026 opponents. The NFL has already locked in who KC will face next year, even if we don't have the exact dates yet.
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Basically, they’ll play the AFC East and the NFC West. That means games against the 49ers, Seahawks, Jets, and Dolphins are on the horizon. Because the Chiefs finished fourth in their division this year, they’ll actually get a "last-place schedule" next season. In theory, that should make the road back to the playoffs a lot smoother.
They’ll also face the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals based on the intra-conference standings.
What to do if you’re a displaced Chiefs fan today
- Scout the competition: Watch Drake Maye and the Patriots. If the Chiefs want to get back to the Super Bowl in 2027, the road likely goes through New England or Buffalo.
- Focus on the Draft: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have a much higher draft pick than they’ve had in years. Keep an eye on the top offensive line prospects and wide receivers.
- Appreciate the break: Use this Sunday to do something else. Go for a walk. Read a book. The stress of a 13-13 tie in the fourth quarter isn't coming for you today.
The quest for the score of the Kansas City game right now ends with a quiet scoreboard at Arrowhead. It sucks for the fans, but for the team, it's the start of a much-needed rebuild.
If you're still craving live football, tune into ESPN or ABC right now to catch the Texans and Patriots. It's not Mahomes, but it’s the highest level of football you’re going to get until the preseason rolls around in August.