If you’re typing what's the score of the raiders into your search bar right now, you might be met with a confusing silence. Here’s the deal: the Las Vegas Raiders aren't playing today. In fact, their season is officially over.
While the rest of the NFL is currently battling it out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs—with the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Chicago Bears today, January 18, 2026—the Silver and Black are already in offseason mode.
The Raiders finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a record of 3-14. It was a rough ride, to say the least.
The Final Score of the Season: Raiders vs. Chiefs
The last time the Raiders took the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026. If you missed it, it was actually one of the few highlights of an otherwise bleak year. They faced off against their arch-rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, at Allegiant Stadium.
The final score? Raiders 14, Chiefs 12.
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It was a weird, gritty game. No touchdowns. Just a lot of defense and a leg of steel. Daniel Carlson, the Raiders' veteran kicker, basically won the game by himself. He went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a massive, career-long 60-yarder with only eight seconds left on the clock.
That kick didn't just win the game; it snapped a brutal 10-game losing streak and ended an 11-game drought against AFC West opponents. For a team that struggled all year, beating the Chiefs at home for the first time in Allegiant Stadium history felt like a Super Bowl.
A Quick Look Back at the 2025 Season
Honestly, the season was a bit of a rollercoaster that mostly went downhill. Under head coach Pete Carroll, the team struggled to find an identity on offense. They went through a string of losses that left fans frustrated, especially with a 0-31 blowout against the Eagles in mid-December.
- Week 1: Started with a promising 20-13 win over the Patriots.
- The Slump: A massive 10-game losing streak that lasted from early November through December.
- The Bright Spot: Ending the season on a high note by beating Kansas City.
Why the Score Doesn't Matter Right Now (But the Draft Does)
While you won't find a live score for the Raiders today, the number that does matter is 1.
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Because of their 3-14 finish, the Las Vegas Raiders have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is huge. Even before they kicked off that final game against the Chiefs, the New York Giants' win over the Cowboys earlier that day had already locked the Raiders into the top spot.
Fans are already debating what to do with that pick. Do they grab a franchise quarterback to replace the carousel of Aidan O’Connell and Kenny Pickett? Or do they bolster a defense that showed flashes of brilliance, like Tyree Wilson’s late-season safety?
The Playoff Picture Without Vegas
If you're looking for football to watch today, the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing. Here is what the schedule looks like for Sunday, January 18, 2026:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
The winners of these games will move on to the Conference Championships next weekend, January 25.
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What’s Next for the Silver and Black?
The "score" for the Raiders right now is all about the front office. With the season wrapped up, the focus shifts to scouting and the Scouting Combine. Pete Carroll’s future with the team has been a major talking point in local Vegas media, with some wondering if the Week 18 win was a "last hurrah" or a building block.
The team has some soul-searching to do. They have the talent in spots—Maxx Crosby remains a beast, and Daniel Carlson is as reliable as they come—but the consistency just wasn't there in 2025.
If you're a die-hard fan, the best way to stay updated isn't checking the scoreboard, but keeping an eye on the draft big boards. The road to the 2026 season starts with that first overall pick.
Keep an eye on the NFL Draft order updates as underclassmen begin to declare over the next few weeks. If you're looking for live football, tune into the AFC/NFC Divisional games happening this afternoon to see who might be the Raiders' biggest threats next season.