If you are frantically refreshing your phone or shouting at your smart speaker to find out what's the score on the kansas city chiefs game, I have some news that might be a little tough to swallow.
There is no score.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today, January 17, 2026. While today marks the start of the NFL Divisional Playoffs, the sea of red and gold is notably absent from the bracket. For a fan base that has basically treated the postseason like a mandatory annual vacation for nearly a decade, this feels weird. Kinda wrong, honestly.
But the reality is that the Chiefs' season ended nearly two weeks ago in Las Vegas.
The Final Score of the Season
The last time the Chiefs took the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026. It was a Week 18 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. If you're looking for the most recent "final score," that was it: Las Vegas Raiders 14, Kansas City Chiefs 12.
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It was a gritty, ugly defensive struggle that saw backup quarterback Shane Buechele leading the charge. Harrison Butker was the primary source of offense, knocking through four field goals, including a 41-yarder with just about a minute left that briefly gave Kansas City the lead.
Then Daniel Carlson happened.
The Raiders kicker crushed a 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left on the clock to steal the win. That loss capped off a difficult season, leaving the Chiefs with a 6-11 record and placing them third in the AFC West.
Why Aren't the Chiefs in the Playoffs?
It’s the question every fan in Missouri and Kansas is asking while they watch the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos battle it out today. After years of dominance, the 2025-2026 season was a massive departure from the "dynasty" era.
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Injuries played a role, sure. But there was also a lack of consistency that we just aren't used to seeing from an Andy Reid-led team. They finished behind the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers in the division. Because they didn't secure a Wild Card spot, their January is wide open for the first time in ages.
Who Is Playing Today?
Since you're likely in the mood for football anyway, here is what the NFL landscape looks like today, January 17, 2026, for the Divisional Round:
- Game 1: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS)
- Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
It’s a bitter pill for Chiefs Kingdom to watch the Broncos host a playoff game while Patrick Mahomes and company are already looking toward the NFL Draft.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
While the answer to what's the score on the kansas city chiefs game is currently "zero," the front office is already deep into "Operation: Get Back."
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The Chiefs are locked into a third-place schedule for the 2026 season. This actually gives them a slightly "easier" path next year, as they will face other third-place finishers like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts.
We also know their home and away opponents for the 2026 campaign. They’ll be hosting heavy hitters like the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots at Arrowhead. On the road, they’ve got tough trips to Miami and Seattle.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since there's no game to watch today, here is how you can stay productive during the off-season:
- Track the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have a much higher pick than usual. Keep an eye on the mock drafts starting in February to see which playmakers might be joining the roster.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Pay attention to the Broncos vs. Bills game today. Since Denver is a divisional rival and Buffalo is a perennial AFC threat, the outcome of this game will dictate the "team to beat" in the AFC next year.
- Check the Injury Reports: Follow the recovery timelines for key starters who ended the season on IR. Their availability for Spring OTAs will be the first sign of how the 2026 season might go.
The silence at Arrowhead this January is deafening, but if history tells us anything, the Chiefs won't be out of the "what's the score" conversation for long.