It's a weird feeling for anyone used to seeing the Red and Gold deep in the January hunt. Usually, by this time of the month, Kansas City is buzzing with talk about AFC Championship streaks or home-field advantage at Arrowhead. But if you're asking who are the chiefs playing this week, the honest answer is a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom: nobody.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing this week. Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4, 2026, following a narrow 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. For the first time in a long time, the Chiefs are watching the NFL Divisional Round from the couch.
The Reality of the Chiefs' 2026 Offseason
Honestly, seeing a playoff bracket without KC is jarring. While teams like the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos prepare to square off this Saturday, January 17, the Chiefs are already pivoting toward the 2026 draft and free agency.
The season finale against the Raiders was a microcosm of the struggles. Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele took the snaps as the team looked toward its depth, but the offense couldn't find the end zone, relying entirely on Harrison Butker’s leg for all 12 points. It’s a far cry from the high-flying Patrick Mahomes era we've come to expect, and it leaves fans wondering exactly how the "retooling" phase will look heading into next autumn.
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What the Playoff Bracket Looks Like Without Them
Since the Chiefs are out, the AFC side of the bracket has shifted significantly. Here is how the "this week" matchups actually look for the teams that are still alive:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans, coming off a dominant win over Pittsburgh, head to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET.
It’s a different landscape. The Broncos secured the first-round bye that usually feels like a permanent fixture in Missouri, and the Patriots have surged back into relevance.
Who Are The Chiefs Playing This Week? Looking at the 2026 Opponents
While there is no game on the schedule for today, we actually already know the list of teams the Chiefs will face when the 2026 regular season kicks off in September. Because the NFL uses a fixed scheduling formula, the "who" is settled even if the "when" won't be announced until the spring.
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The Chiefs finished third in the AFC West this year. That means their 2026 schedule is dictated by a rotation against the AFC East and the NFC West, plus "like-place" finishers from other divisions.
2026 Home Matchups at GEHA Field at Arrowhead
- San Francisco 49ers: A Super Bowl rematch that always draws a massive crowd.
- New England Patriots: A test against a resurgent Jerod Mayo-led squad.
- Indianapolis Colts: The "third-place" crossover game from the AFC South.
- Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray and company come to town.
- New York Jets: A defensive battle against the AFC East.
- The AFC West Rivals: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers.
2026 Road Trips
- Seattle Seahawks: One of the loudest environments in the league at Lumen Field.
- Buffalo Bills: The rivalry continues at Highmark Stadium.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow vs. Patrick Mahomes is still the gold standard for AFC matchups.
- Los Angeles Rams: A trip to SoFi Stadium.
- Atlanta Falcons: The 17th game on the schedule, taking the Chiefs to the NFC South.
- Miami Dolphins: A late-year or early-year burner in the Florida heat.
Why This "Bye Week" Matters for the Kingdom
Basically, this is the most important "off" week the team has had in a decade. The front office, led by Brett Veach, isn't just sitting around. They are evaluating a roster that felt the sting of a 6-11 finish.
The primary focus? Protecting Mahomes and revitalizing a receiving corps that struggled with consistency. While we won't see them on the field this weekend, the decisions made in the next few days regarding the coaching staff and scouting reports will dictate if we're asking "who are the chiefs playing this week" in January 2027 or if we'll be right back in this same spot.
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It’s worth noting that the NFC side is also moving forward without KC’s old NFC foes. The 49ers and Seahawks are playing a massive divisional rivalry game on Saturday night, while the Rams and Bears finish the weekend on Sunday.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans This Weekend
- Watch the AFC Competition: Keep a close eye on the Bills vs. Broncos game. These are the two teams the Chiefs will likely have to leapfrog next year to regain divisional dominance.
- Scout the Draft Order: Since the season is over, the Chiefs' draft position is locked in. Start looking at mock drafts specifically targeting offensive line depth and explosive perimeter playmakers.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: With several teams in the playoffs, assistant coaches from winning programs will become available soon. See who Andy Reid might look at to refresh the offensive philosophy.
The "Chiefs playing this week" search might yield zero results for a live game, but for a true fan, the season of rebuilding is just starting.