It is a strange feeling in Kansas City right now. Usually, this time of year, the city is a sea of red, the smokers are fired up at 6:00 AM, and everyone is obsessing over Patrick Mahomes’ ankle or Travis Kelce’s latest highlight. But if you’re looking for the answer to who did Kansas City play today, the reality is a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom: Nobody.
The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today, Saturday, January 17, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently kicking off with a double-header, the Chiefs are watching from home for the first time in what feels like an eternity.
The Quiet Saturday at Arrowhead
If you look at the NFL schedule for today, you’ll see the Denver Broncos hosting the Buffalo Bills at 4:30 PM ET, followed by a massive NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. It’s high-stakes football, but the missing piece is the arrowhead logo.
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Honestly, it’s been a weird season. The Chiefs finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a 12-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026. That loss didn't just hurt the pride; it capped off a difficult year where the team finished third in the AFC West. Because they didn't make the postseason cut, there is no "today" for the Chiefs in the 2026 playoffs.
Why Aren't the Chiefs Playing?
You've probably grown used to seeing KC in the AFC Championship every year. It was basically a law of physics. But 2025 was a year of transition and, frankly, some bad luck.
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- The Mahomes Injury Scare: Reports from late in the season, including updates from Mahomes' doctors as recently as January 15, suggest he was playing through significantly more than he let on. There’s a lot of talk about him being 100% for the 2026 Week 1 opener, but the wear and tear definitely showed in November and December.
- Coaching Shakeups: The building is a bit of a revolving door right now. We just saw two offensive coaches fired this week, and rumors are swirling that offensive line coach Andy Heck might be eyeing retirement. Even Andy Reid has had to answer questions about the future of his staff after a third-place division finish.
- The AFC West Gantlet: The Broncos and Raiders actually stepped up. Denver is the #1 seed in the AFC right now—think about how wild that is—and they are playing the Bills today while the Chiefs are making tee times.
What Other Kansas City Teams Are Active?
While the Chiefs are dormant, "Kansas City" as a sports entity isn't totally quiet. If you're looking for the local college scene, the Kansas City Roos (UMKC) women’s basketball team is back in action at the Swinney Center. They’re coming off a tough loss to Oral Roberts where Emani Bennett hit her 1,000th career point, which is a massive milestone for the program. They are slated to face St. Thomas today.
Also, the city is buzzing about things happening off the field. Sporting Kansas City just saw a major ownership shift with a majority stake being sold, and the drama surrounding the new Chiefs stadium in Wyandotte County is heating up. There’s a massive STAR bond deal on the table that’s basically three times the size of any other project in Johnson County.
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Looking Ahead to 2026
Since we know the "who did Kansas City play today" answer is "no one," the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 opponents. The NFL’s scheduling formula is already set. Next season, the Chiefs have a brutal draw.
They will play the entire AFC East (Bills, Jets, Patriots, Dolphins) and the NFC West (49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals). Plus, because they finished third in the division, they get the third-place finishers from the AFC North (Cincinnati Bengals) and AFC South (Indianapolis Colts). It’s not going to be an easy road back to the top.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans Today
Since there is no game to watch, here is what you should actually do to stay plugged into the team:
- Watch the Broncos vs. Bills: Since Denver is a division rival and currently the top dog in the AFC, this game directly impacts the hierarchy the Chiefs need to dismantle next year.
- Track the Coaching Hires: Keep an eye on the vacancies in the offensive staff. Who the Chiefs bring in to replace the fired assistants will tell us everything about how they plan to fix the scoring issues from last season.
- Monitor the Stadium News: If you live in the metro, the STAR bond hearings for the new Kansas-side stadium are the biggest story in town. This will decide where the team plays for the next 30 years.
The dynasty isn't dead, but today is a reminder that it's currently on "pause." Enjoy the Divisional Round as a neutral observer—it’s a lot less stressful, even if it feels a little empty.