If you’re waking up on Friday, January 16, 2026, and frantically checking the TV guide for a kickoff time, I have some news that might sting a little. The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today. In fact, they aren’t playing this weekend, next weekend, or anytime until September.
For the first time in a decade, the kingdom is quiet in January.
Honestly, it feels weird. We’ve become so used to the Mahomes-era dominance where the road to the Super Bowl inevitably runs through Arrowhead. But today? The lockers are empty. The players are likely halfway to a beach or hitting the golf course. While the rest of the NFL gears up for a massive Divisional Round weekend, the Chiefs are officially in "wait until next year" mode.
Who is Kansas City Chiefs playing today?
Basically, nobody. The Kansas City Chiefs finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a disappointing 6-11 record, placing them third in the AFC West. Because they failed to qualify for the postseason, they have no game scheduled for today, January 16, 2026.
While you won't see the red and gold on the field, the NFL's Divisional Round is about to kick off tomorrow. If you’re a football fan looking for a fix, here is what the actual bracket looks like for the next 48 hours:
✨ Don't miss: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. Watching the Denver Broncos—a team the Chiefs used to beat for fun—sitting on a 14-3 record with a first-round bye is enough to make any KC fan want to throw their remote.
What went wrong in the 2025-2026 season?
You can't point to just one thing. It was a "perfect storm" of regression. The Chiefs entered the year hoping to avenge a Super Bowl loss to the Eagles from the year prior, but the wheels came off early. They started 0-2 for the first time since 2014.
Injuries played a massive role, but the offense just looked... human. Patrick Mahomes finished the year with 3,587 passing yards, which sounds decent until you realize it's nearly 1,000 yards below his usual MVP-level output. Travis Kelce led the team with 851 receiving yards, but the explosive "big play" ability that defined this dynasty was noticeably absent.
The stat sheet tells a grim story. They were ranked 21st in points per game. That’s not a typo. The high-flying Chiefs were in the bottom third of the league in scoring. They lost six straight games to close out the year, including a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to the Raiders in Week 18 that officially put the season out of its misery.
🔗 Read more: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Expert Note: This is the first time since 2015 that the Chiefs didn't win the AFC West. It’s also their first losing record since 2012—the year before Andy Reid arrived.
Looking ahead to the 2026 opponents
Even though there’s no game today, the 2026 opponents have already been locked in based on the NFL's scheduling formula. If you’re already planning your road trips for next autumn, here is a look at who they’ll be facing.
Home Games at Arrowhead
The atmosphere at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium should be electric next year, mostly because fans will be hungry for a bounce-back. They’ll host:
- The usual AFC West suspects: Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders.
- The AFC East powerhouses: New England Patriots and New York Jets.
- The NFC West heavyweights: San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.
- The Indianapolis Colts (determined by their third-place finish).
Road Trips on the Horizon
The road schedule is arguably tougher. The Chiefs will have to travel to:
💡 You might also like: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
- Buffalo to face Josh Allen and the Bills.
- Miami for a showdown with the Dolphins.
- Seattle and Los Angeles (Rams) to finish out the NFC West rotation.
- Cincinnati for another chapter of the Mahomes vs. Burrow rivalry.
- Atlanta to face the Falcons.
Practical steps for Chiefs fans right now
Since you can't watch a game today, the best thing you can do is look toward the off-season. The Chiefs are in a position they haven't been in for ages: they have a top-15 draft pick.
- Monitor the Mock Drafts: Keep an eye on prospects like Tetairoa McMillan or other top-tier wideouts. The Chiefs desperately need a vertical threat to open things up for Kelce and Mahomes.
- Cap Space Management: General Manager Brett Veach has some work to do. With several aging veterans on high-cap hits, expect some "painful" cuts or restructures in March.
- Coaching Staff Watch: Whenever a legendary team underperforms, other teams come sniffing around for coordinators. See if Andy Reid decides to shake up the offensive staff to find that lost spark.
The dynasty isn't necessarily over, but the "invincibility" is gone. Today is a day for reflection in Kansas City. While the rest of the league plays for a ring, the Chiefs are playing for their future.
Stop checking the TV schedule for today—the next meaningful snap won't happen until the preseason in August. Instead, use this time to scout the competition in the AFC. Watching how the Bills and Broncos handle the pressure this weekend will give you a good idea of exactly how high the bar has been raised for next season.