So, you’re looking for the channel or the kickoff time. You want to know who is kansas city chiefs playing tonight because, well, it’s mid-January. This is usually the time of year when Patrick Mahomes is doing something magical on a frozen field while Travis Kelce celebrates in the end zone.
But tonight is different.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom. If you flip through your TV guide on this Thursday, January 15, 2026, you aren't going to find the Chiefs. They aren't playing tonight. They aren't playing this weekend, either.
The Shocking Reality of the 2025-2026 Season
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the road to the Super Bowl doesn't go through Arrowhead Stadium. Actually, the road for Kansas City ended much earlier than anyone predicted. After a decade of dominance, the wheels kinda fell off during the 2025 regular season.
The Chiefs finished the year with a 6-11 record.
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Read that again. Six wins. Eleven losses.
It wasn't just one thing. It was a "death by a thousand cuts" type of season. They lost their final five games in a row. They fell to the Titans. They got beat by the Broncos on Christmas Day. They even lost the season finale to the Raiders on January 4, 2026. Because of that downward spiral, the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West and were officially eliminated from playoff contention before the calendar even turned to 2026.
Who Is Playing Tonight If Not the Chiefs?
Since it is Thursday night, you might be used to Thursday Night Football. However, the NFL schedule shifts once the playoffs hit. Tonight, January 15, is a quiet night for the league. We are currently in the gap between the Wild Card round and the Divisional Round.
If you're looking for football, you have to wait until Saturday. Here is what the actual playoff bracket looks like for the upcoming Divisional weekend:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Saturday, Jan 17: The San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Los Angeles Rams play the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
The Broncos—yes, the same Broncos that used to be the division's punching bag—actually locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 14-3 record. It's a weird world we're living in right now.
What Went Wrong in Kansas City?
People are going to be dissecting this season for years. How does a team with Mahomes and Andy Reid win only six games?
Injuries played a massive role, but the offense just never found its rhythm. The "Mahomes Magic" we've all grown accustomed to seeing felt more like a struggle this year. Without a consistent run game and with a defense that spent way too much time on the field, the Chiefs found themselves on the wrong side of one-score games repeatedly.
They started the season with promise, sitting at 5-3 after a win against the Commanders in late October. Then, the bye week happened in Week 10, and they just never recovered. They went 1-8 in their final nine games. That’s not a typo.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you can't watch them tonight, the best thing to do is look at what's next. The Chiefs are going to have a very high draft pick—something they haven't had in a long time. They've already locked in their opponents for the 2026 season, and it’s a gauntlet.
They will play the AFC East and the NFC West next year. That means matchups against the 49ers, Seahawks, Bills, and Dolphins are already on the books. Because they finished third in the division, they also have dates with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts.
The front office has a massive task ahead. They have to figure out if this was just a "fluke" bad year or if the championship window has actually slammed shut.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since there's no game tonight, here is how you can stay plugged into the team during this unusually long off-season:
- Audit the Mock Drafts: Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft order. The Chiefs will likely be picking in the top 10, a prime spot to grab a generational playmaker or a much-needed offensive tackle.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even though KC is out, the outcome of the Bills vs. Broncos game on Saturday will signal who the new "team to beat" is in the AFC.
- Check the Injury Reports: Follow the post-season surgeries. Several key Chiefs players were gritting through injuries in December; their recovery timelines will dictate how the 2026 roster is shaped.
- Follow the Coaching Carousel: With a 6-11 finish, expect some changes to the assistant coaching staff. Keep an eye on local KC sports news for updates on defensive or offensive coordinator shifts.
The dynasty isn't necessarily over, but for tonight, the lights at Arrowhead are dark.