If you’re waking up this Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, and grabbing your Mahomes jersey for a watch party, I have some pretty rough news. You might want to sit down. For the first time in over a decade, the answer to who is the Chiefs play today is actually... nobody.
Yeah, it feels weird. We’ve been so spoiled by deep January runs and AFC Championship hostings at Arrowhead that a Divisional Round weekend without Kansas City feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But after a frustrating 2025 campaign that saw the team finish 3rd in the AFC West, the Chiefs are officially watching today's games from the couch just like the rest of us.
The NFL Divisional Round: Who is on TV today?
Even though the Chiefs aren't taking the field, today is still a massive day for NFL fans. We’ve got two huge Divisional Round matchups. Since the Chiefs finished their season with a loss to the Raiders on January 4, the playoff bracket has moved on without them.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a reality check. While Kansas City fans are used to seeing their team as the #1 or #2 seed, this year that spotlight belongs to other teams. Here is the actual schedule for today, Saturday, January 17, 2026:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos – 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
It’s gotta sting a bit for Chiefs Kingdom to see the Broncos—a divisional rival—sitting in the #1 seed spot. Denver is hosting the Bills at Empower Field at Mile High this afternoon. If you’re looking for a silver lining, at least you can spend the day rooting against the orange and blue.
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Why the Chiefs aren't playing today
So, how did we get here? Basically, the 2025 season was a "perfect storm" of issues. We saw a lot of injuries—Patrick Mahomes himself has been open about his rehab process lately—and the offense just never quite found that elite rhythm we've come to expect.
The Chiefs finished 3rd in the AFC West, which is a sentence I haven't had to write since the 2014 season. Because they missed the playoffs entirely, their season ended two weeks ago. No Wild Card, no Divisional Round, and obviously no Super Bowl LX trip to Santa Clara this February.
It's a long road back. Mahomes recently mentioned in an update that rehab is a "long process," but he's already eyeing Week 1 of the 2026 season. The competitive fire is still there, even if the playoff results aren't.
Looking ahead: The 2026 Chiefs schedule and opponents
Since we can't talk about a game today, let's talk about the future. The NFL has already finalized the home and away opponents for the 2026 season. Even though we don't have the exact dates yet (those usually drop in May), we know exactly who is coming to Kansas City.
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The 2026 schedule looks absolutely brutal, to be honest. But that's what happens when you play in a powerhouse conference.
2026 Home Games at Arrowhead
The Chiefs will host a mix of old rivals and some heavy hitters from the NFC.
- Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, LA Chargers (The usual AFC West suspects)
- New England Patriots & New York Jets (AFC East matchups)
- Arizona Cardinals & San Francisco 49ers (The NFC West visit)
- Indianapolis Colts (Based on their 3rd place finish in the AFC South)
2026 Road Trips
Pack your bags, because there are some cool stadiums on the list for next year.
- Buffalo Bills (Another chapter in the Mahomes vs. Allen saga)
- Miami Dolphins (A warm-weather getaway)
- Seattle Seahawks & LA Rams (West Coast swings)
- Cincinnati Bengals (The Burrow rivalry continues)
- Atlanta Falcons (The "17th game" rotating matchup)
What should Chiefs fans do today?
If you're still looking for a football fix, I'd suggest keeping a close eye on that Bills vs. Broncos game. Why? Because these are the teams Kansas City has to leapfrog next year to get back to the top. Seeing how the Broncos handle the pressure of being the #1 seed is actually pretty interesting scouting for 2026.
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Also, keep an eye on the coaching carousel. There are rumors flying around about some Chiefs offensive coordinator targets being courted by other teams. The Raiders, in particular, have been sniffing around Mike McDaniel and other big names. What happens in the division during the offseason is arguably more important for the Chiefs right now than anything happening on the field today.
Actionable next steps for the offseason:
- Track the Rehab: Follow the official Chiefs social channels for updates on Mahomes’ recovery; his health is the #1 factor for a 2026 bounce-back.
- Watch the Draft: Since the Chiefs have a higher pick than usual (somewhere in the middle of the first round), start looking at mock drafts specifically for wide receivers or offensive line depth.
- Scout the Division: Watch the Broncos today. They are currently the team to beat in the AFC West, and understanding their defensive scheme will be key for the Chiefs' turnaround.
It sucks not seeing the red and gold out there today. But hey, every dynasty has a "down" year. Use today to enjoy some stress-free football, maybe eat some BBQ, and start counting down the days until the 2026 kickoff.