If you’re waking up on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, and frantically checking your sportsbook app or trying to find the red jerseys on the TV guide, I've got some news that might sting a little. You won’t find them. When you ask who the chiefs playing today, the honest answer is: nobody.
The Kansas City Chiefs are officially on vacation.
It feels weird, doesn't it? For years, this mid-January weekend was basically a national holiday in Missouri. We’ve grown so accustomed to seeing Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid orchestrating some late-game magic in the Divisional Round that a playoff Saturday without them feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But the 2025-2026 season was a different beast entirely. After a grueling campaign that saw the team struggle with uncharacteristic inconsistency, the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West. That record wasn't enough to secure a spot in the postseason dance.
So, while the Buffalo Bills are currently battling the Denver Broncos at Mile High, and the 49ers are prepping for a nightcap against the Seahawks, the Chiefs are likely already looking at 2026 draft boards.
Why "Who the Chiefs Playing Today" is a Question for Next Season
Usually, by the time we hit the Divisional Round, we’re talking about Travis Kelce’s yardage props or Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz packages. Not this year. The Chiefs finished the regular season with a thud, losing their final five games including a Christmas Day heartbreaker to the Broncos and a Week 18 finale against the Raiders.
It was a "disappointing season," to put it lightly. Matt McMullen, the team’s senior reporter, basically confirmed what we all saw: the spark just wasn't there in December. Mahomes still put up numbers—3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns—but the league-leading defense of the past was replaced by a unit that looked tired.
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The 2026 Opponents Are Already Locked In
Even though they aren't on the field today, we actually know exactly who they will face when the 2026 season kicks off. Because they finished third in the division, their 17th game is officially set against the Indianapolis Colts.
Here is a look at the heavy hitters they’ll have to deal with later this year:
- The AFC East Gauntlet: They have to play the entire AFC East. That means dates with the Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, and those same Buffalo Bills who are playing right now.
- The NFC West Crossing: This is the rotating division for 2026. Get ready for the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals.
- The Division Rivalries: Obviously, the usual suspects in the AFC West—Denver, Vegas, and the Chargers.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Chiefs "Collapse"
Social media is currently a graveyard of "the dynasty is over" takes. It's easy to look at a 2026 playoff bracket that doesn't include Kansas City and assume the wheels have fallen off. Honestly? That’s probably a bit dramatic.
They played a "third-place schedule" in 2026, which historically is a massive advantage for a bounce-back year. Think about it. Instead of playing the first-place finishers from the other AFC divisions, they get the third-place teams. In the NFL parity era, that can be the difference between a 9-8 season and a 12-5 season.
Also, keep an eye on the health of the roster. Rashee Rice and Nick Bolton were battling injuries late in the year. A full offseason to heal, combined with the draft picks they’ve hoarded, means the 2026 version of this team will look significantly younger and faster.
Looking at Today's Real NFL Schedule
Since you can't watch Mahomes today, you're stuck with the guys who actually survived the Wild Card round. It's a bitter pill, but the football is actually going to be pretty good.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026 Game Times:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Kickoff was at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. If you're a Chiefs fan, this one hurts because Denver is the team that essentially took Kansas City’s spot at the top of the division.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This one starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an all-NFC West showdown.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Bills-Broncos game is a preview of the 2026 regular season. The Chiefs play both of those teams later this year. Watching Josh Allen try to navigate the thin air in Denver today provides a pretty good blueprint for what Andy Reid will need to do when the Chiefs head back to Empower Field at Mile High in a few months.
Actionable Next Steps for the Offseason
Since there is no game to watch, the focus shifts to the "Front Office Season." If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should be tracking over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Salary Cap: The Chiefs have some tough decisions coming up with veteran contracts. Checking sites like OverTheCap will give you an idea of how much room they have to sign a veteran receiver.
- Scout the 2026 NFL Draft: Because the Chiefs missed the playoffs, they’ll be picking much higher than usual. Look at the top-tier offensive tackle prospects; protecting Mahomes is going to be the #1 priority this spring.
- The Schedule Release: While we know the opponents, we don't know the dates. Usually, the NFL drops the full calendar in May. That’s when you can start booking those road trips to see the Chiefs play the Rams in Melbourne—yes, Australia is a real possibility for 2026.
The Chiefs aren't playing today, but the road back to the Super Bowl starts with the scouting reports being written right now.