So, you’re looking for the score. You want to know who won the Kansas City Chiefs football game today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The short answer? Nobody.
The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play today. In fact, their season is already over. While the rest of the league is gearing up for the Divisional Round of the playoffs this coming weekend, the Chiefs are sitting at home in Kansas City, likely already deep into "what went wrong" meetings.
Why the Chiefs Aren't Playing Today
It feels weird, right? For years, January meant Mahomes-to-Kelce highlights and deep playoff runs. But the 2025-2026 season was a brutal wake-up call for the Kingdom.
The Chiefs finished their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a stinging 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. That loss didn't just hurt because it was a rival; it put the final nail in the coffin of a 6-11 season.
✨ Don't miss: Red Sox vs Yankees: What Most People Get Wrong About Baseball's Biggest Feud
They didn't qualify for the postseason.
If you're checking the TV schedule for a game today, you'll find it empty. Today is Thursday, and while Thursday Night Football is a staple of the regular season, the NFL doesn't typically schedule playoff games on Thursdays. The next live action happens Saturday, January 17, when the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos.
The Last Time They Took the Field
Since you’re asking about who won the Kansas City Chiefs football game today, it’s worth looking back at that final game on January 4th to understand why the season ended so abruptly.
It was a field goal fest at Allegiant Stadium. Harrison Butker did everything he could, accounting for all 12 of the Chiefs' points with four successful kicks. The Chiefs actually held a 12-11 lead with about a minute left on the clock.
🔗 Read more: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
Then Daniel Carlson happened.
The Raiders kicker nailed a career-long 60-yard field goal with only eight seconds remaining. It was a gut-punch. That 14-12 loss marked the Chiefs' sixth straight defeat. Honestly, the offense looked stagnant, the spark was missing, and for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the team looked genuinely beatable.
What Happened to the Dynasty?
A lot of fans are asking how a team with this much talent ended up 6-11. It wasn't just one thing. It was a "perfect storm" of issues:
- Injury Bug: Key injuries to the offensive line early in the season made it impossible for the run game to get going.
- The Turnover Problem: Mahomes had a rare year where the interceptions outweighed the "magic" plays.
- Divisional Dominance Faded: The AFC West caught up. The Broncos are currently the #1 seed in the AFC, a massive shift in power from previous years.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Offseason
Even though there’s no game today, the "game" for the front office has already started. General Manager Brett Veach and Coach Andy Reid have some massive decisions to make.
💡 You might also like: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
The Chiefs will have a high draft pick—something they haven't had in a long time. They'll be looking at the 2026 NFL Draft to reload. According to early reports from local analysts like Matt McMullen, the team is expected to focus heavily on wide receiver depth and defensive edge rushers.
What to Watch Instead
If you’re craving football today, you’re out of luck for live games. But the Divisional Round is stacked. Here is what the playoff bracket looks like for the teams that did make it:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
It’s a strange feeling seeing the Patriots and Broncos at the top while the Chiefs are out, but that's the NFL parity for you.
Actionable Next Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since the Chiefs won't be on your screen today, here is how you can stay plugged in during the quietest January in KC since 2014:
- Audit the Roster: Keep an eye on the "Futures" contracts. The Chiefs started signing free agents from other leagues (like the CFL) as of January 5th.
- Mock Draft Season: Start looking at the top 10 prospects. The Chiefs are in a rare position to grab a generational talent because of their poor record.
- Watch the Rivals: Keep a close eye on the Broncos this Saturday. As the current AFC frontrunners, they are the team the Chiefs have to leapfrog to get back to the top next year.
- Check the 2026 Opponents: The 2026 schedule is already mostly set. KC will be playing the AFC East and NFC West next year, including tough matchups against the 49ers and Jets.
The quest to find out who won the Kansas City Chiefs football game today leads to a disappointing answer for now, but the rebuild in Kansas City is already underway.