It’s been a weird year to be a football fan. Seriously. If you’re checking your phone or asking friends who won the Kansas City Chiefs game lately, you might have been met with a blank stare—or a laugh. That's because, for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over the reins in Kansas City, the Chiefs aren't actually playing right now. They aren't in the playoffs.
Yeah, you read that right. The reigning dynastic force of the NFL hit a wall.
The Last Time They Suited Up
The last time the Chiefs actually took the field was on January 4, 2026. It was the regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. If you’re looking for the score of that specific matchup, it wasn't the offensive firework show we've come to expect. The Las Vegas Raiders won, 14-12. It was a gritty, ugly, field-goal-heavy affair at Allegiant Stadium. Harrison Butker did his best, drilling four field goals, including a 41-yarder with just about a minute left to give KC a tiny lead. But the Raiders' Daniel Carlson answered back with a monster 60-yard kick with eight seconds on the clock. Game over. Season over.
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Why Nobody is Playing Today
Since today is January 15, 2026, the rest of the league is gearing up for the Divisional Round. But the Chiefs? They finished the season with a 6-11 record.
That puts them third in the AFC West, well behind the Denver Broncos (who actually secured the #1 seed in the AFC) and the Los Angeles Chargers. It is a massive shock to the system. We are talking about a team that had become a permanent fixture in the AFC Championship game. Seeing them sit at home while the Bills, Texans, and Broncos fight it out feels… wrong.
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What Went Wrong in Kansas City?
Honestly, it wasn't just one thing. It was a "perfect storm" of issues that started back in September.
- The Mahomes Health Factor: While Mahomes didn't have a season-ending injury, he was clearly hampered by nagging issues. By the end of the season, guys like Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun were taking meaningful snaps.
- The Schedule from Hell: They had to face the AFC East and the NFC West this year. Those are arguably the two deepest divisions in football.
- Offensive Identity Crisis: The magic just wasn't there. Travis Kelce is still a legend, but the explosive, "score from anywhere" vibe of the 2023 and 2024 seasons seemed to vanish under the weight of defensive adjustments and age.
The Playoff Picture Without the Chiefs
If you are wondering who won the Kansas City Chiefs spot in the postseason, look toward the Denver Broncos. They’ve taken over the AFC West throne for now. The Wild Card round just wrapped up a few days ago, and the survivors are headed to the Divisional matchups this weekend (January 17-18).
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- The Buffalo Bills narrowly beat the Jaguars 27-24.
- The Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6.
- The New England Patriots (yes, they're back) handled the Chargers 16-3.
The Chiefs’ absence has opened up the bracket in a way we haven't seen in nearly a decade. Analysts like Adam Schefter and the crew at ESPN have been calling this the "Power Vacuum Postseason." Without the "Big Bad" of Kansas City to knock out, teams like Buffalo finally feel like the path to the Super Bowl is actually clear.
What’s Next for Kansas City?
So, the game is over, the season is done, and the Chiefs are looking at a high draft pick for once. They are already slated to play a "third-place schedule" in 2026, which means they’ll be facing teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts based on their standings.
Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the official medical updates for Mahomes. The offseason surgery rumors are already swirling.
- Watch the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs will have their highest draft pick in years. They need a true WR1 and some fresh blood on the offensive line.
- Scout the Bengals: Since KC is locked into playing Cincinnati next year, keep an eye on how Joe Burrow finishes this postseason. That rivalry is going to be the highlight of the 2026 schedule.
The era of Mahomes dominance isn't necessarily over, but the "invincibility" factor definitely took a hit this January. For now, the answer to who won the Chiefs game is simply: the other guys.