If you’re looking for a score from a Raiders game today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the short answer is: nobody.
The Las Vegas Raiders didn't play a game today. While the NFL is currently in the heat of the Divisional Round playoffs—featuring matchups like the Texans at the Patriots and the Rams at the Bears—the Silver and Black are already deep into their offseason vacations.
Honestly, after the season they just had, the fans probably need the break more than the players do.
The Raiders officially capped off their 2025-2026 campaign two weeks ago on January 4th. They finished with a dismal 3-14 record. But, in true Raiders fashion, they didn't go out quietly. They actually ended the year on a high note by beating the Kansas City Chiefs 14-12 in a game that was as ugly as it was thrilling.
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Who Won the Raiders Football Game Today? Why the Team is Missing from the Playoffs
Since there isn't a game on the schedule today, let's talk about why. To rank in the postseason, you generally need to win more than three games. Under head coach Pete Carroll—who many experts, including those at the Las Vegas Sun, suggest might be done after just one season—the Raiders struggled to find any real identity.
They suffered through a soul-crushing 10-game losing streak that stretched from mid-October all the way to the end of December. You've got to feel for the season ticket holders at Allegiant Stadium. It was a rough ride.
But if we look at the "last" game they played, which is what most people are actually thinking about when they search for the score, the Raiders managed to pull off a miracle.
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That Wild Season Finale: Raiders 14, Chiefs 12
The Raiders won their final game of the season on January 4, 2026. It was a bizarre, defensive slugfest against a Chiefs team that was also struggling. There wasn't a single touchdown scored by either side. Think about that for a second. In a modern NFL game, both teams forgot how to find the end zone.
Instead, it was a battle of the kickers. Daniel Carlson basically carried the entire franchise on his back that day. He went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a career-long 60-yard bomb with only eight seconds left on the clock to seal the win.
Key Moments from the Last Raiders Victory:
- Tyree Wilson's Safety: In the fourth quarter, the edge rusher sacked Chiefs QB Shane Buechele in the end zone, giving the Raiders a temporary 11-6 lead.
- The Carlson 60-Yarder: After the Chiefs took a 12-11 lead with a minute left, Aidan O'Connell orchestrated a desperate drive that set up Carlson for the game-winner.
- Breaking the Streak: This win snapped an 11-game losing streak against AFC West opponents and marked the first time the Raiders ever beat the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Silver Lining: The 2026 NFL Draft
While you won't see the Raiders on your TV screen today, there is a massive reason for optimism. Because of that 3-14 record, the Raiders have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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The New York Giants actually helped them out on that final Sunday by beating the Cowboys, which locked the Raiders into the top spot before their own game even kicked off. Basically, the Raiders got the win and the top pick in the same 24-hour span. That's a rare "W" for a team that has spent most of the year in the basement.
What’s Next for the Silver and Black?
Now that the season is over and the playoffs are moving on without them, the focus shifts entirely to the front office. There are a few things you should be watching for in the coming weeks.
First, the coaching situation. Pete Carroll’s future is the biggest question mark in Vegas right now. Was the win over the Chiefs enough to save his job, or is the organization looking for a younger voice to lead a total rebuild?
Second, the quarterback position. Aidan O'Connell had his moments, but with the No. 1 pick, the Raiders are almost certainly going to be looking at the top college prospects. Names like Arch Manning or whoever emerges as the consensus top QB will be linked to Vegas every single day until April.
Actionable Steps for Raiders Fans:
- Track the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on local Vegas insiders; if a change is coming, it usually happens before the Super Bowl.
- Scout the No. 1 Pick: Start looking at mock drafts. Having the first pick changes the entire trajectory of the franchise.
- Check the 2026 Opponents: The 2026 home schedule is already set, featuring games against the Bills, Dolphins, and Rams.
The Raiders aren't playing today, but the work for next September has already started. If you're looking for football to watch right now, turn on the AFC Divisional matchup—it's likely where the Raiders hope to be this time next year.