It feels weird even typing this out, but the Kansas City Chiefs season is officially over. If you've been frantically Googling to find out what was the score of the kansas city chiefs game, you probably saw a result that looked like a typo.
They lost. Again.
The Chiefs wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season with a 14-12 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026. This wasn't some high-flying shootout where Patrick Mahomes was throwing behind-the-back passes for sixty yards. No, it was a gritty, ugly, field-goal-heavy grind at Allegiant Stadium that left fans wondering where the magic went.
The Week 18 Heartbreak in Vegas
Most people checking on the score expected a blowout, or at least a standard win to close out the year. Instead, we got a game where the most exciting player on the field was arguably the kicker.
Harrison Butker did everything he could, accounting for all 12 of Kansas City's points. He was 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 41-yarder with just over a minute left that actually gave the Chiefs a 12-11 lead. For a second, it felt like they might escape with a win. But then, Daniel Carlson happened.
With eight seconds on the clock, Carlson nailed a 60-yard field goal to steal the game. 14-12. Ball game. Season over.
It's kinda wild when you look at the box score. The Raiders didn't even score a touchdown. They relied on four field goals from Carlson and a safety where Shane Buechele—who was starting in place of Mahomes—got sacked in the end zone by Tyree Wilson.
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Why the Score Was So Low
Honestly, the quarterback situation was a mess. With the playoffs out of reach, the Chiefs weren't playing for much other than pride. Mahomes wasn't under center. Instead, we saw Shane Buechele trying to make things happen with a roster that looked tired.
- Total Yards: The Chiefs only managed 168 total yards.
- Passing: Buechele went 14 for 22, but for only 88 yards.
- Turnovers: A late fumble by JuJu Smith-Schuster on a desperation lateral play ended any hope of a miracle.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
When people ask what was the score of the kansas city chiefs most recent games, they expect to see a winning streak. They expect the "dynasty" numbers. But the reality is that the Chiefs finished this season with a 6-11 record.
That is not a typo.
This was the first time under Andy Reid that the team didn't just struggle—they bottomed out. They ended the year on a six-game losing streak. Think about that. From late November through the first week of January, they didn't win a single game.
The defense, led by Chris Jones, stayed somewhat respectable, but the offense just couldn't find its rhythm. Injuries played a role, sure, but there was also a lack of that "it" factor we've seen since 2018.
A Quick Look Back at the Final Stretch
If you missed the scores leading up to the finale, here is a quick rundown of how the wheels came off:
- Christmas Day: A 20-13 loss to the Broncos.
- Week 16: A 26-9 thumping by the Titans.
- Week 15: A narrow 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
Basically, the Chiefs became the team that kept things close but couldn't close the door. It’s a bitter pill for a fan base used to planning Super Bowl parades by January.
The Playoff Picture (Or Lack Thereof)
Since the Chiefs finished 3rd in the AFC West, they did not qualify for the 2025-2026 playoffs. While teams like the New England Patriots (14-3) and the Chicago Bears (14-3) are gearing up for deep runs, Kansas City is heading home.
This changes the entire vibe of the postseason. We’ve become so used to the AFC Championship running through Arrowhead Stadium that seeing the Wild Card round happen without a red jersey on the field feels like an alternate reality.
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What This Means for Next Year
If you're looking for a silver lining, here it is: high draft picks. The Chiefs aren't used to picking in the top half of the draft. This 6-11 finish gives Brett Veach and the front office some serious capital to fix the offensive line issues and find some fresh legs for the receiving corps.
They've already started making moves, though losing veterans like Joe Thuney in trades earlier in the season clearly hurt the protection for whoever was under center.
Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Watch the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the final NFL standings to see exactly where the Chiefs will pick in April.
- Monitor the Injury Report: The off-season will be all about getting Mahomes and the core starters back to 100%.
- Evaluate the Roster: Look for news on Travis Kelce’s future; after a season like this, retirement rumors always start to swirl.
The 14-12 final score against the Raiders might be a low point, but in the NFL, things move fast. The dynasty isn't necessarily dead, but it definitely needs a jumpstart.