If you’re waking up today and looking for the point spread or trying to figure out what time does the chiefs play tomorrow, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for Chiefs Kingdom. Usually, this time of year, we're all checking the weather in Kansas City or scouting the Mahomes-to-Kelce connection for a Divisional Round showdown.
But tomorrow, Friday, January 16, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing.
It feels wrong. For years, January football in KC was basically a civic holiday. This season, though, the script flipped. The Chiefs finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 6-11 record, following a final 14-12 loss to the Raiders on January 4. Because they finished third in the AFC West, they didn't make the cut for the postseason. So, while other teams are prepping for the Divisional Round this weekend, the guys in Kansas City are already in offseason mode.
What Time Does the Chiefs Play Tomorrow? Understanding the Playoff Gap
Since there is no game tomorrow, you won't find a kickoff time on CBS or NBC. Usually, if the Chiefs were in the hunt, they’d be eyeing one of the big slots on Saturday or Sunday. Instead, the NFL's Divisional Round schedule for this weekend looks like this:
- Saturday, Jan. 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan. 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
It’s definitely a bitter pill to swallow. Watching the Broncos—who finished 14-3 and took the No. 1 seed—host a playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High while the Chiefs stay home is something most fans didn't see coming back in August.
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Why the Chiefs Schedule is Empty This January
The reason people are still searching for what time does the chiefs play tomorrow is likely muscle memory. When you’ve made deep playoff runs for nearly a decade, you just assume there’s a game. But 2025 was a "perfect storm" of issues.
Injuries caught up with the roster, and the offense struggled to find that explosive rhythm we're used to seeing. They finished the season 17th in total offense, averaging about 330 yards per game. That’s not "bad" by league standards, but for a team led by Patrick Mahomes, it felt like a drought. They dropped several close games, including a heartbreaker to the Broncos on Christmas Day and that season-ending defensive struggle against Las Vegas.
Because they aren't playing tomorrow, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 NFL Draft and the newly solidified list of opponents for next season.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents List
Since you won't be tuning in tomorrow, you might want to start planning for the 2026 season. We already know who the Chiefs will face because of the NFL's rotating scheduling formula. Since KC finished third in the AFC West, their 2026 schedule includes:
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- Home Games: Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Cardinals, Colts, Jets, Patriots, and the 49ers.
- Away Games: Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Bengals, Bills, Dolphins, Falcons, Rams, and Seahawks.
That 17th game—the extra cross-conference matchup—will be against the Atlanta Falcons on the road. It’s a tough slate. Playing the AFC East and the NFC West means Mahomes will be facing off against some of the most physical defenses in the league next year.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans This Weekend
Since there is no kickoff to catch tomorrow, here is how you can stay plugged into the team's progress:
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- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Broncos and Bills game on Saturday. Since the Chiefs finished third, they’ll be chasing these two teams specifically in the AFC hierarchy next year.
- Track Draft Position: The Chiefs will likely have a mid-to-early first-round pick, a rarity in the Mahomes era. This is a prime opportunity to see which college playmakers could help restock the wide receiver room.
- Check International News: There is a lot of talk about the Rams playing in Melbourne, Australia, in 2026. Since the Chiefs are scheduled to play the Rams away, there’s a chance that game could be moved to an international site.
- Monitor Coaching Changes: Following a losing season, expect some shifts in the coaching staff or scouting department. The "Chiefs Way" is about adaptation, and those moves usually start happening right about now.
While it's quiet at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend, the work for the 2026 comeback has already begun.