It feels weird, doesn't it? Usually, around mid-January, Kansas City is buzzing. The red flags are flying, the BBQ smokers are working overtime, and Patrick Mahomes is prepping for a home game at Arrowhead. But if you are asking who's the chiefs playing this week, the reality is a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom.
The Chiefs aren't playing anyone this week. Or next week. Or the week after that.
For the first time since 2014, Kansas City is watching the NFL Divisional Round from the couch. After a grueling 2025 campaign that saw the team struggle with offensive consistency and a string of late-season heartbreaks, their year officially ended on January 4th in Las Vegas.
Why there's no Chiefs game this week
Honestly, it’s a shock to the system. We’ve become so used to the "Chiefs Invitational"—otherwise known as the AFC Championship—being a permanent fixture in Missouri. But this year, the numbers just didn't add up. The Chiefs finished the season at 6-11, a record that puts them firmly in the "rebuilding and evaluating" category rather than the "Super Bowl contender" one.
Their final game was a narrow 14-12 loss to the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. It was a game defined by field goals and a late safety that essentially acted as the final nail in the coffin. While Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele took the snaps in that finale, the season-long issues were deeper than just one game.
So, while the Buffalo Bills are heading to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos this Saturday, and the Houston Texans are prepping for a showdown in Foxborough against the Patriots, the Chiefs players are currently undergoing exit interviews and heading out for some much-needed offseason rest.
Looking ahead: The 2026 Opponents
Just because they aren't on the field today doesn't mean there isn't plenty to talk about. The NFL has already locked in the list of opponents for the 2026 season. If you're planning your travel or just want to see how hard the road back to the top will be, the schedule looks pretty daunting.
Kansas City will be playing the entire AFC East and the NFC West next year. That means heavy hitters are coming to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. You can expect to see the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and the Arizona Cardinals making the trip to KC.
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On the road, things get even tougher. The Chiefs have to travel to Buffalo—a rivalry that never lacks for drama—and head out west to take on the Seahawks in the noisy confines of Lumen Field. They also have a trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons and a showdown in Cincinnati against the Bengals.
2026 Home Games
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- San Francisco 49ers
- New England Patriots
- Indianapolis Colts
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
2026 Road Games
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Atlanta Falcons
The silver lining of an early exit
Missing the playoffs sucks. There’s no sugar-coating it. However, the Chiefs are now in a position they haven't been in for a decade: they have a high draft pick.
Finishing 6-11 means the front office, led by Brett Veach, will have a top-10 selection to play with. In a league where the margins are razor-thin, adding a blue-chip talent at a position of need—maybe another explosive wideout or a foundational tackle—could be exactly what Mahomes needs to jumpstart the offense back to its 2023 levels.
Also, let's talk about health. The "post-Super Bowl slump" is a real thing, mostly because the teams that go deep into February have significantly less time to recover. The Chiefs have played more football than almost anyone over the last five years. This extended offseason, while boring for fans, gives veterans like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones a massive window to let their bodies actually heal.
What to watch instead
Since you can't watch the Chiefs this weekend, you might as well keep an eye on the teams that are still alive in the AFC. The Denver Broncos have looked like the team to beat, securing the #1 seed with a 14-3 record. Watching how they handle the Bills on Saturday afternoon will give us a good look at the mountain the Chiefs have to climb to reclaim the AFC West crown next year.
Basically, the era of Chiefs dominance hasn't ended, but it’s definitely hit a "reset" button. It's a weird feeling for a Wednesday in January to not be checking injury reports for a Saturday playoff game. But that's the NFL. It’s brutal, it’s parity-driven, and it’s why we love it.
Instead of looking for a kickoff time this Sunday, maybe it’s time to start looking at mock drafts. The road to the 2026 season opener begins now, and for a team with this much championship DNA, you can bet they aren't planning on being spectators this time next year.
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Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Mark your calendars for May: That's when the official NFL schedule release will drop, giving us the actual dates and times for those 2026 matchups.
- Watch the NFL Draft: Keep a close eye on the Scouting Combine in February. The Chiefs’ pick will be one of the most discussed storylines of the first round.
- Monitor the coaching staff: With an early exit, keep an ear out for any potential shifts in the offensive or defensive rooms as Andy Reid looks to evolve the scheme.