If you’re checking the score to see who's winning the Kansas City Chiefs game today, Friday, January 16, 2026, there’s a bit of a reality check coming. The Chiefs aren't playing. In fact, they aren’t even in the playoffs this year.
It feels weird to type that. For years, the Kingdom has been used to January football being a foregone conclusion. Usually, by mid-January, we’re talking about Patrick Mahomes’ ankle or Travis Kelce’s latest postseason record. Not this time. The 2025-2026 season was a massive departure from the dynasty script we’ve all been watching on loop.
The Chiefs finished their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a frustrating 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. That game basically summed up their whole year: close, but just not enough. They finished with a 6-11 record. Yeah, you read that right. Six wins. For a team that was chasing a "3-peat" just twelve months ago, the fall-off has been one of the biggest stories in the NFL.
The Reality of the 2026 NFL Playoffs
Right now, the rest of the league is moving on without Kansas City. While you might have been looking for who's winning the Kansas City Chiefs game, the actual scoreboard is filled with teams like the Bills, Texans, and Seahawks.
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, is when the real Divisional Round action kicks off. We’ve got the Buffalo Bills heading to Denver to face the Broncos—who, honestly, completely took over the AFC West this year. Then you have the San Francisco 49ers traveling to Seattle. If you’re a Chiefs fan, seeing the Broncos at 14-3 while KC sits at home is a tough pill to swallow.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET, CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET, FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: L.A. Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC)
It’s a strange landscape. The Patriots are back in the hunt with a 14-3 record, and the Bears are actually a powerhouse in the NFC. The "Mahomes Magic" that usually carries the winter months just didn't have the same spark this season.
Why the Chiefs Aren't Winning Right Now
You’ve gotta look at the roster and the injuries to understand why we aren't seeing a Chiefs playoff game today.
Basically, the depth finally caught up to them. Patrick Mahomes dealt with a rotating door of offensive linemen, and while he still put up decent yards—like that 352-yard performance against the Colts in November—the consistency vanished. They lost five games in a row to close out the season. You can’t make the playoffs losing to the Titans, Broncos, and Raiders in the final month.
Even the legendary Mahomes-Kelce connection showed some age. Travis Kelce is still a force, but he wasn't the "bail-out" option he used to be when the pocket collapsed. In that final game against the Raiders, the Chiefs didn't even score a touchdown. Four Harrison Butker field goals were the only points on the board. It’s hard to win in the NFL when you can’t find the end zone.
What's Next for Kansas City?
So, if nobody is winning a Chiefs game today, what are they doing?
The front office is already looking at the 2026 Draft and free agency. Because they finished 6-11, they’ll actually have a decent draft pick for once. They need to rebuild the defensive interior and find a true, consistent WR1 who can stay healthy.
We already know their 2026 opponents. It’s a gauntlet. They’ll have to face the NFC West (49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals) and the AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots). Plus, they have their usual divisional battles against a rejuvenated Broncos squad and a Chargers team that seems to have finally figured things out.
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Your Action Plan for the Offseason
If you’re a fan or a bettor who was looking for who's winning the Kansas City Chiefs game, here is how you should pivot your focus for the rest of the month:
- Watch the Broncos vs. Bills: This is the game that determines the new king of the AFC. Denver is the #1 seed for a reason, but Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed.
- Keep an eye on the 49ers/Seahawks rivalry: This is the best game of the weekend. Seattle’s defense is currently ranked #1 in the league, allowing only 17.2 points per game.
- Track the Draft Order: Since the Chiefs are out, start looking at mock drafts. Kansas City will likely be picking in the top 10-12, a spot they haven't occupied in a very long time.
- Ignore the "Dynasty Over" Hype: People love to bury a champion. Remember that Mahomes is still Mahomes. This was a "down" year by impossible standards, but they’ll be back in the conversation by August.
The playoffs continue tomorrow without the red and gold. It’s a weird feeling, but that’s the NFL. Parity eventually catches everyone, even the greats.
Next Steps:
Stay updated on the Divisional Round scores by following the live trackers on NFL.com or ESPN. If you're looking for early 2026 season tickets, the Chiefs' home schedule will include high-profile matchups against the 49ers and the Jets, with dates expected to be released this coming May.