The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 18 match against the Las Vegas Raiders has officially been scheduled.
The NFL keeps every game on the Week 18 schedule listed as “to be decided” (TBD) every year to give games with playoff implications the best possible time slots. Unlike the Chiefs’ Week 18 tilt with the Denver Broncos last season, there aren’t any playoff implications for this game. Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention and aren’t playing for much more than pride at this point. That could go a long way in this game, given these two teams are longtime rivals and don’t like each other much.
The game will be one of the games played on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS.
What’s on the line in the Chiefs’ Week 18 game vs. the Raiders
As much as fans might be joking about the Chiefs tanking, the Raiders are absolutely tanking to obtain the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. They’ve placed virtually every star player they have on injured reserve, including star DE Maxx Crosby. A loss to K.C. would guarantee the Raiders the No. 1 overall pick after the Giants beat them in Week 17. They lost QB Geno Smith to injury in Week 17, which means that Kenny Pickett is in line to start for Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs need a few different results in Week 18 in addition to a loss of their own to secure the highest pick they’ve had in Round 1 since trading up and selecting Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 overall in 2017. Right now, they’re at No. 9, but they can’t go any higher than No. 8 overall. Ideally, you want a top 10 selection if you’re in Kansas City.
This week also represents the Chiefs’ last chance to really lean into giving their young players some real game experience and building toward the 2026 NFL season. They haven’t fully leaned into doing that since being eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago. I expect that to mostly change in Week 18, with players like Dameon Pierce, Jalen Royals, Brashard Smith, Jeffrey Bassa, and more getting an extended look.
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Will Week 18 be Chiefs TE Travis Kelce’s final NFL game?
How the Chiefs handle Kelce’s playing time in Week 18 against the Raiders could well tip off which way he’s leaning on retirement. Kelce needs just 57 yards receiving during the game to move into second place all-time among tight ends in receiving yards, passing Jason Witten (13,046), and trailing only Tony Gonzalez (15,127). If the team comes out with a plan to target Kelce early and often, that could be all she wrote for No. 87.
This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.