The Kansas City Chiefs encountered significant delays on their way to Denver for their regular-season finale against the Broncos due to severe winter weather. An ice storm blanketed the Kansas City area, causing their plane to remain stranded on the tarmac for about four hours at Kansas City International Airport. Despite efforts to move up the flight in anticipation of the storm, the plane intended for the trip was delayed, forcing the team to stick with their original mid-afternoon departure. Just before their takeoff, airport officials suspended all flights due to “rapid ice accumulation.”
Fortunately, a short break in the weather allowed airport crews to de-ice the Chiefs’ plane and clear the runway, enabling operations to resume. This window of opportunity came just before heavy snow was forecasted to blanket the region throughout Sunday. The Chiefs’ chartered jet was the first plane to depart once the airport resumed flight operations, finally getting the team on their way to Denver late Saturday evening.
The Chiefs enter their final regular-season game with a stellar 15-1 record, having already secured the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye. As a result, the outcome of the game holds little significance for Kansas City but carries high stakes for Denver. The Broncos, with a potential playoff berth on the line, are highly motivated to secure a victory.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has opted to rest several key players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, for the matchup. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz will take the field in Mahomes’ place, while stars like Chris Jones and Travis Kelce are also expected to sit out. Additionally, injuries have sidelined right tackle Jawaan Taylor and running back Isiah Pacheco, further reducing the Chiefs’ active roster for the game.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs will have to wait to learn their playoff opponent as they enjoy their first-round bye. Their earliest postseason game is scheduled for January 18, giving the team ample time to prepare for the divisional round and their pursuit of another championship.
