The Kansas City Chiefs faced a significant delay on their journey to Denver, as they spent approximately four hours stranded on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport due to an ice storm. This unexpected setback occurred just before an impending blizzard, complicating weather conditions throughout the region.
The Chiefs had anticipated deteriorating weather conditions, which had been forecasted well in advance. In response, they attempted to reschedule their flight earlier than initially planned. However, the plane designated for their travel arrived late, forcing them to adhere to a mid-afternoon departure slot. Just as they were preparing for takeoff, airport officials decided to suspend all flight operations owing to ‘rapid ice accumulation.’
There was a brief window of opportunity between the presence of ice and the arrival of heavy snowfall expected to blanket the area throughout Sunday. During this interval, ground crews managed to de-ice the aircraft and clear the runway, enabling the Chiefs to finally depart. Notably, their chartered jet was the first to leave once the airport resumed operations.
Currently, the Chiefs hold a record of 15-1 and have already secured the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, along with a first-round bye. Consequently, their final game of the regular season against Denver holds little consequence for them, but it is of crucial importance for Denver, which could secure a playoff spot with a victory.
Coach Andy Reid has announced that key players, including starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will be resting for the game. As a result, backup quarterback Carson Wentz is set to start in his place. Additionally, right tackle Jawaan Taylor and running back Isiah Pacheco have been declared unavailable due to injuries, while defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce are also expected to sit out.
The Chiefs await confirmation of their playoff opponent, with the earliest potential date for their divisional round game being January 18.
Despite the weather-induced travel delays, the Kansas City Chiefs remain unfazed as they prepare for their playoff run. With their top seed secured, the team is strategically resting key players ahead of more consequential games, while Denver faces a must-win scenario in their upcoming matchup.
Source: Local10
