Kansas City Chiefs finally arrive in Denver after ice storm delays flight

The Chiefs finally departed Kansas City International Airport for their game in Denver on Saturday after spending about four hours on the tarmac amid an ice storm that blanketed the region in anticipation of an approaching snowstorm.

The Chiefs tried to move up as the weather, which had been forecast all week, headed their way. But the plane they were supposed to use was delayed in arrival, so the team had to hold off on the mid-afternoon departure, and just before it took off, airport officials announced that all flight operations had been suspended due to “rapid ice accumulation.”

There was a brief lull between the ice line that covered Kansas City and the arrival of heavy snow, which was expected to last throughout Sunday. That gave enough time to de-ice the plane, clear the runway and get the Chiefs off the ground.

Their chartered plane was the first to take off after airport operations resumed. The team’s X-post, which shows players leaving the plane, was timestamped at 8:25 PM CT.

The Chiefs (15-1) are a No. 1 seed in the playoffs and have a first-round bye, making the regular-season finale moot for them. But the game has great significance for Denver, which could clinch its own playoff position with a win.

Earlier this week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he planned to rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes, meaning backup Carson Wentz will get the start. The Chiefs also declared right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) and running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) out, while stars like defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce were expected to kick off the game.

The Chiefs will have to wait to find out their playoff opponent. The earliest they would play in the divisional round is January 18.