Chiefs arrive in Denver after ice storm delays flight

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs finally arrived in Denver Saturday night after their plane was stranded on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport for about four hours amid an ice storm that blanketed the region ahead of an impending snowstorm.

The Chiefs, who play the Broncos in their regular-season finale on Sunday, were trying to move up the bracket as they struggled with the weather that had been forecast all week. But the plane they were expecting arrived late, so the team had to keep the afternoon departure, and shortly before departure, airport officials announced that all flight operations had been suspended due to “rapid ice formation.”

There was a brief pause between the line of ice that had glazed Kansas City and the arrival of heavy snow that was expected to continue throughout Sunday. That gave enough time to de-ice the plane, clear the runway and get the Chiefs to take off.

Their chartered jet was the first to depart after the airport resumed operations.

The Chiefs (15-1) have secured the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye, eliminating the regular-season finale for them. But the game has great significance for Denver, which could secure a spot in the playoffs with a win.

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

The Chiefs will have to wait to find out their playoff opponent. They wouldn’t play in the divisional round until Jan. 18 at the earliest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.