One NFL official explained why the Miami Dolphins’ playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs hasn’t been postponed.
I asked a league official why tonight’s Dolphins-Chiefs game was not postponed:
“There are no public safety travel concerns for getting to the stadium for fans, the clubs, stadium personnel or public authorities.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) January 13, 2024
The NFL postponed the Buffalo Bills’ matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers (originally scheduled for Sunday) to Monday because of inclement weather. The two teams will now face off at 4:30 p.m. EST on Monday.
However, since there are no concerns travel wise for the Dolphins-Chiefs matchup, the NFL is still playing the game as scheduled on Saturday night.
The Bills and Steelers game was postponed partially due to a travel ban that is being implemented on Saturday night.
The official also gave some more insight into the Dolphins game, which is set to be played in extremely cold temperatures in Kansas City.
Additional information from an NFL official about tonight’s Dolphins-Chiefs game:
🩺 NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills and other league medical consultants have been in touch with the medical staffs for both clubs, as well as medical personnel at the NFL Players…
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) January 13, 2024
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills and the league’s medical consultants have been in contact with both teams to make sure they are adhering to safe practices with the cold temperatures expected on Saturday.
In addition to that, each team will have equipment and gear to help combat the cold. Both squads will have heated benches, other heating equipment, heavy jackets and parkas, gloves, hand warmers and fluids to help deal with the freezing temperatures.
The playing field at Arrowhead Stadium will also be properly covered, heated and prepared ahead of kick off on Saturday night.
Finally, the Chiefs are also enhancing the experience for fans and game day staff by providing warming stations, hand warmers, hot beverages and refraining from having halftime entertainment.
The NFL certainly has put a lot of thought into making Saturday’s game possible, but it still will be tough for both teams to deal with such cold temperatures.
Miami certainly isn’t used to this environment as much, as the team’s home games are played in a much warmer climate in Florida.
The team will need to combat the cold to advance to the next round of the NFL playoffs, but it won’t be easy.
The Dolphins are 1-5 against teams with winning records this season, and Miami already lost a game to the Chiefs this season.
The Dolphins and Chiefs are scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 13.
