The NFL has made a controversial decision regarding the Kansas City Chiefs Wild Card matchup with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night. Per the USA Today, the National Weather Service is predicting extremely frigid temperatures in Kansas City Saturday:
It will be dangerously cold Saturday when the Kansas City Chiefs battle the Miami Dolphins at 8 p.m. in Kansas City. The National Weather Service in Kansas City said the temperature could struggle to rise above zero degrees, and wind chill could hit -10 to as much as -35 degrees.
Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks on during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Those temperatures aren’t great for the players on the field, but the league is also responsible for looking out for their customers–the fans. The NFL is already planning to agitate Chiefs and Dolphins fans during the game, as the digital streaming platform Peacock will have exclusive rights to broadcast the game outside of Miami and Kansas City.
The NFL doesn’t plan to move the Chiefs/Dolphins game
Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
According to Andy Slater with Fox Sports 640, the league will not make a schedule change for the Wild Card matchup despite the reportedly dangerous conditions expected in Kansas City Saturday night.
The league has moved games to alternate stadiums because of weather before. In fact, there are plans in place this week to potentially move the Wild Card matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers to Cleveland because of the dangerous weather conditions heading to New York.
Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches a reply against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The league should consider doing the same in Kansas City. The Chiefs have worked hard this season to earn a home playoff game. The league should respect that. But putting players and fans in harm’s way due to extremely frosty temperatures crosses a line where the NFL should step in.
