In a strategic move ahead of the NFL playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed that quarterback Patrick Mahomes and star tight end Travis Kelce will not participate in their Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The announcement came on Sunday afternoon, just over an hour before kickoff, as the Chiefs look to safeguard their key players following a successful regular season.

The decision to rest Mahomes and Kelce, along with several other prominent players, was anticipated given that the Chiefs had already secured the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. Head Coach Andy Reid made the call earlier in the week to bench Mahomes, allowing backup Carson Wentz to take the reins for the reigning Super Bowl champions. Alongside Mahomes and Kelce, notable inactive players include pass rusher Chris Jones, running back Isaiah Pacheco, and cornerback Trent McDuffie.

Despite their absence from the field, both Mahomes and Kelce traveled to Denver, where Mahomes was spotted arriving at Mile High Stadium dressed casually in gray pants and a hoodie, a stark contrast to his usual sharp-dressed appearance. The stakes were particularly high for the Broncos, who entered the game with a 9-7 record and a desperate need for a victory to secure a playoff spot.

The Chiefs faced significant travel challenges as they prepared for the game, with a winter storm causing a delay that left their team plane stranded on the runway. Originally scheduled to depart Kansas City at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, the Chiefs did not take off until around 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. The storm led to rapid ice accumulation, forcing the closure of Kansas City International Airport and resulting in further complications, including the malfunction of the airport’s deicing machine. Some flights were reportedly diverted to Omaha, Nebraska, more than 500 miles from Denver.

As the Chiefs looked ahead to the playoffs, the importance of this game for the Broncos could not be understated. A win was crucial for Denver to maintain hopes of clinching the final playoff spot in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, with a 15-1 record, comfortably prepared for their upcoming divisional round matchup scheduled for January 18th, focusing on maintaining their momentum into the postseason.

With the Chiefs opting to rest their stars, the matchup against the Broncos was destined to play a pivotal role in shaping the playoff landscape, particularly for a Denver team fighting for its postseason life. The outcome of the game would not only impact the Broncos’ chances but also the overall narrative of the AFC playoffs as the teams gear up for the critical final stretch of the season.