The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs are set to square off this Saturday in what is expected to be one of the coldest NFL playoff games ever. With temperatures potentially dropping below zero, both teams are preparing for a frigid fight at Arrowhead Stadium.
Game Time and Broadcast Information
The AFC Wild Card showdown will kick off at 7:15 PM CT on Saturday, January 14th. In a controversial broadcasting decision, the game will exclusively air on the streaming platform Peacock.
This marks the first time an NFL playoff game will not be available on traditional television. Fans must have a Peacock subscription to watch the matchup.
Many fans and players have voiced frustration over the streaming-only route. Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu stated “This is insane. I won’t lie to you. This is insane.”
In response, Omenihu has offered to buy Peacock subscriptions for 10 lucky fans.
Brutal Cold Front Moves In
Early weather reports show the AFC matchup could be historic not just for its streaming exclusivity, but for its frigid conditions.
Current forecasts call for a temperature around 0 degrees at kickoff. Some models even suggest the mercury could drop as low as -10 degrees as the game goes on.
If temperatures do plunge below zero, it would be the coldest game ever for both the Dolphins and Chiefs franchises. The current coldest game stands at 2 degrees for Miami and 5 degrees for Kansas City.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the icy forecast, stating “We’re not having a snowball fight”. Still, Reid affirmed that his team is prepared for the arctic blast.
Dolphins players may need to take extra precautions as they leave the warmth of South Beach for the Midwest deep freeze. Defensive back Jevon Holland said the team is bringing battery packs to keep heated clothing functioning properly.
| Coldest Games in Franchise History | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Chiefs | 5 degrees |
| Dolphins | 2 degrees |
Playoff History and Matchup Preview
The Chiefs enter the playoffs as AFC West champions boasting a 14-3 record. Miami squeaked into the playoffs at 9-8, claiming the AFC’s 7th seed.
Despite Kansas City being heavily favored, these two teams seem to play each other close lately. 4 of their last 5 meetings have been decided by less than a touchdown.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns for the second time in his career. He pilots an explosive Kansas City offense featuring star tight end Travis Kelce and breakout rookie Isiah Pacheco at running back.
Miami lacks the offensive firepower of Kansas City, but makes up for it with a gritty defensive unit. The Dolphins defense finished top 5 in points and yards allowed. Whether this stingy group can slow Mahomes and company in frigid conditions remains to be seen.
On offense, Miami is paced by dynamic wideout Tyreek Hill. Hill starred for the Chiefs before being traded to the Dolphins last offseason. Facing his former team in the playoffs adds intrigue to an already exciting matchup.
Looking Ahead
The winner of this AFC Wild Card battle will move on to face either the Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round. Buffalo and Cincinnati square off on Sunday, with the winner earning home field advantage next week.
As things stand now, the Chiefs would host the Bengals if both teams advance. The Dolphins would likely head back out on the road to face the Bills.
No matter this weekend’s results, winter weather looks here to stay throughout the AFC playoffs. All potential Divisional Round matchups feature outdoor stadiums in cold weather cities.
So while the Wild Card cold shocks both Miami and Kansas City, it may be just the first of many frigid games before an AFC champion is crowned.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
