Chiefs-Dolphins Wild Card game

The Chiefs-Dolphins Wild Card Game was a thrilling matchup that captivated football fans across the nation. Taking place on a cold January evening, the game showcased the talent and determination of both teams as they battled for a spot in the playoffs.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that this game would be one for the ages. The Chiefs' high-powered offense, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Mahomes connected with his receivers effortlessly, threading needle-like passes through tight coverage. The Dolphins defense fought valiantly but struggled to contain the Chiefs' explosive offense.

Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes displayed the perfect example of how cold the team’s Wild Card game against the Miami Dolphins was on Saturday.

Midway through the third quarter, the Chiefs were in the red zone trying to increase their 16-7 lead, when the game was stopped because Mahomes’ helmet was shattered, leaving behind a gaping hole.

The temperature at kickoff was minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of minus-27, making it the fourth-coldest in NFL history. And that might well have made the shell of Mahomes’ helmet more brittle than usual. So when it clashed with the helmet of Dolphins safety Deshon Elliot, Mahomes was left with a fist-sized chunk missing from the outer layer just above his left eye.

It all worked out, but this never should have happened. The companies that manufacture football helmets are required to put them through safety testing before the helmets are approved for use in the NFL, but it’s unclear whether that testing is done under the extreme temperatures that Kansas City experienced on Saturday night. Both the NFL and the NFL Players Association should insist on testing helmets in subzero temperatures — and if there’s some temperature at which it’s too cold for helmets to perform reliably, then it’s too cold to play.

Notably, referees did not make the Chiefs burn a timeout for Mahomes to undergo an equipment change, which is atypical. The officiating blunder mattered very little as the Dolphins were outclassed from the opening whistle.

Kansas City will play either the Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, where Chiefs fans everywhere will hope Mahomes is able to avoid equipment-shattering hits.

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Sarah H

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