NFL decides to keep Chiefs-Buccaneers game in Tampa

The National Football League has decided to keep the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after all, despite Hurricane Ian’s devastation.

The Kansas City Chiefs have known all along that they were going to travel to play their Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The only question was which direction they would fly, given the complications presented by the ongoing destructive weather of Hurricane Ian. As it turns out, the National Football League has decided to keep the game as scheduled on Sunday Night Football at Raymond James Stadium despite the concerns throughout the week.

Earlier this week, it looked as if the league might be forced to shift the game to Minnesota, which remains ready with an empty stadium given their scheduled contest in London. However, as recently as yesterday, the storm’s path had the league hopeful they could keep things as planned.

For the Chiefs, it will be the second consecutive road game after a losing trip to Indianapolis in Week 3 after two wins to start the year. The Buccaneers are facing the same momentum after losing by two points to the Green Bay Packers last weekend. One of the two teams will fall to .500 after starting the season 2-0.

It remains to be seen whether the NFL’s plans will change things on a local level. While the game can be played, the use of emergency services and the idea of tens of thousands of fans traveling just makes zero sense in such a scenario, but the league is going forward anyway.

The Chiefs and Bucs are expected to kick off the game at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 7:20 p.m. C.T.