KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A rematch of the AFC championship game will have to wait a little while longer.
The start of the Ravens’ season opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chief has been delayed to 8:40 p.m., per the NBC broadcast, by lightning near Arrowhead Stadium. Heavy rain and wind started pounding the area shortly before 7:30 p.m. ET, just over an hour before the original kickoff.
With flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, fans and personnel were cleared from the stands and the field. The inclement weather was due to move through the area by around 8 p.m. and fans were allowed to return to their seats, but the players need time to continue their warmups before kickoff.
Baltimore is looking to avenge its 17-10 loss in last season’s AFC title game. The highly anticipated matchup also for the first time pits two players who have won multiple NFL Most Valuable Player Awards in Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.
This article will be updated.