The Dallas Cowboys’ journey to Chicago for their Week 3 showdown against the Chicago Bears has hit a dramatic snag, threatening their preparations for a critical matchup at Soldier Field. With kickoff scheduled for 4:25 PM ET on Sunday, the Cowboys, aiming to improve to 2-1 against the winless Bears, found themselves stranded in a chaotic airport ordeal just 24 hours before the game.
The team was set to depart Dallas at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, but their travel plans were derailed by widespread equipment malfunctions plaguing two major Dallas airports—Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field. According to Pro Football Talk, the Cowboys were caught in a whirlwind of travel chaos as hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled due to a reported “local telephone company equipment issue,” as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA clarified that the issue was not related to their own equipment but warned that disruptions could persist into Friday night and beyond.
The team was ensnared in the chaos at two Dallas airports, delaying their flight to Chicago
The team was ensnared in the chaos at two Dallas airports, delaying their flight to Chicago
FlightAware data painted a grim picture: by late Friday afternoon, nearly 700 flights to and from DFW were delayed, with around 200 canceled outright. Dallas Love Field saw about 160 delays and one cancellation. The ripple effects of the disruptions carried into Saturday, ensnaring the Cowboys’ travel plans and leaving players and staff grounded, unable to board their scheduled flight.
As the clock ticked closer to kickoff, fears mounted that the team might remain stuck in Texas or face a grueling 14-hour drive to Chicago. The delay posed a significant threat to the Cowboys’ meticulously planned pre-game routine, potentially impacting their focus and readiness for a pivotal game against a Bears team desperate for their first win.
After an agonizing wait, the Cowboys finally boarded their flight at approximately 4:40 PM ET on Saturday, narrowly avoiding disaster. However, the setback has already disrupted their pre-game night preparations, raising concerns about how the team will adapt to the unexpected turbulence.
With the Cowboys now en route to the Windy City, all eyes will be on whether this travel nightmare will cast a shadow over their performance at Soldier Field. Can Dallas shake off the chaos and deliver a commanding performance, or will the Bears capitalize on their opponents’ disrupted rhythm? Sunday’s clash just got a lot more intriguing.