NFL Teams Bracing for Extreme Cold as Playoffs Progress
Week 18 upsets and challenging weather conditions up the ante for the NFL playoffs.
Jamie Bailey
- 2024-01-12
- Updated 10:35 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - With the regular season wrapped up, the Miami Dolphins' loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 is setting the stage for high-stakes matchups in brutally cold temperatures. The Dolphins now face the Kansas City Chiefs in what is anticipated to be near-record-breaking low temperatures for football matchups, with kickoff temperatures expected near zero and wind chills diving well below. These harsh conditions have drawn comparisons to the infamous 1967 Ice Bowl, which saw temperatures plummet to minus 13 degrees with a minus 48 wind chill.
Dramatic Clashes in Inclement Weather
Meanwhile, the Bills' Week 18 victory has earned them the right to host the Pittsburgh Steelers, with forecasts predicting heavy snow and potentially sub-zero wind chills. In Detroit, a more personal storyline unfolds as the Lions meet the Los Angeles Rams. Lions quarterback Jared Goff, once part of the Rams and involved in the trade for Matthew Stafford, now faces his former team. Stafford, who won a Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams, goes against his former team where he spent 12 years, adding an emotional layer to the contest. This game also marks the Lions' first playoff game since 2017 and their first home playoff game since 1993.
Injuries and Team Changes Pose Additional Challenges
Added to the mix are critical injuries and team changes that could tip the scales in tight contests. The Eagles, who saw a strong start squandered by losing five of their last six games, are coping with injuries to key players Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Desai's replacement by Matt Patricia as the Eagles' defensive play-caller is yet another shift as they strive for a wild-card win. Similarly, the Detroit Lions' tight end Sam LaPorta's status remains uncertain ahead of their game, while the Steelers will be without T.J. Watt due to an MCL sprain. The Dolphins also have significant injuries with Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle, and Jevon Holland all questionable for their daunting clash with the Chiefs, who have experienced their own struggles with a rocky second half of the season and a noticeable dip in star tight end Travis Kelce's performance.
As the playoffs continue, the combination of extreme weather, player injuries, and shifting team dynamics is expected to test the limits of resilience and adaptability for NFL teams. With storied rivalries and new chapters unfolding, this weekend's games are set to be as much a battle against the elements as they are against formidable opponents on the field.
