Coldest Games in NFL History
Much of the NFL season is played during the fall and winter months–and unlike the NHL or NBA, most NFL games are played in open-air stadiums, where athletes and spectators are exposed to the elements. Still, NFL games are rarely rescheduled on account of weather. In the last decade and a half, there have been more than 4,000 NFL games, and little more than half a dozen of them have been postponed due to extreme weather.
In the NFL, players are often expected to perform in some of the most severe weather conditions, including frigid temperatures. But for many teams in the league, the local climate is a feature, not a bug. The Buffalo Bills, for example, are currently playing their first season in a brand new, $2.1 billion, open-air stadium. Subject to regular lake effect storms, Buffalo is one of the snowiest places in the country, and the lack of a retractable roof or climate control in the new facility left many scratching their heads. However, Buffalo weather has come to be associated with the team’s identity, and when playing in severe winter weather against opponents from warmer climates, some have claimed that the elements offer the home team some advantage.
Buffalo is not the only city with brutal winters and an open air stadium. Others include Gillette Stadium outside of Boston, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Soldier Field in Chicago. These and other cities have hosted some of the coldest games in NFL history, and the outcome of many of these games suggests freezing temperatures may have given an edge to the home team.
Using data from The Sporting News, a pro-sports publication, and the NFL, Climate Crisis 247 identified the coldest games in NFL history. We ranked 11 of the coldest games in NFL history on the local temperature on game day, and also noted temperatures accounting for wind chill. Of the 11 games on this list, 10 were played in 0°F weather or colder. Game outcomes are as reported by Pro Football Reference.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers v. Cincinnati Bengals (December 10, 1977)
- Game location: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Local temperature on gameday: 2°F (-17°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Cincinnati on Dec. 10 (1991-2020 avg.): 28.1°F daily low; 35.5°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Cincinnati 17, Pittsburgh 10
10. Green Bay Packers v. Minnesota Vikings (December 10, 1972)
- Game location: Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Local temperature on gameday: 0°F (-18°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Minneapolis on Dec. 10 (1991-2020 avg.): 17.0°F daily low; 24.5°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Green Bay 23, Minnesota 7
9. Green Bay Packers v. Los Angeles Raiders (December 26, 1993)
- Game location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Local temperature on gameday: 0°F (-20°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Green Bay on Dec. 26 (1991-2020 avg.): 15.0°F daily low; 21.5°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Green Bay 28, Los Angeles 0
8. Denver Broncos v. Kansas City Chiefs (December 18, 1983)
- Game location: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
- Local temperature on gameday: 0°F (-30°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Kansas City on Dec. 18 (1991-2020 avg.): 26.0°F daily low; 34.6°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Kansas City 48, Denver 17
7. Buffalo Bills v. Los Angeles Raiders (January 15, 1994)
- Game location: Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York
- Local temperature on gameday: 0°F (-32°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Buffalo on Jan. 15 (1991-2020 avg.): 18.8°F daily low; 25.4°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Buffalo 29, Los Angeles 23
6. Green Bay Packers v. New York Giants (January 20, 2008)
- Game location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Local temperature on gameday: -1°F (-23°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Green Bay on Jan. 20 (1991-2020 avg.): 10.3°F daily low; 17.6°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: New York 23, Green Bay 20
5. Chicago Bears v. Minnesota Vikings (December 3, 1972)
- Game location: Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Local temperature on gameday: -2°F (-26°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Minneapolis on Dec. 3 (1991-2020 avg.): 19.7°F daily low; 26.5°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Minnesota 23, Chicago 10
4. Miami Dolphins v. Kansas City Chiefs (January 13, 2024)
- Game location: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
- Local temperature on gameday: -4°F (-27°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Kansas City on Jan. 13 (1991-2020 avg.): 21.9°F daily low; 30.7°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Kansas City 26, Miami 7
3. Seattle Seahawks v. Minnesota Vikings (January 10, 2016)
- Game location: TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Local temperature on gameday: -6°F (-25°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Minneapolis on Jan. 10 (1991-2020 avg.): 9.0°F daily low; 16.2°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Seattle 10, Minnesota 9
2. Cincinnati Bengals v. San Diego Chargers (January 10, 1982)
- Game location: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Local temperature on gameday: -9°F (-59°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Cincinnati on Jan. 10 (1991-2020 avg.): 21.7°F daily low; 29.1°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Cincinnati 27, San Diego 7
1. Green Bay Packers v. Dallas Cowboys (December 31, 1967)
- Game location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Local temperature on gameday: -13°F (-48°F with windchill)
- Temperature norms in Green Bay on Dec. 31 (1991-2020 avg.): 13.7°F daily low; 20.4°F daily avg.
- Game outcome: Green Bay 21, Dallas 17
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