2024 NFL playoff climate: Dolphins at Chiefs might be the coldest sport in historical past for each franchises – CBS Sports activities

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If the Dolphins had crushed the Bills in Week 18, they’d be on the point of play a wild-card sport within the balmy climate of Miami, however as a consequence of their loss, they’re now headed to Kansas Metropolis for what’s going to doubtless be the coldest sport in franchise historical past. 
When the Dolphins and Chiefs kick off on Saturday evening, the temperature is anticipated to be round 3 levels with a wind chill approaching -30, according to the National Weather Service. If that projection holds up, then this can turn out to be the coldest sport that the Dolphins have ever performed in, which is not nice information for them, contemplating they’ve misplaced 10 straight video games when the kickoff temperature is 40 levels or beneath (You can read more about that here).
In a weird coincidence, the sport that presently holds the title for coldest in Dolphins historical past was truly performed in Kansas Metropolis again in 2008 on a day the place the temperature was 10 levels at kickoff. Until the forecast adjustments dramatically between now and Saturday, it is a fairly protected guess that document goes to fall.
Though the Dolphins have not been capable of win in chilly climate, Chiefs coach Andy Reid will not expect their struggles to proceed on Saturday evening. 
“You may’t financial institution on that. That is the place you get into hassle,” Reid stated, via The Associated Press. “We’re not having a snowball struggle.”
If the kickoff temperature drops down to three levels, then Saturday’s sport will turn out to be the coldest sport that the NFL has seen since December 2016. 
When the week began, the anticipated temperature at kickoff was projected to be about 10 levels, however that quantity has dropped steadily over the previous three days and if it retains dropping, the Chiefs might additionally set their franchise document for coldest sport ever performed. Again in 1983, the Chiefs performed a sport the place the temperature was 0.5 levels at kickoff, which presently stands because the coldest in franchise historical past, in accordance to Pro Football Reference. 
If the forecast adjustments dramatically between now and Saturday, there’s an out of doors probability that we might see NFL historical past made. In accordance with the league, there have solely been 4 video games ever the place the kickoff temperature was beneath zero. 
Packers 21-17 over Dallas (Ice Bowl)
-13 levels (-48 wind chill)
Inexperienced Bay
Dec. 31, 1967
Bengals 27-7 over Chargers (Freezer Bowl)
-9 levels (-59 wind chill)
Cincinnati
Jan. 10, 1982
Seahawks 10-9 over Vikings
-6 levels (-25 wind chill)
Minnesota
Jan. 10, 2016
Giants 23-20 over Packers
-1 diploma (-23 wind chill)
Inexperienced Bay
Jan. 20, 2008
If the kickoff temperature drops all the way down to -1, then it’ll turn out to be one of many coldest video games of all-time. 
As chilly as it is going to be for the gamers, it is going to really feel even colder for the followers. Not solely is the temperature anticipated to be within the single digits all evening, however the wind chill is projected to be between -15 and -30 whereas the sport is being performed, so when you’re planning on attending this wild-card showdown, you higher bundle up. 
It doesn’t matter what the temperature finally ends up being, the Chiefs in all probability will not thoughts and that is as a result of they have an inclination to thrive within the chilly. Of their previous 10 house video games the place the temperature was underneath 40 levels, the Chiefs have gone 9-1, together with 4-0 within the playoffs.
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