NFL's Bad Weather Classics

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Dec 12, 2010

NFL's Bad Weather Classics

1967 NFL Championship Game

Football was made to be played in the elements, and few places host the elements like Green Bay, where the Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 on Bart Starr's 1-yard sneak with 13 seconds left in the legendary Ice Bowl. Referees' whistles froze in the -13 air that felt like -46 when the wind blew.

Dolphins vs. Patriots

Snow and the scrappy Patriots held the heavily-favored visiting Dolphins in a scoreless standstill until late in the fourth quarter. Then Pats head coach Ron Meyer asked a convict on work release to plow a spot on the field to improve the footing for John Smith, who booted the winning 33-yard field goal.

AFC Championship Game

It was a chilling experience for the San Diego Chargers in Cincinnati, where the game-time temperature was -9 degrees. The wind chill of -59, fed by gusts of up to 35 mph, caused cases of frostbite in the stands. The Bengals kept their cool and won 27-7.

Chiefs vs. Broncos

Denver may rightfully be called the home office for snow. In this game, the home town Broncos got buried by the Chiefs 21-7 despite the best efforts of quarterback John Elway and running back Aaron Craver.

NFC Divisional Playoff

With temperatures in the low 30s, a fog rolled in off Lake Michigan near the end of the first half. The field shrouded, the Bears passed only seven times as players and coaches struggled to see the action. When the fog finally lifted, the Bears had downed the Eagles 20-12.

NFC Divisional Game

Wind and heavy rain limited the Packers to 71 yards passing and 139 rushing, but Green Bay still soaked the visiting San Francisco 49ers 35-14.

AFC Divisional Playoff

It is said the Patriots dynasty was born in the cold, snow and swirling wind after Tom Brady's apparent fumble on the Oakland 42 was reversed on review in the final 1:43. Given new life, the Pats kept driving and tied the game on Adam Vinatieri's field goal. They beat the Raiders in overtime, 16-13.

Bills vs. Browns

With wind gusts up to 40 mph blowing snow sideways and visibility limited, throwing the ball was nearly impossible and both teams had to rely on their running games. But even that was tough as players struggled to get traction on the slippery, snow-covered surface.

Bills vs. Browns

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson celebrates his team's win in the NFL's first 8-0 game since 1929 by diving through the snow in the end zone.

NFC Divisional Playoff

Packers quarterback Brett Favre peers through typical Green Bay weather in search of an open receiver against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Favre threw for 173 yards and three TDs in the game.