In American football, like in no other professional sport, the weather can become a deciding factor during a game. Because of the time of year, this is not true in the playoffs when colder temperatures, snow and wind appear.
For this year's wild card round, the battle between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs May be A cool one Historically, the wind chill is expected to be as low as 27 degrees Celsius below zero.
Drama in weather and countryside
Some of the most memorable and spectacular games in NFL playoff history have been played in tough situations. These are some of the most memorable ones.
1967 NFL Championship Game: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Known in NFL folklore as the “Ice Bowl,” the Cowboys and Packers faced off for the league title and what eventually became known as Super Bowl 2 hung in the balance in Perth. The thermometer reached 44 degrees below zero.
It was so cold that the heating system in the field exploded, turning the field into a giant ice rink. When starting the game, The referee's whistle stuck to his lipsSo the rest of the game was signaled by voices instead of whistles.
The matchup was a classic, with the Packers winning individually 21-17 Bart Starr At the last minute, Vince Lombardi was awarded his last NFL championship.
1981 AFC Championship Game: San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals
Another game with a special name. is the “freezer bowl”. Considered the coldest match in history With a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius below zero. Interestingly, Forrest Gregg, head coach of the Bengals, was part of the Packers that played in the “Ice Bowl”.
There wasn't much drama on the field, and Cincinnati dominated from start to finish, going 27-7 to reach its first Super Bowl. The Chargers defeated the Miami Dolphins as a visitor in the divisional playoffs a week ago in a game played in 31 degrees Celsius.
2015 NFC Wild Card Game: Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings
The controversial 31-degree-below-zero wind chill for the new Vikings stadium at the University of Minnesota's TFC Bank Stadium. The Seahawks rallied from a 9-point deficit in the fourth quarter, and Blair Walsh missed a field goal for the win.
2007 NFC Championship Game: New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers
What will be the last game? Brett Favre Along with the Packers, Coughlin's Giants won 23-20. The Packers tied the game with a field goal in the fourth quarter, but they didn't find a happy ending in those playoffs.
Corey Webster intercepted Favre's last pass, wearing Pack colors, and Lawrence Dines kicked the winning field goal in a 31-degree wind below zero. Two weeks later, the Giants won the title after surprising the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
1988 NFC Divisional Game: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears
In this case it wasn't the high temperatures, but the fog, giving the game the name “Bowl of Fog”. Chicago beat the Eagles 20-12 on New Year's Day In the best game anyone has ever seen. Visibility was so compromised that coaches and players on the bench could not see what was happening in the middle of the field.
Disorders of cold
Needless to say, playing in the cold complicates everything. At lower temperatures, you lose your grip on the ball and it feels cold and heavy. For kickers it's like hitting a stone.
When running, the field becomes more slippery, and if there is snow or rain, traction is further reduced. Players resist further contact, adding the factor to take into account in high-impact collisions.
Statistically, Efficiency of passers and kickers decreases by 2 percent, according to the Weatherstem.com portal. Punts, meanwhile, drop an average of 3 yards.
What do soldiers do against the cold?
Adjusting to this type of inclement weather is not easy, however, certain factors can help. The teams have heated benches and air heaters, which help players leave the field to keep their bodies at a good temperature and reduce the risk of muscle injuries.
Tom Brady wore scuba gear under his uniform. Other players apply Vaseline to exposed areas such as their hands and face. Petroleum jelly is also used on the hands. Doctors also recommend hot drinks for hydration.
The most important parts to protect are the hands and feet, which freeze very easily. There are boxes on the benches to warm your feet. Additionally, players may wear hand warmers on their uniforms. Another method is to grind chillies and put the powder on your shoes.
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