NFL's 10 Coldest and Snowiest Games of All Time

The Dolphins completed just two drives that went for more than 29 yards as the cold certainly didn’t help their chances against the defending Super Bowl champions. Kansas City rolled, 26-7, in the AFC wild-card game. The Chiefs would go on to win a second straight title.

3. Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings: Jan. 10, 2016 

• -6 degrees, feels like -25 degrees

The first of three straight playoff games on this list, the Seahawks’ and Vikings’ offenses slugged through the below-zero temperatures in this NFC wild-card game. Seattle managed 226 yards and Minnesota picked up only 183 in what must have been the world’s coldest pillow fight, a 10-9 Seahawks win.

2. San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals: Jan. 10, 1982 

• -9 degrees, feels like -59 degrees

When it comes to how it actually felt outside, nothing tops the Chargers at Bengals in ‘82. San Diego clearly wasn’t used to playing in such cold temperatures, but what made it worse for the Chargers was that this game was played for the AFC Championship.

The weather played havoc with the visitors who committed four turnovers and gave up 318 yards to the comfortable Bengals, who advanced to the Super Bowl with a 27-7 win.

1. Cowboys at Packers: Dec. 31, 1967 

• -13 degrees, feels like -48 degrees

No other game in NFL history has reached negative double-digit temperatures and the ‘67 NFL Championship is affectionately referred to as the Ice Bowl.

And much like the Chargers-Bengals tilt, the team more used to the cold came through as the Packers dispatched the Cowboys to earn a spot in Super Bowl II.

5 of the Greatest Snow Games in NFL History

5. Dolphins at Cowboys: Nov. 25, 1993

One of the first Thanksgiving Day games in this writer’s memory, but less because I was super young (I was nine) and more because “Snow in Texas? It’s November! What the heck?!”

Plus, Leon Lett’s infamous touch of a blocked field goal that made the ball live again led to the Dolphins pulling a stunner.

4. Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots: Dec. 12, 1982

The ice is what made this particular game most memorable as a rainstorm the night before made the field at Schaefer Stadium almost unplayable. Then a snowstorm hit in the middle of the game.

With 4:45 left in the fourth quarter of a scoreless game, a snow-plow was called on to create space for Patriots kicker John Smith to attempt a field goal. He made it and the Patriots intercepted Miami on the final play to end things.

3. Seahawks at Packers: Jan. 12, 2008

Famously called “The Snow Globe Game,” this NFC Divisional Playoff game didn’t feature inept offenses, as is often the case in wintry conditions. After trailing 14-0, the Packers won 42-20 in this, the last game Brett Favre ever won in a Green Bay uniform.

2. Raiders at Patriots: Jan. 19, 2002

The “Tuck Rule” game. Tom Brady fumbled and the Raiders recovered. They should have won. Instead, after video review, it was determined Brady didn’t fumble because of the tuck rule. The Pats won the AFC Divisional Playoff game and, a few weeks later, the Super Bowl. 

1. Chicago Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles, Dec. 19, 1948

Snow fell so hard that day that the players had to help remove the tarp from the field. Three extra officials were brought in just to help determine out-of-bounds calls. Stadium lights were on the whole game despite it being played in the day.

All this and it was one of the earliest NFL championship games ever broadcast. The Eagles won with a fourth-quarter touchdown, 7-0.