Full Breakdown
The Coldest NFL Playoff Games in History
1/17/2026, 8:35:08 AM
Overview of the Coldest Games
The National Football League (NFL) has seen its share of frigid playoff games, with several notable matchups etched in history due to extreme temperatures. As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, where temperatures may drop to 2 degrees Fahrenheit, this game will not rank among the coldest in NFL playoff history.
Historical Coldest Games
The coldest NFL playoff game on record is the "Ice Bowl," played on December 31, 1967, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. During this championship game, temperatures plummeted to minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill factor of minus 48. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17, with quarterback Bart Starr leading a last-minute drive for the winning touchdown.
Another significant cold-weather game occurred on January 10, 1982, known as "The Freezer Bowl," where the San Diego Chargers faced the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium. The temperature reached minus 9 degrees (wind chill: minus 59), and the Bengals won decisively, 27-7, while the Chargers struggled with four fumbles.
The NFC wild-card game on January 10, 2016, between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis also featured extreme cold, with temperatures at minus 6 degrees (wind chill: minus 25). The Seahawks narrowly won 10-9, aided by a missed field goal from the Vikings.
Recent Cold Weather Matchup
In a more recent playoff game, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Miami Dolphins on January 24, 2024, at Arrowhead Stadium, where temperatures dipped to minus 1 degree (wind chill: minus 23). Despite the cold, the Chiefs emerged victorious with a score of 26-7. Notably, Kansas City coach Andy Reid's mustache froze during the game, highlighting the extreme conditions.
Notable Mentions
Other cold playoff games include the NFC Championship Game on January 20, 2008, at Lambeau Field, where the New York Giants defeated the Packers 23-20 in temperatures of zero degrees (wind chill: minus 32). Additionally, the 1994 AFC divisional game at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, New York, remains the coldest game in Bills history, with temperatures at zero degrees, leading to a 29-23 victory for the Bills.
Conclusion
As the Rams and Bears prepare for their upcoming game, they will join the ranks of teams that have braved the cold in NFL playoff history. While the expected temperatures may be low, they will not reach the extremes seen in these historic matchups, which have become legendary for their brutal conditions and memorable performances.
