Weather could provide Chiefs big advantage over Texans with Arctic Blast slated for AFC divisional round playoff game
Mother Nature could help the Kansas City Chiefs in their AFC divisional-round game against the Houston Texans. You might have heard that an Arctic Blast is about to hit the United States, bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the year across the country. That includes Kansas City, Missouri, where the upcoming AFC playoff game between […]
Mother Nature could help the Kansas City Chiefs in their AFC divisional-round game against the Houston Texans.
You might have heard that an Arctic Blast is about to hit the United States, bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the year across the country. That includes Kansas City, Missouri, where the upcoming AFC playoff game between the Chiefs and Texans will be played. When the game kicks off at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT, the latest forecasts say temperatures are expected to be around 24 degrees with a wind chill of around 12 degrees and wind gusts between 20-25 miles per hour.
That temperature is nothing compared to what the Chiefs faced in the playoffs last year. If you'll recall, the Chiefs faced the Miami Dolphins in an AFC wild-card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. According to NFL Game Statistics and Information, that game was -4 degrees at kickoff with a wind chill of -20 degrees. Those temperatures were good for the fourth-coldest game ever played in the history of the NFL. Kansas City, of course, bested Miami convincingly with a 27-6 win to punch their ticket to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Why do the cold temperatures matter, though?
Historically speaking, Texans QB C.J. Stroud has struggled in cold weather during his NFL career. He's played in just two games where the temperature has been below 30 degrees, and he's gone 0-2 in both of those games. One of those games? The Chiefs' 27-19 win over the Texans back in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season. The temperature at the kickoff of that game was 30 degrees with a wind chill of 25, according to NFL Game Statistics and Information. The other game occurred in last year's divisional round with a 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on the road. That game was 27 degrees with a 15-degree wind chill, according to NFL Game Statistics and information.
On the flip side, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who considers himself a "snow game guy," has a 9-1 overall record in the games that he has played below the 30-degree mark, with the lone loss coming to Tom Brady's Patriots in the AFC Championship Game in 2018-19.
The impact the weather could have on special teams, and the kicking game is a whole different ball game. Chiefs K Harrison Butker hasn't been flawless since returning from injury, but special teams coordinator Dave Toub insists the weather could prove to be an advantage for Kansas City.
"We've had a lot of weather games, and we do certain things, as far as, if it's gusty, we hold it and hold the snap," Toub told reporters on Wednesday. "There's all different things you can do, but we have a lot of experience kicking in cold weather, so we feel like that's an advantage for us."
Important fan information regarding frigid weather for the Chiefs-Texans playoff game:
If you're attending the game, the Chiefs have shared the following tips on staying warm.
- Stop by one of these warming stations:
- Exterior: Warming trailers will be available on the medians between lots C and D, F and G,, and at the southwest corner of Lot A.
- Interior: Nine warming stations will be located inside the stadium when the gates open:
- One at the bottom of each of the four Field Level spirals.
- Near the Jim Beam (north) and Crown Royal (south) bars located on the Upper Level.
- Near the Red Zones on the east and west sides of the Upper Level.
- Champions Tailgate North is located on Plaza Level near T-Mobile Gate.
- Bundle up with loose-fitting layers and cover all exposed skin.
- Guests may carry in blankets (without zippers or compartments), draped over their shoulder during the security screening process, cardboard no larger than 3’x5’, as well as portable chargers and non-dry cell batteries (both not larger than 6”x3”x1.5”) to power heated apparel. Battery packs must be disconnected during security inspection, may not have visual damage or imperfections, and may not use power adapters or other wiring modifications. Fans needing additional layers on-site may visit one of the many Pro Shop locations that will be stocked with warm apparel.
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