We’re well into December in the 2019 NFL season and the weather in many NFL cities has changed for the worst. Unless you’re playing in California, Florida, or a domed stadium, inclimate weather is likely going to be a factor this month and into January if you’re lucky enough to make the playoffs. It’s always fun to see what cold weather outdoor teams are going to host games in January. Why? Because arguably the most fun games to watch in the NFL are snow games. There’s something about being all warm and cozy on your couch (or local watering hole) watching football players run around and slip and slide in the snow, pretending they aren’t cold.
There have been some great snow games over the years, so let’s take a look at five of the best.
5. Chicago Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles - December 19, 1948
We’re going decidedly analog with this one. This was the NFL championship game, and is notable for being the first NFL championship to be televised. Television in 1948 was still a very young medium, and the warts showed. The “snow” people saw usually had nothing to do with the weather, but this time it snowed for real. In fact, it was so bad that the grounds crew needed help from players on both teams to remove the tarp since the snowfall was so heavy. Without all of the advanced cold-weather gear that football players have today, these guys playing in this game had to have been absolutely miserable.
4. Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles - December 15, 1968
This one is here for the sole reason that it made me laugh. The ‘68 Eagles came into this game 2-11, just an abysmal team. But it’s almost Christmas, right?! What better way to get everyone into the Christmas spirit than by planning a big Christmas pageant and celebration at halftime? Well, Mother Nature had a different idea and the pageant was scrapped because of all the snow. In their divine wisdom, the powers that be saw a fan dressed as Santa Claus in the stands and had him run onto the field with the cheerleaders. Bad idea. Philly fans booed him and threw snowballs at him. “And thus a tradition was born...” Philly lost this game to end their season 2-12.
3. Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - December 12, 1982
This one makes the list simply for the fact that it shows the Patriots “bending” the rules way before Spy and Deflate “gates”. In this game, the Steve Grogan-led Patriots drove down into field goal range, and sent in kicker John Smith (real name) to win it on a 33-yarder. They also sent in real life convict Mark Henderson (on a work-release program at the time) on a snow plow to make the kicking area nice and snow-free for Smith. The rest is history. Smith made the kick and the Dolphins head coach Don Shula flipped out. The Patriots won 3-0, and this game staked its place in the annals asThe Snow Plow Game”.
2. Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys - November 25, 1993
Thanksgiving! Snow! In Dallas! Wait, what? Yes, in a rare snowy football game in Dallas, Texas, the Cowboys led the Dolphins 14-13 with just seconds remaining. The Dolphins set up for a game-winning 40-yard field goal but it was blocked. Instead of letting the ball just roll away untouched, Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett tried to jump on it but couldn’t quite control the ball. Touching the ball made it live, the Dolphins recovered it and then proceeded to kick the field goal again, this time making it and winning the game.
1. Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots - January 19, 2002
Finally, a snow game with some serious stakes. This Divisional Round playoff game not only impacted that year’s Super Bowl, but also set the tone for the dominance of the modern day New England Patriots.The moment that people still talk about to this day is when Tom Brady was hit from behind by Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson, fumbling the ball and sealing the win for the Raiders--and saving all of humanity from insufferable Patriots fans, at least for another season or two. But, alas, that result did not happen. Instead, a video review ridiculously overturned the clear fumble on the basis of the “Tuck Rule” (a rule nobody had ever heard of). The Patriots went on to win the game 16-13 and then their first Super Bowl soon after. This rule was abolished 11 years later.
Let’s hope for some more memorable snow games in the few remaining weeks of the 2019 regular season and into the playoffs. Be sure to visit Sportsbook NJ to place a wager, and the Sportsbook NJ blog for more NFL betting tips and articles. Have another snow game you think is better? Hit us up on Twitter at @888sportusa
*Credit to the main photo of this article belongs to Associated Press/Elise Amendola