Will Bears-Packers Game be Coldest in NFL History?

CHICAGO, IL — It's fitting that Sunday's game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers might turn out to be one of the coldest football games ever played, even if the players will be battling the elements at Soldier Field and not the "frozen tundra" of Lambeau Field.

As of Friday, AccuWeather meterologists are saying the Bears-Packers game — kickoff is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 — could be the coldest football game ever played in Chicago. Game temperatures are predicted to be near or below zero with winds around 10 to 15 mph. Although that might be what the meterological instruments read, it could feel as cold as 20 below zero, according to the weather service.

The reason for the Hoth-like conditions is due to an arctic air blast through the Midwest this weekend, AccuWeather says. The weather service warns fans attending the game to take the necessary precautions to deal with the potentially subzero conditions, such as wearing multiple layers and using hand and foot warmers.

Coincidentally, the NFL game that holds the current distinction of being Chicago's coldest since the league began recording such things in 1963 was a "Monday Night Football" Bears-Packers contest in December. On Dec. 22, 2008, Soldier Field's temperature at kickoff was 2 degrees, according to CNN. The Bears won in overtime, 20-17.

When factoring in wind chill, Chicago's coldest NFL game was Dec. 18, 1983, CNN reports. The high temperature for that day was 3 degrees, but conditions at game time felt like it was 15 below zero.

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The Bears' opponent that day? You guessed it, the Green Bay Packers. On this occasion, the Packers were the victors, 23-21.

Given Sunday's expected polar conditions, will this Bears-Packers matchup go down as the coldest in NFL history? Here are the top five coldest NFL games that Sunday's contest is competing against, according to NFL.com:

1. Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys, "The Ice Bowl" (Dec. 31, 1967)

• Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Temperature: -13 degrees with a wind chill of -48 degrees
• Who Won: Packers, 21-17

2. Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers, "Freezer Bowl" (Jan. 10, 1982)

• Where: Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Temperature: -9 degrees with a wind chill of -59 degrees
• Who Won: Bengals, 27-7

3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts, AFC Playoffs (Jan. 7, 1996)

• Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
• Temperature: -6 degrees
• Who Won: Colts, 10-7

4. Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders, "Red Right 88" (Jan. 4, 1981)

• Where: Municipal Stadium, Cleveland
• Temperature: -5 degrees
• Who Won: Raiders, 14-12

5. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants, NFC Championship Game (Jan. 20, 2008)

• Where: Lambeau Field
• Temperature: -4 degrees with a wind chill of -24 degrees
• Who Won: Giants in overtime, 23-20

YOUR TURN: Will Sunday's expected frigid weather conditions keep you from attending the Bears-Packers game? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

photos via Patch archive

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