Top 10 NFL Weather Games | Weather.com
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Join us as we take a look back at the 10 biggest weather-impacted games in NFL history.

ByPatrick GriffinSeptember 4, 2025
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A member of the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders during a game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 8, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Football and weather are synonymous. Some of the most memorable games in the league’s history have been impacted by Mother Nature.

We’re talking blizzards, record temperatures (both high and low), torrential downpours and wild wind events. And now that football season is upon us, let’s get into the biggest weather impacts on the gridiron.

10:. The 'Tuck Rule' Game

Jan. 19, 2002, in Foxborough, Massachusetts

2001 AFC Divisional Playoff Game: Raiders vs. Patriots

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (C) takes a hit from Charles Woodson (R) of the Oakland Raiders on a pass attempt in the last two minutes of the game in their AFC playoff, Jan. 19, 2002, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 16-13 in overtime.

(Matt Campbell/AFP via Getty Images)

Without the Tuck Rule, we might not have the Patriots dynasty. And without the weather, we might not have the Tuck Rule. Both teams struggled in a heavy snowstorm that Saturday night. Four inches of fresh snow fell that day, with the heaviest snow falling during the game between 8 and 10 p.m. Combine the snow with temperatures in the mid- to upper 20s, and wind gusts up to 20 mph, and you had all of the elements for a sloppy playoff game.

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady loses the ball after being hit by the Oakland Raiders' Charles Woodson, right. The fumble was recovered by Greg Biekert, left, but it was ruled an incomplete pass, giving the Patriots another chance.

(Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Late in regulation, with the Patriots trailing, Tom Brady was hit by a blitzing Charles Woodson and apparently fumbled the ball, which could have sealed the victory for the Raiders. But after an official review, the play was ruled an incomplete pass.

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This weather map is from early the next morning. The dashed red line shows the path of the low-pressure system that formed the previous day and moved up the coast overnight. New England was on the cold side of the storm track, in a perfect position for significant snowfall. The yellow dot is Foxborough's location.

(National Weather Service)

Instead of turning the ball over with a fumble, the Patriots were able to score a touchdown, force overtime, then eventually win the game. Bill Belichick’s team ultimately won their first Super Bowl a few weeks later, the first of six championships and nine Super Bowl appearances from 2002 to 2019.

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The Patriots' Tom Brady celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown as the New England Patriots faced the Oakland Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 19, 2002.

(Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

9. The Blizzard Bowl

Dec. 8, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lions vs. Eagles

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Mychal Kendricks #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Joique Bell #35 of the Detroit Lions during a game on Dec. 8, 2013, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 34-20.

(Hunter Martin/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)

Forecasters had predicted some snow for the Week 14 matchup between the Lions and Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But snow began falling two hours before kickoff, and it only got heavier throughout the game. By the end of the day, 8.6 inches of snow was recorded in the city on that December Sunday, which accounted for over 75% of the city’s snowfall for the entire month.

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A member of the grounds crew uses a blower to clear the yard lines during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 8, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20.

(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Temperatures hovered around the freezing mark all game long, making conditions even harder for the players. Conditions were so poor that neither team attempted a field goal, and only one extra point was attempted, a miss by Lions kicker, and former Eagle, David Akers.

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LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 8, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 34-20.

(Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)

The one player who truly stood out was Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (more from McCoy ahead on the list), who set a then-franchise record with 217 rushing yards in the win. McCoy ran for 148 yards in the fourth quarter alone, including touchdowns of 40 and 57 yards.

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Bryce Brown #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions during a game on Dec. 8, 2013, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 34-20.

(Hunter Martin/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, 100 miles away in Baltimore, snow was an issue early for the matchup between the Vikings and Ravens. But after it cleared out, a flurry of scores (five touchdowns over the last 125 seconds) culminated in a wild win for the Ravens.

8. The Tsunami/Monsoon Bowl

Sept. 25, 2011, in Charlotte, North Carolina

Panthers vs. Jaguars

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Darius Butler #27 of the Carolina Panthers gets up from the wet turf during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 25, 2011, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

This game was so nasty, it picked up two names — the Tsunami Bowl and the Monsoon Bowl. The game started like any other, but quickly turned ugly once things got underway. Over 4 inches of rain dumped on the stadium in less than an hour. The stadium steps turned into waterfalls, and the field transformed into a soggy mud pit.

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Rain falls on the field during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 25, 2011, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The conditions were so bad that the Jaguars had five fumbles on the afternoon, but somehow recovered all five. In fact, there was only one turnover during the game, as Blaine Gabbert was picked off by Sherrod Martin just after the rain started to fall.

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Paul Posluszny #51 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Jeremy Shockey #80 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 25, 2011, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

In the end, Cam Newton and the Panthers escaped with the win, 16-10.

7. The Philly Blizzard

Dec. 19, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1948 NFL Championship Game: Cardinals vs. Eagles

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Philadelphia Eagles' Steve Van Buren (L) runs the ball down the field during a playoff game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 19, 1948.

(Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

We are going way back in time for No. 7, all the way to the 1948 NFL Championship game at Shibe Park in Philadelphia between the Eagles and the Chicago Cardinals. It was marred by a heavy snowstorm, with 7 inches of snow falling during the game. The visibility was so bad that you could not see the goal posts from the 50-yard line because of the driving snow.

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Members of the Chicago Cardinals help the maintenance men clear away the heavy snow (which delayed the game by a half-hour) before the 1948 NFL Championship Game, a 7-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 19, 1948, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Tim Culek/Getty Images)

In fact, the game started 30 minutes late because the players needed to help pull the snow-laden tarp off the field. This was the first NFL championship game to be televised, and the stadium lights needed to stay on all game to help with visibility, even though the kickoff happened at 2 p.m. Thanks to a touchdown run by Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren, the Eagles won their first title with the low score of 7-0.

(MORE: The Top 10 Major League Baseball Weather Games)

6. The 'Pickle Juice' Game

Sept. 3, 2000, in Dallas, Texas

Eagles vs. Cowboys

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Joey Galloway #84 of the Dallas Cowboys is carried off the field with a season-ending injury during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 41-14.

(Ronald Martinez/Allsport/Getty Images)

The season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in 2000 is the hottest NFL game on record. The high temperature in Dallas that September day was 109 degrees, and the field temperature measured as high as 130.

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Duce Staley #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball up the field during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 41-14.

(Ronald Martinez/Allsport/Getty Images)

The Eagles famously utilized pickle juice during the game to prevent cramping. It worked, as Duce Staley (who ran for more than 200 yards on the afternoon) and company routed their division rivals 41-14.

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Jeff Thompson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 41-14.

(Ronald Martinez/Allsport/Getty Images)

Eight years later, in 2008, Brigham Young University did a study which confirmed that pickle juice can indeed help stop muscle cramps. Philly head coach Andy Reid was really ahead of his time.

5. The Snow Bowl

Dec. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, New York

Colts vs. Bills

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Deonte Thompson of the Buffalo Bills makes a first-down reception during overtime against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field on Dec. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeated Indianapolis in overtime, 13-7.

(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Highmark Stadium (known as New Era Field at the time) in Buffalo, New York, is no stranger to snow games. So you know when a game there is labeled “The Snow Bowl,” a boatload of snow must have fallen during the game. 2017’s Week 13 matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills truly stands out, even for the Bills Mafia faithful.

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Shirtless fans cheer during the fourth quarter of a game between the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 10, 2017, at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York.

(Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

A lake-effect snow event hit the Buffalo area that weekend. 16.7 inches of snow dumped on Orchard Park from Dec. 10 to 11, with 8 to 9 inches of snow during the game alone.

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LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter on Dec. 10, 2017, at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York.

(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Because of the snow, the two teams turned to the running game, combining for 97 rushing attempts and 390 yards on the day. Bills running back LeSean McCoy ran the ball 32 times for 156 yards and the game-winning touchdown in “Snowvertime” to give Buffalo the 13-7 win, which would ultimately help the franchise snap a 17-year playoff drought.

A weather map showing lake-effect snowfall totals for western New York

The Dec. 10-11, 2017, lake-effect snow event.

(National Weather Service)

4. The Mud Bowl

Dec. 26, 1977, in Los Angeles, California

1977 NFC Divisional Playoff Game: Vikings vs. Rams

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Vikings QB Bob Lee calls a play during a rainstorm at an NFC Playoff Game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 26, 1977, in Los Angeles, California.

(Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

This was the fourth playoff matchup between the Vikings and Rams, with the Vikings winning the previous three games in the Minnesota cold. But this was the Rams' time for revenge, hosting in what could have, should have, been sunny Southern California.

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Vikings QB Bob Lee during a rainstorm at an NFC Playoff Game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 26, 1977, in Los Angeles, California.

(Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

But the weather gods were not smiling on the Rams. A torrential rainstorm hit, dropping 1.2 inches of rain that day in Los Angeles, after about a third of an inch fell the day before. This made for extraordinarily sloppy conditions on the field, and ultimately a low-scoring affair.

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Vikings RB Chuck Foreman breaks free on a run play during a rainstorm at the NFC Playoff Game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 26, 1977, in Los Angeles, California.

(Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

The Rams turned the ball over three times, while the Vikings did not commit a turnover. Vikings running back Chuck Foreman controlled the game with 31 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown, as the Vikings beat the Rams 14-7.

3. The Freezer Bowl

Jan. 10, 1982, in Cincinnati, Ohio

1981 AFC Championship Game: Chargers vs. Bengals

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, left, reacts as San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts, right, looks dejected after the Bengals defeated the Chargers in the AFC championship in Cincinnati on Jan. 10, 1982. Fouts was intercepted twice in the game, and Anderson passed for two touchdowns and no interceptions.

(AP Photo)

Playoff games, in general, are cold. But the 1981 AFC Championship Game was next-level cold.

A large and deepening longwave trough over central and eastern North America allowed for a strong Arctic airmass over Canada to plunge southward across the upper Midwest on Jan. 8. During the game in Cincinnati, temperatures dropped to minus 9 degrees.

Pair that with winds blowing in excess of 50 mph, and you have the coldest wind chills ever recorded in an NFL game. Wind chills dropped to minus 59 degrees, with fans' beer literally freezing in their cups.

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Pete Johnson #46 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers during the AFC Conference Championship Game on Jan. 10, 1982, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

As for the game, the Bengals were able to (with the help of the brutal wind) hold the vaunted Chargers' offense to just one score, winning 27-7. With the win, the Bengals advanced to Super Bowl XVI, where they eventually lost to the San Francisco 49ers. That game was played in the Pontiac Silverdome, which nullified Detroit’s high temperature of 16 degrees, which would have easily been the coldest Super Bowl of all time.

2. The Fog Bowl

Dec. 31, 1988, in Chicago

1988 NFL Divisional Playoff Game: Eagles vs. Bears

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The Philadelphia Eagles play in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 31, 1988, in Chicago.

(Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)

1988’s playoff matchup in Chicago between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears started under clear blue skies. But by the time halftime rolled around, a dense fog had done the same from Lake Michigan.

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A Playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Bears won the game, 20-12.

(Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)

This led to visibility issues for both the players and the fans. In fact, visibility dropped to under 20 yards, making it impossible for fans and announcers to actually see what was happening on the field.

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A Playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Bears won the game, 20-12.

(Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)

Both teams combined for 26 points in the first half before the fog hit the stadium. Afterward, only six points were scored during the fog-covered second half. Despite over 400 yards of passing by Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, the Bears' defense was able to keep the Eagles out of the end zone. The Bears prevailed with the 20-12 victory.

1. The Ice Bowl

Dec. 31, 1967, in Green Bay, Wisconsin

1967 NFL Championship Game: Cowboys vs. Packers

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In minus-14-degree weather, the Green Bay Packer faithful cheer on their team at Lambeau Field in the 1967 NFL Championship Game.

(Getty Images)

The 1967 NFL Championship Game between the Cowboys and Packers is in a class of its own. The coldest game in NFL history, the kickoff temperature at Lambeau Field was minus 13 degrees. Wind chills dropped to nearly minus 40.

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Anyone who comes out in minus 14 degrees has to have some originality, like these folks sporting their cold-weather attire of a most unusual nature. Why did the brave souls venture forth into the frozen air? To watch the Green Bay Packers defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, of course. Can you think of a better reason? It was the Packers' third straight NFL championship.

(Getty Images)

It was so cold that the officials were forced to stop using their whistles after the opening kickoff, because the metal literally froze to their lips. Instead, they changed to voice commands for the rest of the game.

Several players were treated during the game for frostbite, and one fan died from hypothermia.

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An official signals touchdown as Packers' Bart Starr (15) plunges for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Championship Game with Dallas, Dec. 31, 1967.

(Getty Images)

In the end, this game became one of the most legendary contests in NFL history, culminating with “The Drive” by the Packers late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bart Starr famously finished off the 68-yard drive over the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field with a short touchdown dive to give the Packers the 21-17 win.

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Surface weather chart on Dec. 31, 1967. Click the image for larger view.

(National Weather Service)

Green Bay went on to win the second-ever AFL-NFL World Championship Game (now known as Super Bowl II) two weeks later over the Oakland Raiders.

Honorable Mention: Purple Rain In The Rain

Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami Gardens, Florida

Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show: Colts vs. Bears

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Prince performs during the "Pepsi Halftime Show" at Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears on Feb. 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

(Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Prince’s performance during halftime at Super Bowl XLI in Miami is generally regarded as one of, if not the most iconic, halftime performances in Super Bowl history. The roughly 12-minute show arguably outperformed the actual game and was highlighted by his performance of “Purple Rain” during a driving rainstorm.

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Prince performs during the "Pepsi Halftime Show" at Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears on Feb. 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

(Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

According to the National Weather Service, the Miami area received 0.92 inches of rain that day, which was the most rain for any single day of that month.