If you’re heading to Denver for today’s AFC Championship clash between the Broncos and Patriots, bundle up-this one’s going to be a cold-weather slugfest. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
ET (1 p.m. local time), and while the sun will be out, don’t let that fool you. At game time, temperatures will hover around 25 degrees, but with the wind chill, it’ll feel closer to 16.
And as the game wears on, conditions will only get colder and potentially snowier.
By the fourth quarter, we’re looking at temps around 20 degrees with a real feel of just 6. There’s an 80% chance of snow and winds could gust up to 20 miles per hour.
One inch of snow is in the forecast, and while that might not sound like much, it’s enough to change how this game is played-especially in the air and on special teams. The sun will stick around until sunset at 5:11 p.m., which might offer a bit of psychological warmth, but physically?
It’s going to be a grind.
Now, let’s talk football and how this weather could shape the outcome.
Cold weather doesn’t just make it uncomfortable-it changes the game. A 12 mph wind on its own might not seem like a huge factor, but if snow starts falling and visibility drops, it becomes a different story altogether.
The ball gets slicker, footing becomes less reliable, and decision-making has to be quicker and sharper. And when it comes to special teams, cold air is denser, which adds resistance and makes long field goals more difficult.
That said, Denver’s high altitude can offset some of that, giving kickers a little extra distance-if they can handle the cold.
Few people know what it’s like to kick in these conditions better than Adam Vinatieri, who’s serving as New England’s honorary captain today. The four-time Super Bowl champ famously thrived in brutal weather, including his iconic snow kick in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round.
He’s described kicking in the cold as “like kicking a brick,” and he’s not exaggerating. The ball hardens, the margin for error shrinks, and even the best kickers can struggle.
For the Patriots, ball security is going to be paramount. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has been electric at times this postseason, but he’s also coughed up the ball six times in two games.
In conditions like these, where the ball is slick and hands are numb, protecting possession becomes even more critical. One bad snap, one mistimed handoff, or one fumbled scramble could swing the game.
And don’t underestimate how cold can impact the passing game. The denser air makes the ball harder to throw with velocity, and receivers have to fight through stinging hands and frozen turf.
We’ve seen it before-remember that 2024 playoff game between the Chiefs and Dolphins? The temperature was -4, and it showed.
Patrick Mahomes had a piece of his helmet snap off after a hit, and Andy Reid’s mustache literally froze. That’s the kind of weather that tests toughness as much as talent.
The good news? Both Denver and New England are no strangers to the cold.
This isn’t a warm-weather team flying into a frozen nightmare. These squads are built for this.
Still, history leans in Denver’s favor. The Patriots are 0-4 all-time in playoff games at Mile High.
Of course, the last time these teams met in the postseason was a decade ago, and the rosters have turned over completely since then. So while the past offers context, it won’t decide today’s outcome.
Meanwhile, over in the NFC, it’s a different story entirely. Seattle will host the Rams in a game that feels downright tropical by comparison.
Kickoff temps are expected to be around 44 degrees with sunshine and minimal wind. It might dip into the upper 30s by the second half, but compared to Denver, that’s practically a beach day.
The AFC Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
The NFC title game follows at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox.
One game will be a battle through the elements, the other a cleaner, more traditional showdown. Either way, by the end of the night, we’ll know who’s heading to Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara.