Chicago Bears to Battle Bitter Cold and Bitter Rivals
The Chicago Bears could possibly play in the coldest game ever in team history on Sunday when they square off with their biggest rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from soon-to-be BGO contributor Alexis Wainwright. While her credentials are being set up, we didn’t want to miss this post about Sunday’s matchup.
Being in Chicago, the Bears have faced several cold-weather games at Soldier Field but as the Bears are scheduled to face the Packers on Sunday, this may be the coldest game ever played at their stadium. The Bears can make history simply by playing on their home field this weekend.
The record for their coldest home game was 2 degrees with a wind chill of-13 against the Packers on Monday, December 22, 2008. The second coldest was 3 degrees also against the Packers, in December 1983.
Severe weather alerts have been issued in the Chicago area all week and the temperatures continue to plummet into the weekend. Another winter weather advisory has been issued until early Sunday for arctic weather. With the forecast calling for a temperature of 1 degree below zero with awind chill of -10 to -30 the Bears could break record for the coldest game ever played at Solider Field.
According to the National Weather Service, winds will be10-15 mph contributing to the below zero temperatures. So if the forecasts are correct, kickoff against the Packers on Sunday at noon Central time will be the coldest game ever-played in Chicago.
The Bears are practicing outside in order to prepare for the “Bear” weather on Sunday. The game could also make one of the top 10 games on record for coldest games in the NFL.mmAccording to SB Nation, the top 10 coldest games in NFL history are:
1. 12/31/1967 Lamebau Field Packers vs. Cowboys -13 (wind chill -48)
2. 1/10/1982 Paul Brown Stadium Chargers vs. Bengals -9 (wind chill -59)
3. 1/7/1995 Arrowhead Stadium Colts vs. Chiefs -6 wind chill -15)
4. 1/4/1981 First Energy Stadium Raiders vs. Browns -5 (wind chill -20)
5. 1/20/2008 Lamebau Field Packers vs. Giants -4 (wind chill -24)
6. 12/3/1971 Metropolitan Stadium Vikings vs. Bears -2 (wind chill -26)
7. 1/15/1994 New Era Field Raiders vs. Bills 0 (wind chill -32)
8. 12/26/1993 Lamebau Field Raiders vs. Packers 0 (wind chill -20)
9. 12/10/1972 Metropolitan Stadium Vikings vs. Packers 0 (wind chill -18)
10. 12/22/1972 Lamebau Field Lions vs. Packers 2 (wind chill -16)
The game that takes the record for the coldest game played in NFL history was between Dallas and Green Bay, the 1976 “Ice Bowl” championship game. During the game temperatures were -13 degrees at Lambeau Field and the wind chill was-48 degrees.
The weather could also be a challenge for Packer’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers who has been battling with calf and hamstring injuries. Colder weather makes it harder to keep muscles loose but will this be enough to give the Bears a possible win? Probably not because the 3-10 team continues to struggle after giving up a 10-point lead in fourth quarter to the top team in their division, the Detroit Lions.
The Packers are on a three-game winning streak after they pummeled the Seahawks. Green Bay isn’t a stranger to the arctic weather either, so the weather could work in either’s favor. Weather will also play a factor with attendance at Solider Field. The Bears have witnessed attendance drop throughout the season, but this gives another reason for fans to stay at home. Game tickets are as low as $39 on Stub Hub and $115 on Ticketmaster.