The winter months — characterized by short days and cold temperatures, opinions on the season vary greatly from person to person. For football fans though, the winter months bring on the potential for a very special tradition: a snowy football game.
Scenes of thick snow blanketing beloved football amphitheaters are engraved in the minds of all football fans. Cold temperatures and even the slightest snowfall seems to change the game entirely. Conditions in these games tend to make it harder to throw the ball, harder for runners to find traction and the hits sting even more.
It is not uncommon to see teams rely heavily on their run-game when the weather is snowy. As a result, gameplay almost appears archaic as if you’re watching a game from the days of leather helmets. Snow also tends to slow play down. Slower gameplay results in something unexpectedly beautiful. With the game moving in slow motion, it is much easier to see plays develop in real time.
With runners seeking traction, intense coordination is necessary. Taking time, avoiding defenders and searching for open space; plays look akin to a beautiful waltz. With such elegance by football standards, games look like they’re straight off of an old NFL Films’ highlight reel, only lacking the classic serenade of John Facenda’s voice.
Considering how loved these games are by football fans, it is no surprise that there have been some legendary classics played in the snow. One of the earliest significant snow games took place on the biggest stage: the 1934 NFL Championship Game. Nicknamed “The Sneakers Game,” the New York Giants notably traded their cleats for basketball sneakers for the game. Their shoe choice ultimately powered them to victory. They defeated the Chicago Bears 30-13.
Another championship snow classic came 14 years later, in the 1948 NFL Championship. In a rematch of the ‘47 championship, the Chicago Cardinals took on the Philadelphia Eagles in the title match.
The game was forecasted to have wet and snowy conditions, while the Cardinals were favored to win the match. The forecast turned out to be quite an understatement, as an “extreme blizzard” made for an intense game that would have been delayed by today’s standards. The Eagles’ Steve Van Buren scored the game’s lone touchdown, leading the Eagles to their first championship.
While some may expect snow games to be low-scoring, that is not always the case. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots made a statement that was hard to forget when they faced off against the Titans in the snow. With both teams wearing their American Football League throwback uniforms, New England went on to blow-out the Titans. The Patriots won the game 59-0, while Brady threw an NFL record six touchdowns in one quarter.
The Patriots were also involved in two other memorable snow games, both of which were filled with controversy. The 2001 AFC Championship Game between the Oakland Raiders and the Patriots has become infamously known as the “Tuck Rule Game” because of its contentious ending.
In the waning minutes of the game the Patriots were looking to put together a late drive to tie the game. Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson sacked Brady, apparently forcing a fumble. In a contentious ruling though, the tuck-rule was enforced, negating the Patriots’ turnover. New England, now with a second wind, tied the game with a field goal then earned the victory in overtime.
New England’s other controversial snowy match-up came in their week six game of the 1982-83 season. Playing the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots found themselves knotted at zero with only seconds remaining. The snowy conditions made it near impossible for either team to score but the Patriots’ coach, Ron Meyer, had a bold but controversial idea.
Using the stadium’s snowplow, the Patriots cleared snow off of the field, making space for their kicker. Converting the kick, New England won the game, 3-0, and famously enraged Dolphins head coach Don Shula.
To no one’s surprise, snow games are beloved and have contributed to some amazing classics outside of the NFL too. The Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League’s championship game is usually played in late November and is no stranger to snow. Most recently the 105th Grey Cup in Ottawa saw a thrilling game in heavy snow.
The 1950 rendition of “The Game” was played at Ohio Stadium in the midst of a blizzard. The drastic weather earned the match-up the deserving title of the “Snow Bowl.” Michigan famously won that match-up despite never earning a first down, punting 24 times, and not completing a pass, emphasizing the impact that snow can have on a game.
Throughout football’s extensive history the snow game has continued to hold a special place in fans’ hearts. From the beautiful visuals to the game-changing impacts that snow brings to the sport, it is hard to find something to dislike when it comes to snow games. The opportunity to watch a snow game always provides a unique experience that is difficult to pass up.
