Posts Tagged ‘Cold weather’

The NFL Playoffs used to mark the most brutal match-ups in the most brutal weather.  The Green Bay Packers hosted games at Lambeau Field that transformed into “The Frozen Tundra” during the post season.   In Chicago opposing teams would often face a tough Bears defense with below zero wind chills and violent hits.  The Pittsburgh Steelers and that rock solid field put teams through a test of wills with the vaunted “Steel Curtain” defense and the harsh Pittsburgh weather.   The bitter cold at Foxborough “Foxboro”  Stadium, got the better of the Indianapolis Colts throughout the 2000’s as Manning’s invisible offense was neutralized in the arctic temperatures in New England.

It was a different time as talent was tested against the freezing temperatures.  Skills were put aside for who could outlast the other and make the fewest mistakes in a more conservative test of wills.  The losers were criticized for not being able to play amongst the elements and the winners were heralded as men among boys.  Team identities were forged and reputations were manufactured as the game took on a more meaningful role in the battle of true toughness.

This weekend however, during the NFL’s Divisional Playoff round, the identities of old were put to rest as three teams saw a very different scenario laid out.  The New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts & Minnesota Vikings all hosted games played in domes, becoming the new face of the NFL playoffs.  These dome games came complete with temperature control and heat settings capturing crowd noise that all but made this year’s playoffs seem foreign.

Adding to that is the fact that each dome team actually won and all did it in fairly impressive fashion.   It all made me wonder…is this really the NFL playoffs anymore?  I guess matching talent for talent and skill set up against each other looks good on the surface, playing in ideal circumstances similar to that of the Super Bowl sure is entertaining, but when you look deeper it really was quite disappointing.

The Arizona Cardinals never had a chance as the Saints ran up and down the field on them in a blowout 45 – 14.  Over in Indianapolis the Baltimore Ravens never found the end zone in a less offensive beat down, as they fell 20 – 3 to the Colts.  And possibly the worst loss of the weekend came in Minnesota where the Dallas Cowboys lost the turnover battle and never seemed to find their groove allowing Brett Favre’s Vikings to run rampant in a 34 – 3 clobbering.

Sure every HOME DOME team won except the San Diego Chargers who hosted the New York Jets in none other than sunny California. The Jets sneaked out a 17 -14 win at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers held the lead for three quarters and  if not for three missed field goals by Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding, we would be talking about a Phillip Rivers vs Peyton Manning AFC Championship game. Dome teams are now the face of dominance in the NFL. and its one that is killing the sport that I love. No more frozen tundra and footballs that feel like bricks.  Temperature controlled “havens” are what we’re forced to hang our hats on as fans.  Seriously no thank you!

In 2007, the New York Giants visited Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship game.  There to greet them was the “King of Cold” himself, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers were ready for a showdown in which they felt they had the edge based on the weather.  Temperatures in that game got as low as -4 in what many called “football weather.”  The picture of Giants head coach Tom Coughlin with frost bite on his cheeks is seared in the minds of football fans across the world after that day.  The Giants beat the Packers in that game as quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Plaxico Burress, went up against one of the league’s best bump and run cornerbacks Al Harris.   Burress and Manning had one of their best games together and their bond was made stronger as a result.  These are the statements only games played outdoors where football was created to be played in are made.

And It’s that kind of statement that was missing from this weekend’s games.  I’m not blaming the players or teams for how the season played out, but these NFL playoffs were lacking the very fabric that makes this game what it is today.  Talent matched with talent is great but talent matched with talent and freezing temperatures is what makes this game phenomenal.

(Image Sources: Burress, Coughlin, Foxborough, Lambeau)

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to MY editor MKRob who oversees the overseer. LOL  He’s the someone who’s responsible for the eyes and eyes of THE eyes and ears…and is the best at correcting my many mistakes and keeping me honest.