As winter’s icy grip begins to tighten its hold, the NFL may see its first snow game of the season in Week 8.
The upcoming matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, scheduled to take place at Empower Field at Mile High, is poised to be a spectacle of nature’s fury, with weather reports predicting a substantial snowfall of six to fourteen inches.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the game will be played in frigid conditions, with temperatures expected to fluctuate between a high of 29 degrees and a bone-chilling low of 13 degrees.
This early snowfall is a rarity in the NFL, as it’s still only October, and few games have been affected by inclement weather this season.
A recent Browns-49ers game experienced rain, but snow is a different beast altogether.
Over the past couple of decades, the league has seen an increase in domed stadiums, offering shelter from the elements to teams like the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
However, some franchises still contend with the capricious weather late in the season, including the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Broncos, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers.
The impending snowfall is likely to have a significant impact on the game, potentially leading to a low-scoring contest between these division rivals.
In their recent matchup, the Chiefs and Broncos managed only a modest 19-8 score.
The snow could not only impede offensive plays but also prompt coaches Sean Payton and Andy Reid to adopt more conservative game strategies.
Surprisingly, despite the weather forecast, the over/under for the game remains in the 46-47 range.
It will be intriguing to observe whether this changes as game day approaches and the snowy conditions become a reality.