December on the East Coast and in the Midwest usually means one thing: extreme cold. Though temperatures are dropping thanks to cold air making its way south from Canada, NFL games must go on, and a quite a few of them will be impacted by frigid temperatures in Week 15.
The coldest game of the week is expected to be the Chicago Bears vs. the Cleveland Browns. The game — which will take place in Chicago — has a high of 12, with a wind chill of -19, per Weather.com. While no snow is expected to fall during the game, winds could reach up to 22 mph. That could make for a run-heavy game, one people expect to see from the Bears on a cold December afternoon. The Browns, of course, are no strangers to freezing cold. It was an average of 25 in Cleveland on Saturday.
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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will need to battle the elements for yet another week. After playing a snow game against the Buffalo Bills last week, Burrow will battle extreme cold in Week 15. Temperatures in Cincinnati will hit a high of 13 with a wind chill of -11. After losing to the Bills last week, the 4-9 Bengals are dangerously close to being eliminated from the playoffs. The team needs a late-season rally, and some help if it wants to reach the postseason. Burrow will need to find a way to overcome the conditions in Week 15 after two key fourth-quarter turnovers sunk Cincinnati last week.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Temperatures will sit around 23 in Kansas City, though the wild chill is -5. Winds shouldn’t be too bad, topping out at 5-10 mph.
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At 6-7, the Chiefs also need to rally to secure a playoff spot. The team sits 10th in the AFC and could be eliminated from contention in Week 15 — though that’s dependent on the outcome of multiple games. While the Chiefs haven’t been a powerhouse this year, Patrick Mahomes is 26-7 in December over his career. If anyone can singlehandedly pull the Chiefs into the postseason, it’s Mahomes, who will need to do it against a the rival Chargers, who beat the Chiefs all the way back in Week 1.
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
The best NFL game of the week will be affected by poor weather. It’s a high of 33 in Foxborough, with a wind chill of 17. While the temperature won’t dip into the negative, snow could impact this one.
Snow is expected at least before the game and could continue into the contest. Weather.com is calling for light snow, so it might not throw either team too far off their game plans. And after enduring snow — and winning — in Week 14, the Bills are well-equipped to deal with the elements as they go on the road to take on the AFC East leader.
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One player doesn’t seem bothered by any of that. Wideout Mack Hollins arrived Sunday shirtless and shoeless as he prepares to take on the Bills.
Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
Snow is expected in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ahead of the Commanders-Giants game, though it should clear up around game time. Once the snow clears up, it won’t be a pleasant game. Temperatures will sit around 32, with a wind chill of 12. And winds will span from 13 to 17 mph at game time.
With both teams out of the playoffs, there’s not much on the line in the contest. Though you can bet both teams are eager to take down a division rival in freezing temperatures.
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Some early snow shouldn’t last into game time, though wind could be a factor. Winds are expected to be around 20 mph during game time. It will be a high of 34 in Philadelphia on Sunday, with a wind chill of 11. It won’t be the coldest game on the slate, but weather could still play a role.
After a rough week, the Eagles desperately need to overcome the elements and pick up a win in Week 15. While the team is in strong playoff position, there’s been some uneasiness about the Eagles’ season so far, with some asking whether the team should bench quarterback Jalen Hurts. That’s not a consideration now, or even if the Eagles lose this game, but the cries will get much, much louder if Philadelphia can’t overcome the 2-11 Raiders on Sunday.
