The 5 coldest games in NFL history

By Cody Rivera | Jan 17, 2019

Oakland Raiders cornerback Lester Hayes has the football after intercepting a pass during the Raiders 14-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the 1980 AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 4, 1981 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Dennis Collins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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7 Jan 1996: RUNNING BACK LAMONT WARREN #21 OF THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS MAKES A CUT TO THE OUTSIDE AND TURNS UP FIELD DURING THE COLTS 10-7 AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF VICTORY OVER THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM IN KANSAS CITY, MISOURI. /

4. Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs — Jan. 7, 1996

As are most games with subzero temperatures, this AFC divisional matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium was an extremely low-scoring affair. Contrary to what happened when these teams met in this year’s playoffs, the Colts prevailed with a 10-7 win over the Chiefs amidst temperatures of -6 degrees.

It was considered a pretty heavy upset, as Kansas City held the NFL’s best record at 13-3, while the Colts squeezed into the playoffs as a wild card at 9-7. Indianapolis also found itself shorthanded, missing star running back Marshall Faulk and defensive lineman Tony Siragusa to injury and illness, respectively.

Nonetheless, the Colts managed to escape the frigid conditions with a victory after the Chiefs turned the ball over four times, and kicker Lin Elliott missed three field goals, something that tends to happen in extreme temperatures.

With 42 seconds left on the clock, Elliott had chance to tie the game at 10-10 and at least give Kansas City a chance to take the game to overtime. But he missed from 42 yards out, officially sealing the win for the Colts and quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Even though Indianapolis pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs that year, the celebration was short-lived as the Colts would end up getting bounced from the playoffs the very next week in the AFC Championship Game — a 20-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium.