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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Zach Line #48 of the Minnesota Vikings tackles Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at TCF Bank Stadium January 10, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images) /

3. Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings — Jan. 10, 2016

Though this game technically had the same official game-time temperature as the Chiefs-Colts game from 1996 at -6 degrees, the wind chill was 20 degrees below zero — five degrees colder than the game at Arrowhead Stadium 20 years prior.

This was the final game the Vikings played at TCF Bank Stadium, the home stadium of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the temporary home of the Vikings while they were in the process of moving from the Metrodome to the now-completed U.S. Bank Stadium. Though their time at TCF Bank Stadium was very short-lived — only two seasons — it didn’t end on a good note, as the Vikings fell to the Seattle Seahawks in this NFC wild card matchup after Blair Walsh missed a potential game-winning field goal.

It was only a 27-yard attempt, which is essentially a chip shot for an NFL kicker. But everything changes when you are playing in subzero conditions, and Walsh pushed the kick wide left, allowing Seattle to kneel out the clock and hang on for a 10-9 victory. The Seahawks would go on to lose the following week to the Carolina Panthers, the eventual NFC champion.

Fortunately for the Vikings, they no longer have to worry about freezing cold temperatures, which are extremely common in Minnesota, having an effect on any more of their home playoff games. They have been playing indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium since the 2016 season, and it is one of the nicest new indoor venues in the NFL, even hosting Super Bowl LII last year.