The Cold - QB performance in games 20 degrees or below weather

[upstater1]

Games played in 20 degrees or below weather (especially when you factor in wind chill) suck the heavenly life out of quarterbacks.

Thinking of our own Tom Brady, he was not so hot against the Steelers in '01, Titans in '03, 6-3 at the half against the Colts in '03, Chargers in '07, and now '10 against the Jets. Playing in snow is one thing, temps are usually around 25-32 when it snows. Playing in frigid weather is another.

One of the more unremarked upon factors in these playoffs is that the venues have all been in the north and a few in domes. Chicago, New England, Pittsburgh, Atlanta have all hosted games.

We saw Aaron Rodgers light up the dome in Atlanta at a blistering pace, and then he fell to earth in the cold. Flacco and Roethlisberger were not gods last week, and our own Tom Brady looked very mortal. This week, Roethlisberger looked bad. QBs have not looked good at all in this weather.

I guess I'm wondering, given the impact of the cold historically on Brady (and apparently on other QBs) what the gameplan should be.

Does anyone recall great playoff performances in the passing game in sub-20 degree weather from any team?

 

[Fball]

Re: The Cold

Rodgers actually came out on fire for most of the first half, yesterday. I think his coming back down to earth had less to do with weather, and more to do w/ good defensive adjustments.

In general, as teams go on in the playoffs, coaching and pass defenses just get better.

A good cold weather game that comes to mind is Eli's against GB a few years back, though...

 

[PittPatriot]

Re: The Cold

Games played in 20 degrees or below weather (especially when you factor in wind chill) suck the heavenly life out of quarterbacks.

Thinking of our own Tom Brady, he was not so hot against the Steelers in '01, Titans in '03, 6-3 at the half against the Colts in '03, Chargers in '07, and now '10 against the Jets. Playing in snow is one thing, temps are usually around 25-32 when it snows. Playing in frigid weather is another.

One of the more unremarked upon factors in these playoffs is that the venues have all been in the north and a few in domes. Chicago, New England, Pittsburgh, Atlanta have all hosted games.

We saw Aaron Rodgers light up the dome in Atlanta at a blistering pace, and then he fell to earth in the cold. Flacco and Roethlisberger were not gods last week, and our own Tom Brady looked very mortal. This week, Roethlisberger looked bad. QBs have not looked good at all in this weather.

I guess I'm wondering, given the impact of the cold historically on Brady (and apparently on other QBs) what the gameplan should be.

Does anyone recall great playoff performances in the passing game in sub-20 degree weather from any team?

This is exhibit A of why having a Super Bowl in NJ or any other northern, domeless city is stupid.