As the New England Patriots prepare for their Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, left tackle Kody Campbell expressed a preference for a much colder game. Originating from the warmer climate of Louisiana, Campbell revealed his disappointment at the milder weather forecast which predicts a low of 28 degrees, according to the Weather Channel. He believes that harsher conditions would play into the Patriots’ favor against a team accustomed to the consistent temperatures of a dome stadium like So-Fi in Los Angeles.
“I think it can help us,” Campbell stated at his locker, emphasizing his comfort with colder temperatures. “Like I said earlier, it’s not even going to be cold this weekend. Obviously, it would be nice if it was. I do not mind the cold. I honestly never have.” His enthusiasm reflects a broader sentiment among players who thrive in the challenging weather conditions that New England often presents.
Fellow teammate DeMario Douglas, hailing from Florida, concurred with Campbell about the benefits of outdoor games during cold weather. Initially skeptical about not having an indoor stadium, Douglas came to appreciate the strategic advantage that challenging weather can provide. “I didn’t think about how the weather could be to our advantage. But yeah, that’s true,” he admitted.
Historically, the cold has been an ally for the Patriots. The coldest playoff game ever hosted at Gillette Stadium was against the Tennessee Titans on January 10, 2004, where the temperature plummeted to just 4 degrees at kickoff. That game marked the start of the Patriots’ second Super Bowl run, fueling Campbell’s desire for a chillier atmosphere this weekend.
With only ten of the 30 NFL stadiums featuring domes or retractable roofs, the Patriots appear to be well-positioned to utilize the elements to their advantage, potentially catching the Chargers off guard. As the team looks forward to Sunday night, the hope remains that Mother Nature will lend a little more bite to the weather, aiding in their quest for playoff success.