FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – There are few things more memorable in football than an epic snow game, or difficult to handle
That may be the reality for the Texans on Sunday in an AFC divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
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The weather forecast predicts wintry weather with moderate to heavy snow expected throughout the entire game. A few computer models project over a half foot of snow Sunday, conditions reminiscent of the Patriots’ legendary ‘tuck rule’ win over the Raiders in 2001 with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
The Texans are accustomed to cold weather, including their wild-card win last Monday over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 32-degree temperatures and a road win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
There’s also a chance of rain Sunday, so the game is expected to include slippery conditions.
“You sit there, and you got to concentrate,” Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “You got to look the ball in and catch it. No differently than rain or whatever else you’re playing in element-wise. It’s about your footing. It’s about playing in a grounded state where you got your feet underneath you and being able to focus and concentrate.
“That’s what we’re trying to do. Elements are the elements. Playing this time of the year and you get to play outdoors, it’s a great opportunity to play in the playoffs.”
The Texans haven’t played a playoff game in the snow previously in franchise history.
The Texans, to a man, including coach DeMeco Ryans, have emphasized that whatever the weather is like Sunday, the conditions will be the same for both teams. It’s about how they deal with it mentally and physically.
Defensive coordinator Matt Burke recalled a 2013 Detroit Lions game against the Philadelphia Eagles where a sudden snow storm piled up 18 inches before kickoff.
“We haven’t even talked about it,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “It’s really not on our radar. You can’t really, obviously, predict the weather or handle it or anything else. I coached in Detroit when it’s the only time I’ve ever seen the snow really be something when it snowed like 18 inches in between pregame warm-ups and when we came out for kickoff.
“It was like a whiteout. It was crazy. 2013, Detroit at Philly. That’s the only time I’ve ever seen it be an issue. So, we’re going to prepare to go play a ball game, whatever the conditions.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com