Mother Nature put a lump of coal within the Ravens’ stocking.
With a temperature of 17 levels and a wind chill of two levels at kickoff, Saturday’s 17-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons was the coldest residence recreation in franchise historical past. It was two levels colder than a Dec. 31, 2017, recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals, who beat Baltimore, 31-27, behind three landing passes from Andy Dalton, together with a 49-yarder to Tyler Boyd on fourth-and-12 with 44 seconds left that ended the Ravens’ playoff hopes.
“It’s Christmas Eve day, it’s zero degrees. It’s not exactly ideal outdoor sports weather unless you’re an ice fisherman or something,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned with a hoarse voice after the sport.
Baltimore was not the one staff affected by chilly climate on Christmas Eve. In the Cleveland Browns’ 17-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the temperature was 6 levels at kickoff, making it the coldest regular-season recreation in franchise historical past. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Seattle Seahawks with the wind chill at minus 2 at kickoff.
In Tennessee, the Titans confronted the Houston Texans of their coldest residence recreation in franchise historical past, with the temperature 20 levels at kickoff. The recreation was delayed an hour as a result of frigid climate and energy outages that affected the realm.
Despite the forecast, many followers flocked to M&T Bank Stadium and braved the tough chilly. Mark Trader, 59, is a season ticket holder and had no intentions of skipping Saturday’s recreation. The Anne Arundel County resident hasn’t missed a Ravens recreation and wasn’t going to let the climate preserve him away.
“It was cold, but I was ready to go,” Trader mentioned whereas sporting a custom-designed Ravens fireman helmet.
Thirty-six-year-old Falcons fan Chandler Ladd was coming to the sport it doesn’t matter what. Ladd, who flew in along with his girlfriend from Atlanta on Friday, mentioned they purchased the tickets two months prematurely with the expectations of putting up with chilly climate.
“It’s football,” Ladd mentioned. “You never know what you are going to get. It’s just as cold back at home.”
A number of Ravens seemed to be unfazed by the chilly situations — at the least earlier than the sport. Right guard Kevin Zeitler, security Chuck Clark, linebacker Patrick Queen and tight ends Mark Andrews and Josh Oliver warmed up in sleeveless shirts. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was utterly shirtless as he caught passes earlier than kickoff.
“Personally, I don’t really care,” Andrews mentioned. “I’ll play in anything, and I’ve played worse. Obviously, it’s a factor, but we’re glad to get the win.”
Playing highschool soccer in Staten Island, New York, operating again Gus Edwards grew accustomed to video games like Saturday. Edwards mentioned the climate pressured the Ravens to stay with the operating recreation, they usually thrived. Baltimore totaled 184 speeding yards as Edwards rushed for 99 yards on 11 carries, together with 67 yards within the second half.
“We had no choice but to run the ball,” Edwards mentioned. “A lot of guys don’t want to tackle in those conditions.”
Rookie security Kyle Hamilton praised the gear employees for conserving everybody heat on the sideline.
“We have heated benches and [other] heaters and stuff like that,” he mentioned. “So the only time you are cold is on the field. I think we do a good job with that.”
Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen mentioned the wind was “brutal.” However, he thought the Ravens’ playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in 2020 in Orchard Park, New York, was colder. Rookie middle Tyler Linderbaum mentioned Saturday was one of many coldest video games he has performed, however he adjusted as he moved across the area.
“This is the coldest game I’ve played in,” exterior linebacker Tyus Bowser mentioned. “But when you are in the moment, and your adrenaline is pushing, you throw that out of the way.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com