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Soldier Field in Chicago is expected to be especially frigid on Sunday as the Bears play the Browns.
Certainly, for the Browns and the advancement of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the ability to play in the chill of December is a key part of his education. He was the quarterback at Colorado, and Boulder is no stranger to snow. But playing in the Midwest in the depths of December can be a different animal altogether, and Sanders–along with the 14 rookies on the Browns roster–is about to experience what that truly means.
The headlines around what’s ahead for this weekend in Chicago, where the Browns will face the Bears, are pretty blunt.
“Chicago weather: Arctic blast arriving this weekend,” one reads.
“Chicago wind chill warning: Cold Weather Advisory issued as Chicago weather forecast calls for snow, dangerous temps this weekend,” says another.
And yet another: “Chicago weather: Rounds of snow to move in, followed by ‘Arctic blast’ with wind chills down to -30.”
The Bears’ game against the Browns is scheduled to kick off at noon Central time, and the forecast at Soldier Field calls for a temperature of 7 degrees, with a wind chill of minus-15. That would rank the Week 15 showing for the Browns among the coldest games played in Soldier Field history.
Browns-Bears Features ‘Threat of Frostbite’
Concerns for Browns and Bears fans attending the game are high.
Chicago’s Fox 32 website describes the forecast: “It will get worse Saturday night into Sunday. Temperatures will drop below zero just about areawide Saturday night with wind chills as low as -15 to -25. It appears likely that the National Weather Service will issue a Cold Weather Advisory for the dangerously cold conditions Saturday night into Sunday. Sunday’s high temperatures will only top out near 10 degrees with wind chills never climbing above zero. Bears fans will need to take the cold seriously to protect themselves from the threat of frostbite!”
Of course, even with heated benches, thick protective capes and warmed blankets, there is concern for the players, too, who will have skin exposed to some serious elements.
Kevin Stefanski: Browns Should ‘Focus on Doing Your Job’
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spoke about the effects of what should be brutal cold on Sunday, though he downplayed any effect on the team’s plans.
“Weather’s part of the game,” he said. “It’s the same for both teams. Like I’ve told you guys before, we deal with elements, we don’t control them. So sometimes it’s wind, sometimes it’s rain, sometimes it’s really hot days, sometimes it’s really cold days. You have to focus on doing your job regardless of what the elements are.”
Shedeur Sanders Does Not Want to Be ‘Mentally Defeated’
But for a Browns offense that appears to have added a new wrinkle since Shedeur Sanders took over at quarterback–deep passing attempts–the dangerous cold in Chicago no doubt will have an impact on the game plan.
Sanders has, according to Pro Football Focus, completed five of 14 attempts of more than 20 yards in his three starts, while Dillon Gabriel completed just two of eight attempts in his six starts. In his four starts before them, Joe Flacco had completed four of 18 deep attempts–Sanders has clearly shown a willingness to try and an ability to connect on deep passes that his predecessors just did not have.
The cold could affect Sanders’ deep balls from the get-go. One of the challenges, he said, is to not let that happen.
“One thing you don’t want to be is mentally defeated before you get there. You know, whatever comes with, however it feels out there just comes with it,” Sanders said. “We could prepare the best we can and do everything we can to bundle up. I know you see the two sleeves I’m wearing now, so we definitely had to change the style a little bit to make sure I stay warm.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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