Everyone loves an NFL snow game. A blizzard transforms a game into something truly magical. Teams aren’t just battling each other, they are battling the elements. Let’s relive the greatest NFL snow games of all time.
Best NFL Snow Games in League History
All the Bills’ Snow Games
When the Buffalo Bills faced the Indianapolis Colts in what was dubbed the “Snow Bowl” on Dec. 10, 2017, the Buffalo area was hit with roughly 16 inches of snow, and eight or nine inches fell during the game. Each team ran the ball more than 40 times before LeSean McCoy eventually won the contest with a 21-yard rush in overtime.
The year before, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell shredded the Bills for 236 yards in a snow-covered Week 14 game. It was the most rushing yards in franchise history and the most rushing yards Buffalo had ever allowed.
And in 2007, the Cleveland Browns beat the Bills 8-0 in a snow game where the only points came from a safety and two Phil Dawson field goals.
Lions vs. Eagles (2013)
With nearly eight inches of snow on the field at game time, visibility was extremely limited during this 2013 contest between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Only one extra-point attempt was made, as Detroit and Philadelphia repeatedly went for two-point tries rather than attempt to kick through the snow.
Matthew Stafford and Nick Foles each attempted at least 22 passes, but as you’d expect, most of the offensive production came via the ground or on special teams. Once again, McCoy was involved, and he set an Eagles record with 217 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Jeremy Ross took both a punt and kick return to the house for the Lions. Philadelphia ultimately won 34-20.
Titans vs. Patriots (2009)
Snow games tend to have a limiting effect on passing games — unless Tom Brady is involved. Playing in snowy and windy conditions in mid-October, Brady and the New England Patriots dominated the Tennessee Titans 59-0, tied for the largest blowout in NFL history.
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Brady threw six total touchdowns, including five in the second quarter alone. Randy Moss hauled in eight receptions for 129 yards and three touchdowns, while Wes Welker managed a 10-150-2 line. Tennessee essentially gave up at a certain point, as quarterback Kerry Collins attempted just 12 passes.
Seahawks vs. Packers Divisional Round (2008)
In Brett Favre’s final season as a Packer, Green Bay played host to the Seattle Seahawks in a snowy NFC Divisional Round playoff game. Despite the snowy atmosphere, the Packers eventually set new team records for points (42), touchdowns (six), and first downs (25).
Green Bay RB Ryan Grant fumbled on each of the Packers’ first two drives, but he recovered to rush for a whopping 201 yards and three touchdowns. After falling behind 14-0 early in the first quarter, the Packers rallied, with Grant’s scores and two Greg Jennings touchdown receptions helping Green Bay to a 42-20 win.
The Tuck Rule Game (2001)
Perhaps the most infamous snow game in NFL history, the Tuck Rule Game took place in a 2001 Divisional Round game between the then-Oakland Raiders and the Patriots.
With New England trailing by three points with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brady appeared to have fumbled the ball after taking a hit from Charles Woodson.
“The Tuck Rule Game.”
The ruling: an incomplete pass.
The result: the start of a legendary run of postseason success. (2001 Divisional: Jan. 19, 2002) @Patriots pic.twitter.com/skVvwaLWTJ
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 9, 2019
But upon official review, the referees determined that Brady had not “tucked” the ball into his body before losing possession, turning a game-losing fumble into a mere incomplete pass.
Adam Vinatieri hit a field goal to send the game into overtime, where he connected on another attempt to advance the Patriots into the next round of the playoffs. Six New England Super Bowls later, you probably remember how the rest of the story goes.
Dolphins vs. Cowboys (1993)
With rare snow in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day 1993, the Dallas Cowboys had a chance to put the Miami Dolphins away after leading 14-13 near the end of the fourth quarter. But Leon Lett, who had made headlines with a boneheaded error in the Super Bowl just months prior, made another costly mistake.
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The Cowboys blocked a 41-year field-goal attempt from Miami’s Pete Stoyanovich, but Lett slid into the ball after the block, allowing the Dolphins to recover on the Cowboys’ 1-yard line with three seconds left in the game. Dolphins players cleared the kicking area for Stoyanovich, who made the most of his second chance and gave Miami the win.
Buccaneers vs. Packers (1985)
When the Tampa Bay Buccanneers squared off with the Packers in December 1985, there was already a foot of snow on the ground by the time the game began. Another four inches came down during the game, leading to impossible conditions for both clubs.
Coming from a warm-weather climate, Tampa Bay was at an instant disadvantage. The Buccaneers also wore all-white uniforms, making it nearly impossible for their players to see what was happening. The Packers outgained the Buccaneers 512-65 in a 21-0 rout, while future Hall of Famer Steve Young went just 8-of-17 for 53 yards.
The Snowplow Game (1982)
In December 1982, snowy and icy weather led the Patriots and Dolphins to a scoreless game with 4:45 remaining. That’s when New England head coach Ron Meyer decided to get creative.
Meyer called for snowplow operator Mark Henderson to clear an area of the field for kicker John Smith. Henderson did as requested, and Smith converted a 33-yard attempt to give the Pats a 3-0 lead.
Dolphins head coach Don Shula was furious and believed the maneuver was against league rules. Officials offered to let Miami use the snowplow if they wanted to attempt a field goal. Still, Shula adamantly refused, believing the game would eventually be nullified because of the rules violation.
Miami eventually lost, and the game result stuck, even though NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle admitted the Patriots had gained an unfair advantage. The league banned the use of snowplows the following season.