Do cold weather NFL teams really have an advantage?

Question

I always hear people talk about how warm weather teams like san diego can't play in the rain or snow in places like Pittsburgh but don't people realize that 90 % of the players from any given team are NOT from the city they play in. Most probably grew up or played college ball in cold cities so it shouldn't matter. Also, warm weather teams only play half the season at home. The other half is played on the road possibly in cold weather cities. Likewise, many players on cold weather teams are from warm weather cities.Is too much being made of this cold weather curse? both teams are gonna freeze their butts off right?

Answer 1

I think it translates as more of a home-field advantage thing than a weather thing. I agree, weather shouldn't be a factor considering these guys have played in all kinds of weather throughout college and the pros.



There have been plenty of "warm weather" teams who have gone into the cold and won, and vice-versa. I think Pittsburgh should be favored over SD, but because of home field and the talent on the team, not anything having to do with the weather.



EDIT: By the way, Troy Palomalu played his high school ball in Oregon (Douglas High)--not exactly a fair weather environment in the fall and winter. These guys are pros--they should all be able to handle a little rain or snow.

Answer 2

Definitely. There are stats to back it up. For example the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are horrible in cold weather. Their record in cold weather proves this. So yes cold weather teams absolutely have the advantage because as a cold weather team, they are used to it. They are professional athletes but they're human. And the teams get players who may not be from cold weather cities but once you've played a season or two with the team you've become a cold weather person. It's like regular people from New York who are more used to the cold than people in North Carolina.

Answer 3

True, the players who play for certain teams didn't come from the area that the team is located in, but they live there (sometimes), they stay for extended periods there, they practice there, they play half of their schedule there, and only a fraction of the away games are cold weather games. Both team will freeze their butts off, but one team will be used to it. One team will be able to overcome the cold cause they have done it before, they live it, they practice in it, they love it.



Don't tell me that the Chargers practice in the snow. Down in SoCal, it doesn't get below 60 degrees. I live in California. In Pittsburgh, you could be talking the teens for the high or colder. Big difference. Pittsburgh loves the cold weather, they embrace it, they love it. But Pittsburgh isn't the only one. Talk to Chicago Bears fans, Green Bay Packers fans, to New England Patriots fans. They love the cold. The colder the better. They look forward to it.

Answer 4

The weather has an effect on the game, meaning both teams. These are professional athletes who are the best at what they do. At the end of the day its always the players who decide the games, and not mother nature, so its my opinion that no real advantage is gained from weather.

Answer 5

I would agree with you to a degree, but to play all your games in good climate and then having to travel for one in extreme cold is tough to get used to. Now for Troy not getting used to might be tough to say, but He would be better prepared for it if he play 2-3 games already than a team or person that has not played 1 in that atmosphere.



But I think a team can convince themselves, that it is not that bad, while on the field itself. Not before they are on it.

Answer 6

Your physique remains ammune to it. I stay in san diego and its sunny and in the 70s merely approximately usually happening right here. So being that gamers arrive the night until now a game and then ought to stand out in it for countless hours makes a great distinction. Like if I have been to flow to new england or long island real now i could just about die whilst in comparison with the persons who're used to it always happening. i think of it makes a great distinction, it would not ever get decrease than 50 right here, in some places this time of year it would not get above 30. Hugggggeeee distinction

Answer 7

well... it seems that people who practice and work out in cold weather seem to have an advantage...



two examples:



the packers...have an very good home record when the temp is below 32... for the history of the franchise... and hey, a win is a win... and that's with some packer teams that weren't so good..



and the vikings...went to like 5 super bowls when they were playing OUT DOORS... 0 since they moved inside...



coincidence... maybe? maybe not...

Answer 8

It doesn't have anything to do where someone grew up. It's a matter of acclimation. If I grew up in Buffalo but have lived in Florida for the past couple of years and I returned to play in Buffalo, I am not acclimated anymore in Buffalo. I grew up in cold weather climate, but have lived in warmer climates for the most of my life now. It would take me a winter or two to acclimate to cold weather once again.

Answer 9

yes...have you ever played football in the snow? It makes all the difference in the world. When your water freezes, you can't fell your hands, the ground is hard as a rock and they ball hurts like **** when you get it.

Answer 10

Not really. Players on warm-weather teams who complain need to suck it up and stop behaving like babies.

Answer 11

Yes! Good Question. You know alot more about football then me. I just like the Stealers