Historically, the Bucs are horrible in cold-weather games
By JERRY TAPP
The Green Bay Packers (and their fan base) have spent a lot of time talking about the importance of getting home field advantage in the playoffs, a goal they achieved in the 2020 NFL regular season that now puts them in a position to host the NFC Championship Game.
While there will not be a full stadium of Green and Gold adorned fans, the weather element just may play a big factor in the contest. Here’s a stat that may (or may not) be a deciding factor in which team, the Packers or the Tampa Bay Bucs, goes to this year’s Super Bowl.
Early weather forecasts indicate the temperature at Lambeau Field will be around 28 degrees at kickoff. Did you know:
* Tampa Bay played only one game outdoors in 2020 where the temperature was under 50 degrees. That was a 25-23 win over the New York Giants on November 2, 2020. The temperature was 39 degrees.
* The Packers played 11 games outdoors in 2020, eight of them under 50 degrees. The eight games under 50 degrees were the most played by a team in the league in 2020.
* Of the 12 outdoor games the Bucs played in the 2020 regular season, the average temperature was 75.9. Of the 11 outdoor games the Packers played this season, the average temperature was 47.4.
* The last time Tampa Bay played a game outdoors where the temperature was under 32 degrees was on December 24, 2000 against the Packers in Green Bay. The Pack won the game 17-14 in overtime. The temperature at game time for that contest was 15 degrees.
* In their history, the Bucs are 0-13 in games played outdoors where the temperature was under 32 degrees. In fact, Tampa Bay is 21-64 (.247 winning percentage) all-time in regular season and playoff games where the temperature is under 50 degrees.
* The Packers are 78-46-3 (.626) in regular season and playoff games since 1970 where the temperature is under freezing (32 degrees). When those games were played at home, the Pack is 65-28-2 (.695).
Will the Frozen Tundra live up to its nickname and have a positive effect on the Packers hope for another Super Bowl appearance?
