Heavy Snow Could Impact an NFL Playoff Game This Weekend
The NFL's "Elite Eight" will meet this weekend to determine which teams from each conference will play for the right to advance to the Super Bowl. Two games in the NFC and two in the AFC will determine the participants in next week's conference championship games, making the divisional round extremely important.
As the calendar turns into a new year and the chill of winter persists, inclement weather can be a real factor in the final games of the season. Some teams that play in cold weather use this to their advantage, overwhelming teams and players who aren't used to snow or freezing rain on the field.
Both teams in one AFC divisional round playoff matchup may be affected this week, as heavy snow is in the forecast around where the game is set to be played.
Snow May Be on the Way in New England
Snow is possible along the East Coast this week, and some meteorologists believe the New England region could see areas of major accumulation.
Wow! Remarkable trend continues. Chances Patriots Texans game ends up as a snow game are rising rapidly.
— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) January 15, 2026
An east coast winter storm turning into a New England snow fest Sunday into early Monday. Chances are rising significantly for sure. 00z GFS and Canadian models with heavy… pic.twitter.com/u7ajAwtUS1
“Wow! Remarkable trend continues. Chances Patriots Texans game ends up as a snow game are rising rapidly. An east coast winter storm turning into a New England snow fest Sunday into early Monday. Chances are rising significantly for sure. 00z GFS and Canadian models with heavy snow on the I-95 corridor from DC to the Boston area,” said Orlando-based meteorologist Noah Bergen on social media.
The Patriots are familiar with snow games throughout their history, including during the playoffs. New England famously defeated the then-Oakland Raiders in an infamous game in 2002 that changed the course of the franchise forever.
The Texans play in a domed stadium in Houston, and their divisional opponents (the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans) either play in domed stadiums or in warmer environments.
Each Team's Road to the Divisional Round
Houston earned the right to play in Sunday's game after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, while the Patriots punched their ticket to the divisional round by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Divisional Round is set! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/pmMZplJ2Dp
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
Other games during the divisional round weekend include the Seattle Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears, and the Buffalo Bills meeting the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots enter Sunday's game as a slight favorite over the Texans, but the weather could impact which team is able to take control of the game. Fans can tune in to Patriots-Texans on Sunday afternoon at 3PM on ABC and ESPN.