Sunday Night Football between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots will see Peyton Manning face a familiar foe. No, it's not Tom Brady. It's unfavorable weather conditions at Gillette Stadium.
There's no chance of snow tonight in Foxboro, but low temperatures and high winds could influence the game. Forecasts indicate it will be 21 degrees at kickoff, with winds upwards of 20 mph blowing west-northwest. These winds are at the perfect orientation to blow through the open-ended stadium, and could create swirling and unpredictable conditions on the field. Players on both sides will also need to deal with the cold, with wind chill making it feel like 4 degrees at game time.
The game on Sunday night will be the ninth meeting between Manning and the Brady-led Patriots, with the now-Broncos quarterback holding a 2-6 record in Foxboro. His only game in Foxboro since arriving in Denver was a loss.
One of the most memorable games between Manning and the Patriots came in the 2003 AFC Championship game where New England won in heavy snow 24-14. This helped forge the narrative that Manning couldn't play outside the safety of a dome in Indianapolis and that he struggles in the snow.
There's no protection for Manning in Denver and the future Hall of Fame quarterback will have a chance to prove that he's no longer fazed by weather when the sides meet Sunday night. It will be one of the best games in Week 12, with playoff implications for both teams.
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