Let it snow?

It seems pretty crazy that the Patriots went a little over 18 years between snow games.

I'm not worried about the forecast for snow, since a snowy field gives the advantage to the offense, especially the passing game. The receivers know where they are running while the defenders have to react and are more liable to lose their footing. I am concerned that the forecast is calling for high winds, though. A windy day hurts the Patriots on two fronts, namely the passing game and on special teams. If there is one facet of the game that the Jets have the advantage in, it would be special teams, namely the return units. Leon Washington is a beast, probably the second best returner in the game behind Devin Hester. If the conditions dictate a low-scoring, field-position game, the Jets have a huge advantage with Washington on their side.

Last year the crappy field conditions certainly helped the Jets win in Foxboro. It's funny that the Patriots haven't lost at home since then as they put down the Fieldturf. Now, we have the snow. It may be a factor. But as long as it's not too windy, the Pats should be able to throw well on Sunday.

I heard a rumor the game was changed to 4:15...that so?

The game against Miami has been changed to 4:15. I'm pretty sure the Jet game is still at 1:00.

The Jets game is still at 1:00pm...the Dolphins game has been changed to 4:15pm

Oh Boy, the forecast has really deteriorated in one day. Yesterday the weather channel was predicting 26 degrees, NW wind at 5mph and 40% chance of precip. Today it's 33 degrees, a "wintery mix" and wind out of the NE at 29mph. Posters are right in that it's the Dolphins game that's moved to 4:15pm. Anyone care to discuss why Kraft didn't build a dome?

AccWeather.com is reporting winds

Why do they change the times of a game????

Bad weather has long been considered to be "the equalizer." While it does not always hold true, most of the time it give a bad team an opportunity to play on the same level as a much better team. Hopefully, that will not be the case in this instance. And, while they may have in impressive record in snow games, the laws of average always hold true, at one point or another. A good example was the long, unbeaten post season record for Brady and Belichick that ended last season in Indy. Again, hopefully this damned, forecasted, bad weather is not the equalizer.

The mix of snow & rain that's currently being forecast should faze the Patriots much; if you play in New England, you can take winter weather. And this isn't going to be a blizzard like the Snow Bowl against the Raiders was. A little wintry sloppiness won't slow the Pats juggernaut.

The high winds that may occur might affect the Pats a bit on passing, though I doubt it'll be a big issue. Brady's more than strong enough to accurately rifle short- to mid-range throws in blustery conditions, and the Patriots know how the winds work at Gilette far better than any visiting team, so if anything I think the Jets will suffer more. Punts and kickoffs will probably be affected, though, which will make sharp special teams play important for both sides.

Brenda,

After week 10 the NFL changes the game schedule to games they feel will draw more advertising dollars.

Rain, Snow, Sleet, Sun, Wind it makes no difference Brady and Pats will roll.

Don't show Al Gore and the rest of the Global Warming mafia this list... They're not keen on little things like facts.

Seven (7) games in the snow during the global warming, not-yet-complete decade of 2000s.

But...
Zero (0) in the 90s.

Two (2) in the 80s.

One (1) in the 70s.

Zero (0) in the 60s.

Quick poll...
Who is more hated now by New England fans?

Yankees
or
Magini?

Mike Allen: I like to block it out too, but the playoff streak ended at Denver the year before.

Hey Rick: That's a really good point; let's base our national energy policy on the number of snow games in Foxborough. There's a reason they call it **global** warming!

David: No question -- the Yankees. Like Pudge said: "I hate those pinstriped b@$^@%ds."

Danny - you got it wrong. Global climate patterns are entirely predicted by the weather in Rick's back yard.

Try to get it right next time, huh?

Guys, we might get more than a "wintry mix".

Some weather sites are saying that there is a possibility of a MAJOR northeaster on Sunday, with 1 to 2 feet of snow in inland locations, high winds along the coast, etc.

Granted, we're a long ways out, but it's worth thinking about.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=876&tstamp=200712

Rick: No one disputes that the Earth is getting warmer, although some scientists have doubts over the extent to which the evidence shows that we are causing it. Funny that the main result of this temperature increase is what is referred to as climate change. Hotter highs, colder lows, wetter wets, drier drys and yes... even snowier snows. So the greater number of snow games actually supports the finding of global warming.

Hmm... bet if Al Gore was coach, he'd tell us to draft a better running back to account for this sort of thing moving forward. I'm worried that the lack of a running game will eventually come home to roost in bad weather games.

Craft didnt build a dome because thats not football. Its that simple.

If the weather is bad in Foxboro, will the patriots non-existent running game be a factor???

No contest . good weather, bad weather, good team or bad, Thursaday, Saturday, Monday . September November or January. The Patriots have been just about unstoppable this season & this week that will continue. Thanks for the extra motivation Mangini & thank you San Francisco for a top 5 pick in the draft next year. Does it get any better than this?

Other than a hurricane perhaps, national tragedy (Kennedy's funeral services), has the NFL ever called off a game due to really severe ice or snow or even rain conditions? Playing is tough but how about fan safety coming and going?

WINTRY MIX??? A wintry mix for New England is 29 inches of snow and a snowblower.

Yes, the Pats haven't run the ball as much or as well as they had in the last few years. Why would they run when the passing game is potent ? This doesn't mean the trio of Maroney, Faulk and Evans will be ineffective if called on to tote the rock.

The most consistently successful part of the Pats pass offense is the shorter routes i.e. screens and quick slants. Get the ball to the WR and let him do the rest. Madden calls 'em "long handoffs." I'm not convinced that inclement weather would knock the short pass out of the play book.

Bruce McDonald

O.K. graybeard Pats fans, how many remember the playoff game with Buffalo in Fenway Park in 1965 or 6? We tried to dig our seats out of the drifts but there was no place to put the snow so we just sat nice and high. Buffalo won but it was a great snowball fight.

In response to #13. All the snow is a result of global warming. In the past as a cold front moved across the country, it did so over frozen water. Now, it moves over open water and absorbs moisture and energy, thus creating a snow storm, not single digit temps.
I live down south now but grew up in SEMASS. I used to be able to plan ice fishing trips home w/ my old pals. We still go ice fishing, but we go in Northern VT to give ourselves a better chance of having ice.
We had plenty of ice in SEMASS in the 70's and 80's, it started to slack off in the 90's.
Snow does not = the coldest of temps. in NE.

I live just two towns from foxborough... we've got some wicked snow coming. today it's ben massive, at least 9-10 inches if not more. then we'll have ice storm tomorrow. and Sunday = noreaster
But this is the pats. snowbowl? simply the fact they live and practice in new england is enough, let alone past performance.
We'll be fine... this is WHY other teams hate playing at Gillette late in the season, because they may just get some *gasp* snow!

This weather uncertainty really sucks...while you Pats fans may not care whether you win 42-10 or 14-3, I've got key fantasy players on NE and it's driving me crazy wondering whether to bench them this week (for example, benching Moss in favor of Chad Johnson)!

Regarding Patriots-Bills Blizzard game of 40 plus years ago but who's counting.
Not sure how we even made it in from Framingham. It was a major blizzard but Fenway was packed! I believe it was 1965 if played in December. I was 14 and had a broken leg in a cast and my father and his buddy had to take turns carrying me as I couldnt get through the deep snow on crutches. Jack Kemp to a speedy Elbert Dubenion on a couple of long TD's was the story of the day as Pats DB Ron Hall got burnt on both. Parilli and receiving corps of Gino Capelletti, Art Graham and Jimmy Colclough were no Brady-Moss-Welker-Stallworth combo and running game ( Jim Nance) was shut down as well. Or so I seem to recall. Seems like only yesterday! John Drady, Sebastopol, CA.
John Drady, Sebastopol, California.

And I wonder how rookie Kellen Clemens will like the snow, confronted with a bunch of very determined opposing blitzers?

I'm not worried about the forecast for snow, since a snowy field gives the advantage to the offense, especially the passing game. The receivers know where they are running while the defenders have to react and are more liable to lose their footing. I am concerned that the forecast is calling for high winds, though. A windy day hurts the Patriots on two fronts, namely the passing game and on special teams. If there is one facet of the game that the Jets have the advantage in, it would be special teams, namely the return units. Leon Washington is a beast, probably the second best returner in the game behind Devin Hester. If the conditions dictate a low-scoring, field-position game, the Jets have a huge advantage with Washington on their side.

You should be worried...whatever the weather conditions are on Sunday....your Jets are burnt toast....now start a fresh pot of coffee, and wake up

Rick#13

I am no fan of Al Gore, but your wrong on this one. As the temperature rises so does the amount moisture in the atmosphere. When it's cold, it snows instead of rain. Drug addict Rush Limbaugh or the racist Jerry Callahan are not going to tell you that little fact, but it is in you 5th grade science book.

That aside, Go Pats! I love the snow games.

Coach B, in anticipation of this weekend's storm, called for snow on Thursday so he could practice in wet snowy conditions.

He asked for 4 hours of heavy snow starting at 1pm because he had meetings scheduled in the morning.

So for all of those people who had long commutes Thursday....it's okay, it was scheduled by coach. Now that you know why your ride was so bad.....don't you feel a little better about it??? I do. GO PATS!!!

Will Belchichuck be installing windshield wipers on the hidden cameras?