Welcome to Gillette

Snow litters the tarp-covered field at Gillette Stadium, as a fireplace burns on the JumboTron before the Patriots meet the Cardinals.

FOXBOROUGH -- Welcome to Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots host the Cardinals today (1 p.m.).

The elements are a top storyline. It is snowing, and it is expected to continue to snow through the game. The temperature is projected to be at 30 degrees with winds in the teens.

The playing field is currently covered by a green tarp. Workers are making their way through sections of the stadium shoveling, so spectators will have a chance to make it to their seats. On the scoreboard, a video with logs on a fire is being shown.

The Patriots hold an all-time record of 9-0 in games played in snowy conditions in Foxborough, including a 5-0 mark at Gillette Stadium (which opened in 2002).

Bill Leavy has been assigned to referee today's game. Leavy, who worked the Super Bowl in the 2005 season (Steelers-Seahawks), was the referee in the Patriots' 30-10 loss to the Chargers on Oct. 12. The Patriots were flagged for six accepted penalties in that game, which tied a single-game high for the team this year. Leavy's crew has had an above average total of replay reversals this year, which could be something to keep in mind if Patriots coach Bill Belichick or Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt throw their challenge flags today.

More to come throughout the day.