New England Patriots

Arctic Blast Due to Hit KC for Chiefs-Patriots AFC Championship Game

Temperatures at kickoff could range from 10 degrees to well below zero

Break out the parkas for Sunday night's AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The National Weather Service is projecting an arctic blast to settle over Kansas City for the Chiefs' game against the New England Patriots. Temperatures at kickoff could range from 10 degrees to well below zero, potentially making it the coldest game in Arrowhead Stadium history.

Twice it has been 1 degree at kickoff, including a December 2016 game against Tennessee.

Both teams are accustomed to cold, inclement weather, though.

The Chiefs experienced some of it this past weekend, when heavy snow blanketed Kansas City and knocked out power to thousands of people. The snow stopped just before kickoff, though, and the field was in good shape for their 31-13 victory over the Colts.

The wind chill was in the teens for the Patriots' win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Sunday's game is a rematch of Week 6, in which Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passed for 340 yards and a touchdown in a 43-40 victory that was the Chiefs' first loss of the season. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' 75-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill tied it with 3:03 left, but Brady drove the Patriots to Stephen Gostkowski's 28-yard field goal as time expired.

The AFC championship game is Brady's first trip to Kansas City since he threw two interceptions and was sacked twice in an ugly 41-14 loss on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 29, 2014.

"It'll be a tough game," Brady said. "They're well-coached. They've got a good offense. ... It's going to be a lot of fun to go back there and play in a championship game and try to advance."

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Sunday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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