Final weather forecast pits Rams against Eagles and winter's worst

The LA Rams practice, train, and play in sunny Southern California. That gives the team the benefit of fair weather when the rest of the nation faces the fury of Mother Nature at this time of year. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, heavy winds, and bitter cold temperatures are common this time of year for many of the nation's urban centers and NFL teams. The Rams, due to their geography, seldom intersect with wintry weather.

Well, the team is on a collision course with wintry weather this Sunday. And the closer to gametime we get, the worse and more certain are the conditions. Early in the week, the Rams faced a chance of snow and temperatures in the upper 30s. The updated weather forecast had the team facing snow throughout the game, accumulating as much as two to three inches by the final whistle. And the projected temperatures dropped to the mid-30s.

Now, the latest weather forecast indicates that temperatures will never rise above the freezing mark (32 degrees Fahrenheit), snow is a certainty, three to five inches will be on the ground at the kickoff, and more snow accumulation throughout the game. Winds are projected to be steady out of the North at 10 miles per hour, gusting to 15 miles per hour.

Let's break down the forecast as it has evolved this week:

The rapidity and extreme drop in optimal weather conditions is worth noting. That is to say that weather conditions for the game could become even worse by the time of the kickoff.

Oh snow! Rams playing in ankle deep snow

Need more details? Here is the latest local weather forecast:

While the snowy conditions certainly favor the Eagles, it's not a certainty that the Rams have little to no chance in the white stuff. The Rams' offense in the past has been built around the passing game, and the ability to outflank, outrace, and outman secondaries with an aerial assault that afforded quarterbacks multiple passing options.

While the team has every confidence in veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, this is a team that has overloaded on running backs and tight ends for the 2024 NFL season. While the Rams have limited experience at playing in cold weather and no experience at playing in snow for many years, the Rams roster is constructed in such a way that they should be able to perform in snow.

Lincoln Financial Field is not domed. That means that the slippery slick conditions apply to both teams. Lincoln Financial Field is grass. That amplifies the lack of firm footing in cold and snow.

Domed teams don't win at the Linc, but the Rams aren't a 'domed team'

The principles behind winning and losing in a game are many. One of the factors that will impact both teams in this game are field conditions. Which team will be more impacted by slippery footing? Initially, you may be tempted to conclude that the Philadelphia Eagles have the upper hand. Their offense is built around a power running game featuring RB Saquon Barkley, and they have experience playing in snowy conditions.

And then there is the track record of domed teams struggling to find any success when traveling to Philadelphia in the NFL Playoffs. Road teams are just 1-6 against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

And then there is the overwhelming success of the Eagles in 2024. Any team that finished with a record of 14-3 is bound to have an impressive homefield record, and that is the case here. The Eagles finished 2024 with a home record of 8-1.

But the Rams are not a 'domed team. And snowy conditions apply to both teams. Despite the fact that this is a playoff game, could this be a trap game for the Philadelphia Eagles?

It's almost a certainty that the Eagles do not see the Rams as a true threat. They defeated the Rams by a score of 37-20. And the comments by Eagles players have been less about respecting their next opponent, and more about discounting their amazing performance against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Eagles do not fear, nor respect, the Rams rushing offense. And with snow in the forecast, they have to expect lots of help defending the Rams passing offense. But I'm not convinced that the Rams are fighting an uphill battle this week. We'll discuss those points later. For now, it's going to be a snowy football game.

As always, thanks for reading.

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