Cincinnati Bengals face historic temperature shift against Miami Dolphins
The Cincinnati Bengals are set to encounter a record-setting temperature fluctuation this weekend as they gear up to face the Miami Dolphins in South Florida. Just days after experiencing one of the coldest games in franchise history, where they fell 24-0 to the Baltimore Ravens amid frigid conditions of 10 degrees at kickoff, the Bengals will transition to a predicted high of 81 degrees in Miami. This anticipated swing of 71 degrees would surpass the previous record of 52 degrees, established during the 2013 season.
A stark contrast in temperatures
During the 2013 season, the Bengals played a game against the Chargers in San Diego on December 1, where the temperature reached 77 degrees. They secured a 17-10 victory in that game. However, the following week, they faced the Indianapolis Colts in Cincinnati, where the kickoff temperature plummeted to 25 degrees. The Bengals managed to win that contest as well, finishing 42-28.
The record for temperature shifts specifically from cold to hot stands at 50 degrees, a distinction set in 2007. On December 23 of that year, the Bengals triumphed over the Browns at home with a kickoff temperature of 31 degrees. The next week, they traveled to Miami and defeated the Dolphins 38-25 in 81-degree weather.
Dolphins’ December heat
Interestingly, the Dolphins have only hosted 12 home games in December and January where the temperature hit 81 degrees or higher, two of which were against the Bengals. The first was in 2007, while the second occurred in 2020 when Miami emerged victorious with a score of 19-7 in a turbulent game that saw its fair share of fights and ejections. Since then, the Dolphins have only played two additional games at this temperature in December, which included a close 27-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and a 31-24 win against the New York Jets in 2021. Overall, Miami holds a 6-6 record in these 12 games with temperatures of 81 degrees or warmer.
Memorable moments and past matchups
Fans may recall the infamous 2019 matchup known as “The Burrow Bowl,” where a loss would have positioned the Bengals to select Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft. That game kicked off at 76 degrees, and the Bengals rallied from a 23-point deficit to force overtime, ultimately losing 38-35. Burrow acknowledged the significance of that game, noting that his coaches at LSU used it as a teaching tool when preparing for the College Football Playoff, highlighting its many lessons in situational football.
As the Bengals brace for this unprecedented temperature swing, their ability to adapt could play a vital role in their performance against the Dolphins. The stakes are high as they seek to maintain their competitive edge amidst the dramatic change in climate.
