As the Chicago Bears gear up to face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at Soldier Field, fans are bracing for an extreme cold front, with temperatures expected to dip into single digits. Wind chills are projected to create a biting sensation, with feels-like temperatures ranging from -5 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, easing slightly to between 0 and -5 during the game.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson described the impending chill as “Bear Weather,” suggesting that the frigid conditions are something his players anticipate with excitement. This sentiment is echoed by many former players and coaches who have experienced the harsh winds and biting cold that often blanket Chicago in winter.
The history of cold games at Soldier Field is extensive, with several memorable matchups that have tested the limits of both players and fans. Notably, December 19, 2004, saw the Bears face the Houston Texans in temperatures around 12 degrees with a wind chill of -7. In that game, the Bears fell 24-5 in a contest where Houston turned a tight affair into a decisive win, underscoring the challenges of performing in frigid air.
Fans will remember another significant cold showdown from December 23, 1990, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when temperatures hovered at 11 degrees with a wind chill of -1. Despite three turnovers, the Bears managed to find their footing and overcame the Buccaneers by scoring 27 unanswered points, led by quarterback Mike Tomczak’s impressive performance.
More recent memories echo the past, such as the December 18, 2016, battle against the Green Bay Packers. On an 11-degree day with a -4 wind chill, the Bears staged a dramatic comeback but ultimately fell short, losing 30-27. Historical moments like these define the enduring spirit of both the franchise and their supporters.
From legendary running back Walter Payton’s incredible performance in 1977, marked by a 14-10 win over the Packers under 10 degrees, to the Bears’ thrilling 45-28 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 at 8 degrees, there is no shortage of stories that intertwine the Bears with their cold-weather identity.
The culmination of these frigid encounters adds a layer of anticipation as fans prepare to bundle up for another classic matchup. The players’ ability to embrace the harsh conditions exemplifies the tenacity of the franchise, as they seek to claim victory once more in the bone-chilling embrace of what it means to play in Chicago during the winter.
