Snow Accumulation, Freezing Temperatures Forecast For NFL Divisional Round Game Between Texans, Patriots

The Houston Texans could face a harsh reality check when they travel to Gillette Stadium for Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup against the New England Patriots.

Having spent the season playing in the climate-controlled NRG Stadium, the Texans are set to encounter significantly tougher outdoor conditions in Foxborough.

Per the latest outlook from NFL Weather, game-time temperatures are expected to hover in the low 30s throughout the afternoon, with wind chills dropping as low as 24°F. (RELATED: Freezing Warning Issued As Rams-Bears Set To Be One Of Coldest Games In History With Negative 10-Degree Temperatures)

On top of the cold, snow is forecast to fall for much — if not the entirety — of the game, potentially creating slick field conditions and adding another layer of difficulty for both teams.

This marks a stark contrast to the dome environment the Texans are accustomed to, and the combination of freezing temperatures, biting wind and accumulating snow could play a major role in how the game unfolds.

Not afraid to be on my own limb with a forecast if I believe in it and others don’t see it. Fine.

I think the coastal low for the Mid Atlantic and New England will come back west, and it’ll snow for the Pats game Sunday PM. Building during the game.

AIFS has been excellent in… pic.twitter.com/3ahkIMn4pF

— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) January 16, 2026

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting a “chance of snow,” particularly following 1:00 p.m. ET, with “new snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.”

For New England, competing in frigid conditions is a familiar routine. Each of their last six games featured kickoff temperatures below 40°F, including their recent wild card playoff victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. During that six-game span, the Patriots posted a strong 5-1 record.

Their only defeat in that stretch came in their most recent encounter with snow — a 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in mid-December. That game unfolded under light snowfall with minimal accumulation on the field, and the outcome stemmed largely from New England’s failure to sustain its early-game momentum rather than any direct impact from the weather. (RELATED: Several Major Northeastern Cities Across I-95 Corridor Could Be Impacted By Snow Over Holiday Weekend)

Houston, by contrast, arrives with far less exposure to such elements. While they did secure victories in each of their cold-weather road games this campaign — including last week’s win in Pittsburgh — their last appearance in a snowy contest dates all the way back to Dec. 2016. None of the players from that Texans roster remain with the team in 2026.

Kickoff for the Texans-Patriots game is set for Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET.