ExtremeRavens Posted January 20 Posted January 20 When the Ravens and the Maryland Stadium Authority recently considered what changes to make to M&T Bank Stadium in the coming years, the idea of adding a roof didn’t get much consideration. The team plays in the AFC North — full of gritty cities that weather bitter conditions — and it likes playing outdoors, Ravens president Sashi Brown has said. During Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. game, players and fans will really feel that outdoor experience. The temperature will be about 25 degrees during the game and, although there is no snow forecasted, 4 to 6 inches fell in Baltimore on Friday. The game won’t be as chilly as last season’s date with the Atlanta Falcons on Christmas Eve, which, at 17 degrees, set a record-low for a Ravens’ home game. Nor will it be as cold as last week’s wild-card game in Kansas City, when the Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins, 26-7, in sub-zero temperatures. But it will be cold in Baltimore, nevertheless. In fact, wind gusts as strong as 31 mph will make temperatures feel 10 to 15 degrees colder, National Weather Service meteorologist Luis Rosa said, making frostbite and hypothermia a real threat to fans. Players are accustomed to it, and they practiced outside — on a field that the grounds crew cleared of snow — in Owings Mills on Wednesday and Thursday. “We’re not new to the cold,” said cornerback Brandon Stephens, a Plano, Texas, native in his third season with the Ravens. “We have to go out there [and] strap up and play ball.” Rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, a south Florida native who played at Boston College, said he spent six months training in Florida this past offseason. “Now, I’ve got to get back used to the cold again,” he said. Second-year safety Kyle Hamilton played at Notre Dame, but he also noted his roots: “I’m still from Georgia, so it still takes some getting used to.” Added center Tyler Linderbaum, an Iowa native: “The weather is what it is. I don’t think it’ll be too bad on Saturday.” Houston also had a rare cold snap this week. Instead of the usual 50s or 60s, the Texans practiced in 27-degree weather on Tuesday. Though his players are used to playing in warm temperatures and have a retractable roof at NRG Stadium, first-year coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters, “I don’t think our guys will be worried about weather.” “It was good to experience,” he said of practicing in the cold, “just what the weather would be like — very similar to how the weather will be in Baltimore.” The chilly conditions will affect fans, too, who have dealt with nasty weather at several Ravens games this year. Perhaps because of the weather (and maybe because of anticipation for a potential AFC championship game next week), tickets for the game are relatively affordable. As of early Friday evening, the cheapest ticket on SeatGeek was $64, substantially less than this weekend’s other playoff games. Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Bravvion Roy works on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens linebackers Roquan Smith (0), and Trenton Simpson (51) move to the next drill during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with wide receiver Rashod Bateman during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99), right, works with outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92), works with outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92), works on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy works on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews move to the next drill during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy works on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92), works on pass rushing drills during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Show Caption of Expand View the full article Quote
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