Titan, Patriots to wage AFC battle in frigid conditions

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Break out the parkas and hand-warmers: The NFL playoffs are returning to Foxboro.

Two years after the snow-covered "Tuck Rule" game helped propel New England to the Super Bowl title, the Patriots will host another prime time postseason game.

No snow is in the forecast this time, but the Tennessee Titans will be welcomed with bone-chilling cold that could make this meeting much different from the 38-30 Patriots victory in Week 5.

"Ty Law's talking about going out there without any sleeves," Patriots rookie Eugene Wilson said of his partner in the defensive backfield. "I think I'll wear sleeves."

Temperatures are expected near zero, with a wind chill at minus-10 that has both teams talking about how the weather will affect the game. Most will ignore Law's bravado and wear extra layers; stationary bicycles and heated benches will also help them try to stay warm on the sidelines.

The first 10,000 fans at the game will receive free hand-warmers. Extra medical staff will be on hand to deal with frostbite and hypothermia, and the team is telling fans to dress warmly and avoid alcohol and caffeine; decaf coffee will be poured for free in the parking lots before the game.

Simulating conditions

Coach Jeff Fisher had the Titans (13-4) practice at night this week to get them accustomed to the late (7:15 p.m. CDT) start, and the Patriots' Friday walkthrough was also scheduled at night. No matter how cold it gets, though, both teams insist it won't provide either team with an advantage.

"I tried to call Mother Nature last night just to make sure they weren't going to have a special sun or anything above each player, so they're going to be cold like we're going to be," Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse said. "I got a voice mail and she was like, 'Everyone's going to feel the same out there.'

"Everyone's going to be dealing with it," he said.

But both teams are wondering if the cold will make it difficult for receivers to catch a rock-hard ball, neutralizing the passing games of star quarterbacks Steve McNair and Tom Brady. And, if it turns into a running contest, how will Titans back Eddie George respond without practicing for the week after separating his shoulder in the 20-17 first-round victory over Baltimore?

The Patriots, who won their last 12 games to finish with the league's best record (14-2), think they might have the edge because they've been practicing in the cold, a possible added home-field advantage to go with the 8-0 mark they compiled in Foxboro this season. New England also has a 14-2 record in games played below 35 degrees since 1993.

Fisher -- a former Chicago Bear who's no stranger to the cold -- laughed off the weather questions.

"What we're going to do is, we're going to leave the Florida guys home. We'll bring them up on Saturday, put them up in the press box, give them some pizza and let the rest of the guys play," he joked. "What you have to do is dress so you can execute, so you can move around and execute, and you can operate. ... I don't expect any problems with it. We've gone on the road before to some cold environments, and done just fine."