When the depart Los Angeles for Green Bay on Friday, they’ll be leaving 80-degree weather for an area of the country that’s known for frigid temperatures, brutal winters and tough conditions for a football game. Green Bay will play host to the divisional round matchup between the Rams and Packers on Saturday and the forecast is calling for some cooler conditions.
The temperature at kickoff is expected to be around 34 degrees, which is actually higher than the original forecast of sub-30-degrees. The Rams historically have not played well in the cold, but Robert Woods isn’t worried about it.
He was asked what he’ll do differently to prepare for the cold, and his solution is simple.
“Put on long sleeves,” he said with a smile. “Other than that, go about your day and do the same thing. You really can’t treat it any differently. You’re only out there for about three hours, three and a half hours, just got to direct your mind, get your mind right and play football.”
Playing their home games in Green Bay, the Packers are used to the cold. Since Aaron Rodgers took over as the starter in 2008, the Packers are 6-1 in playoff games where the kickoff temperature was below 30.
They’ll be playing in the same conditions as the Rams on Saturday, so Woods doesn’t see it as a disadvantage for his team.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a disadvantage,” he said. “The game’s played between the lines. It’s about football, it’s about being physical, it’s about speed, it’s about getting your foot in the ground no matter what the surface is.
“We’re out there with the purpose to win the game. They’re out there playing in the same conditions as we are. When we’re out there on the field, we’re going. We’re able to stay warm that way and they provide everything we need on the sideline to stay warm. So really, it’s just put on your sleeves and get to work. We’ve got a game to win.”
Though the Rams’ track record in the cold may not be very good, Woods is confident they’ll overcome the conditions and play their brand of football on Saturday. The Packers may be more accustom to temperatures like the ones they’ll see at Lambeau Field this weekend, but the Rams are built to win in these conditions. They just have to run the ball well and stand firm on defense.