Dolphins Warming Up to Cold-Weather Game

Temperatures dropping to teens with snow flurries. The New England Patriots think it’s just perfect.

The Patriots play Miami at Foxboro Stadium on Sunday and are counting on a big chill to freeze the Dolphins out of the first-round playoff game.

The Dolphins, however, insist they will not be a fish out of water.

“The way I look at it is that the pressure is on them,” cornerback Calvin Jackson said. “Everybody is expecting them to win. I kind of like playing in the snow. It’s fun.”

Added defensive lineman Trace Armstrong, who on Thursday was listed as probable despite an ailing knee: “We are not intimidated playing at their place at all.”

Miami says many of its players are from cold climates and will not have a problem with frigid conditions.

“It’s playoff time. Shoot, if you let that bother you it’s going to be an ugly game,” linebacker Zach Thomas said. “It ought to be fun. They say it’s going to be snowing up there. It’s going to be a snowy Christmas and New Year’s.”