Another Ice Bowl? Get ready for subzero temps

K A N SAS CI T Y, MO.» Break out the parkas for Sunday night’s AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The National Weather Service is projecting an arctic blast to settle over Kansas City for the Chiefs’ game against the New England Patriots. Temperatures at kickoff could range from 10 degrees to well below zero, potentially making it the coldest game in Arrowhead Stadium history.

Twice it has been 1 degree at kickoff, including a December 2016 game against Tennessee.

Both teams are accustomed to cold, inclement weather, though.

The Chiefs experienced some of it this past weekend, when heavy snow blanketed Kansas City and knocked out power to thousands of people. The snow stopped just before kickoff, though, and the field was in good shape for their 31-13 victory over the Colts.

The wind chill was in the teens for the Patriots’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Cold or colder, Chiefs coach Andy Reid is eager to prove he can win the big game.

Now, the affable coach with the self-deprecating sense of humor has the Chiefs one game away from playing in their first Super Bowl in 49 years.

Standing in the way are the New England Patriots, a team that has ruined Reid’s postseason dreams on multiple occasions, but who will have to earn their own trip back to the Super Bowl by beating the AFC’s top seed on the road Sunday.

“I think this is big for our fans. It’s big for our family,” Reid said Monday. “There’s a lot that goes into it, from the head coach’s standpoint to the players’ standpoint.

“There’s going to be a lot of distractions here,” he added. “It’s important to focus on the job.”

The Chiefs don’t have a great recent playoff history, but that won’t bother the man in charge.

“I don’t get caught up in any of that,” said Reid, who even after a 31-13 win over the Colts on Saturday is just 2-4 in the playoffs with Kansas City. “I’m into history — I love history — but only if it makes you better. You learn from it and move forward. That’s the important thing.”

Reid’s players are all in. “I’ve learned a ton just from being around Coach Reid,” said Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ recordsetting young quarterback. “I think he’s a huge reason why we’ve had success this season.”

“It’s always a tough matchup against Andy,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the way he does things.”