As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills in frigid Orchard Park, linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Brent Urban are dismissing concerns about the cold weather. With temperatures expected to dip well below freezing on Sunday night, the Ravens are focused on football, not the forecast.

Roquan Smith: Mentality Over Weather

Smith, a leader on Baltimore’s defense, is confident that the cold won’t faze the Ravens.

“It will not be a factor at all,” Smith said. “It’s just part of football. You prepare, you adapt, and you play.”

Smith’s no-nonsense approach reflects the team’s mindset: embrace the elements and focus on executing the game plan.

Brent Urban: A Cold-Weather Veteran

Defensive end Brent Urban, a native of Canada, is no stranger to frigid conditions. For him, playing in the cold is almost second nature.

“I kind of like playing in the cold,” Urban said. “The game feels a little slower when it’s colder. Obviously, it hurts a bit more to fall, but it’s football at the end of the day.”

Urban noted that Baltimore has already faced its share of cold-weather games this season, referencing the icy conditions during their Week 18 win in Cleveland.

Sideline Solutions and Locker Room Humor

Urban joked about cold-weather strategies, sharing that he’ll wear cutoffs and a ski mask but draws the line at sleeves during games.

“We have the sideline jackets, the heated benches. It’s so much easier than high school in Canada. Back then, we were just freezing—putting on hoodie after hoodie.”

He laughed at teammate Tavius Robinson’s comment that he’d only wear sleeves in temperatures of negative 30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit), adding, “I don’t think there’s a temperature where I’d wear sleeves.”

How the Ravens Will Handle the Cold

Baltimore is taking practical steps to ensure players stay warm and ready:

• Heated Sidelines: Jackets, heated benches, and other tools will help players stay comfortable between snaps.
• Layering Up: Many players will opt for thermal gear, though sleeves remain a point of pride (or humor) for some.
• Mental Toughness: Embracing the cold as part of the game helps players focus on execution rather than discomfort.

Final Thoughts

The cold-weather conditions in Buffalo will add an extra layer of difficulty to an already challenging game. However, the Ravens’ preparation, experience in similar conditions, and focused mindset ensure they’ll be ready to battle the Bills on Sunday night.

What do you think, Ravens fans? Will the cold favor Buffalo, or are the Ravens built to thrive in any weather? Let us know in the comments!