NFL Postpones Eagles-Vikings Game to Tuesday Night Due to Blizzard: First Tuesday NFL Game Since 1946

In an extraordinary decision that disrupted the NFL's rigid scheduling tradition, the league postponed the December 26, 2010, Sunday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings due to an impending blizzard threatening the East Coast. The game, originally scheduled for Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. ET, was rescheduled for Tuesday, December 28 at 8 p.m. ET, making it the first NFL game played on a Tuesday in 64 years - since 1946. Safety Over Spectacle: The postponement was prompted by a winter storm warning in effect for Philadelphia and much of the region. Mayor Michael Nutter declared a snow emergency hours before the game was scheduled to begin, citing public safety as the city prepared for a storm expected to dump more than a foot of snow. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello emphasized that the league made the decision "due to public safety concerns in light of today's snow emergency in Philadelphia." Though snow had not yet accumulated by early afternoon, the league, in coordination with city officials, chose to err on the side of caution, stating that moving the game to Tuesday would allow time to clear roads, parking lots, and stadium grounds. Reactions: Divided Opinion - The decision drew mixed reactions. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell was particularly outspoken, blasting the league’s decision: "This is football; football's played in bad weather... I, for one, was looking forward to sitting in the stands throughout the snow and seeing an old-time football game." Rendell saw the move as emblematic of a shift away from football’s tough, weather-defying roots and even joked that legendary coach Vince Lombardi "would be mocking us." However, Eagles head coach Andy Reid supported the league’s decision, citing safety and preparation benefits for his team. He likened the adjusted schedule to a typical Saturday night before a Sunday game and reassured that the team would handle it professionally. Fallout and Historical Significance: The game became the 23rd in NFL history to be played on a Tuesday, the last one before this being a New York Giants vs. Boston Yanks game on October 1, 1946. The unusual scheduling was further complicated by the NFL’s flex scheduling policy, which had already moved the game from its original 1 p.m. slot to primetime. With the Tuesday night decision, NBC filled the primetime slot with a mix of repeat programming, and the Disney on Ice event scheduled nearby had to be canceled due to safety concerns. The Minnesota Vikings, already enduring a season filled with disruptions, stayed in Philadelphia instead of flying back home. The team had already seen their Week 14 game against the Giants postponed and relocated to Detroit after a roof collapse at the Metrodome due to heavy snow. They also had to play a Week 15 game outdoors at the University of Minnesota. Despite a 5–9 record and being eliminated from playoff contention, Vikings players like Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen expressed resolve to keep pushing through. Interim head coach Leslie Frazier reminded his team that professionalism was still required, regardless of the setbacks. For the Eagles (10–4), the stakes were high - a win would clinch the NFC East title. Though players like DeSean Jackson expressed frustration on social media - tweeting “It’s only snow!!!! Let us play” - others, including Michael Vick, saw the upside: “Just a few more days to get ready!” Short Week Ahead: The postponement created a short turnaround for Philadelphia, who would now have only four days off before facing the Dallas Cowboys the following Sunday. Yet Coach Reid downplayed the concern, noting the team's experience playing on unconventional days earlier in the season. The postponement of the Eagles-Vikings game in December 2010 was more than a weather delay - it was a rare moment in NFL history where public safety, tradition, and scheduling collided. It stood out as a symbol of how the league could, when necessary, prioritize logistics and community welfare over spectacle, even if it meant challenging its own deeply embedded cultural norms. #NFLHistory #TuesdayNightFootball #EaglesVikings #2010Season #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife