As the Miami Dolphins gear up for their Thanksgiving Day clash against the Green Bay Packers, they’re about to face the kind of cold that can be just as influential as the sweltering heat back in South Florida during September. The forecast for Green Bay hints at a bone-chilling evening, with mercury possibly dipping to 17 degrees, and it certainly doesn’t favor the Dolphins, a team that has historically faltered when things get frosty.

Kick-off is set for 8:20 p.m. ET, and Miami’s playoff aspirations hang by a thread — a single loss could dash their postseason dreams.

Now, here’s a curveball: the Dolphins find themselves in a familiar predicament, hoping to shake off the stigma of struggling in the cold. Remember last year’s clash with the Kansas City Chiefs?

Temps fell below zero, and the wind chill made sure it felt like a bitter -27 degrees, a contest Miami lost 26-7. Compared to that, a mid-20s game should feel like a breezy welcome.

So, what’s the strategy? The Dolphins need to ignore the weather altogether and focus on what they can control. Key to their game plan will be an effective ground attack and a rock-solid defensive performance to keep Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense on the sidelines.

In these biting conditions, there’s little more the Dolphins can do but hope the cold is a non-factor. But perhaps they can channel a little warmth from the notion of toppling a team with a record above .500, a team firmly in the playoff hunt. Such an outcome would not only be an upset but a much-needed lifeline to keep Miami’s postseason hopes flickering brightly against the odds.