Sunday’s 49ers-Broncos game at Levi’s Stadium is gearing up to be the second-hottest ever recorded there, with the National Weather Service predicting temperatures will climb as high as 94 degrees for the 1:25 p.m. kickoff. That’s a brutal forecast, and while the team’s stars are trying to keep it cool, the past shows this kind of heat can absolutely cook a gameplan.
That 94-Degree Forecast And Why It Matters
Let’s not mince words: 94 degrees is scorching, even for October. This isn’t just about fans sweating through their jerseys, although those on the east side of the stadium, exposed to direct afternoon sun, are in for it, same for anyone tailgating early. This is about what happens on the field. The previous high for a 49ers game at Levi’s hit 95 degrees back in 2024 against the Arizona Cardinals. What happened then? The 49ers wilted, blowing a 13-point second-half lead and losing by a single point.
Look, just last Sunday, in San Francisco’s 36-30 win over the Cardinals, defensive tackle Gracen Halton suffered from cramps, and temperatures were hovering around 70 degrees. Now we’re talking about a jump to 94. Players could be in for a far more serious risk of cramping and dehydration in Week 4, and that’s not something you can just “will” away.
Lynch and Kittle Try to Keep It Cool
General Manager John Lynch hit up KNBR on Thursday, trying to downplay the whole heat impact. He brought up the new covering above their bench, saying it gives players some respite off the field. Lynch even threw a jab, noting “I think people might call Californians soft if we were complaining about this,” reminding everyone of his playing days in Florida’s extreme heat with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He thinks the guys will be ready, admitting “there may be cramping issues, but there’s been cramping issues when it’s 75 degrees, too.” He finished by acknowledging that the forecast “kind of keeps trending up for Sunday.”
Tight end George Kittle mirrored Lynch’s sentiment. He said the 49ers are “pretty blessed” with “a nice breeze every single day,” but he’s not viewing Sunday’s heat as an excuse. Kittle pointed to the Dolphins playing in “crazy heat every single day” and East Coast teams dealing with “crazy games at the end of the year.” His solution? “Show up and play football, get an IV.” While that’s the kind of tough talk you want to hear from a leader, history shows it’s easier said than done when the mercury hits extreme levels.
Speaking of getting ready, the 49ers had some guys missing practice Thursday for a second straight day. Wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs), defensive ends Keion White (hamstring) and Nick Bosa (calf), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad), and defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. (ankle) were all out. Defensive ends Romello Height (hand) and Mykel Williams (knee), plus tackle Trent Williams (neck), were limited. On the roster front, wide receiver Brandin Cooks got promoted to the 53-man roster, Malik Turner was signed to the practice squad, and KhaDarel Hodge was waived. All eyes are on Sunday to see how they handle the heat, both literally and figuratively.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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