Many British sporting lovers disregard American football, with its stoppages, brutality and commercial crassness, as nonsense. They have a point. But at least the gridiron gang play in the snow.
It was an NFL whiteout at the weekend, but while in Blighty the gritters are out if there is the possibility of an inch of snowy slush, in America they play in a blizzard.
Had you have tuned into Sky Sports 3 on Sunday night you would have seen the ridiculously superb sight of Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles players going hammer and tong in what appeared to be Antarctica. Only it was Fort Field stadium, in Michigan.
Philadelphia Eagles' Mychal Kendricks tackles Joique Bell in the blizzard
The freezing conditions weren't enough to dissuade the cheerleaders from wielding their pom poms, either, as they wowed a crowd that was just delighted the game went ahead.
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy capitalised on the mini avalanche to rush for a franchise-record 217 yards and two touchdowns, as they beat the Lions 34-20.
Disappointingly, he didn't do a Shefki Kuqi-style swan-dive into the snow.
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(01 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles slides on the ground to get the first down in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(02 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles slides on the ground to get the first down in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(03 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles slides on the ground to get the first down in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(04 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Ndamukong Suh #90 and Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Detroit Lions walk off the field after the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(05 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to quiet the crowd as he readies for the snap in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(06 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(07 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes the catch for a successful two point conversion in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(08 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Evan Mathis #69 and Todd Herremans #79 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(09 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Stadium workers try and clear the lines during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(10 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a fumble was recovered by the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(11 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes the catch and carries the ball for the first down in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(12 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Running back Bryce Brown #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by teammate offensive tackle Lane Johnson #65 after scoring a two point conversion after a touchdown in the fourth quarter during against the Detroit Lions a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(13 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Tight end Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs after making a catch in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(14 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles eludes the tackle of safety Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions as he runs for a 40 yard touchdown in the third quarter during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(15 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: A member of the grounds crew uses a blower to clear the yard lines during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(16 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(17 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by teammate Riley Cooper #14 after catching a 19 yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(18 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Running back Joique Bell #35 of the Detroit Lions attempts to get past cornerback Cary Williams #26 the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(19 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Running back Joique Bell #35 of the Detroit Lions is tackled by linebacker Connor Barwin #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(20 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: A member of the grounds crew uses a blower to clear the yard lines during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(21 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs off the field after defeating the Detroit Lions 34-20 in a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(22 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by Jeremy Ross #12 of the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(23 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions fumbles the ball as he tackled by Mychal Kendricks #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(24 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Bryce Brown #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles avoids getting tackled by Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions 34-20. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(25 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after failing to get the first down in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(26 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: The Philadelphia Eagles mascot runs onto the field before the game against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(27 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions and the rest of his teammates line up as the national anthem is sung before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(28 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Stadium workers try and clear the lines during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(29 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Stadium workers try and clear the lines during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(30 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Fans watch the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(31 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Stadium workers try and clear the lines during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(32 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up in the snow before the start of a game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(33 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles signals to teammates in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(34 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Stadium workers try and clear the lines during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(35 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out the play in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(36 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Ezekiel Ansah #94 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(37 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Nick Fairley #98 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(38 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Brandon Boykin #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(39 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Jeremy Ross #12 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ross returned a punt for the touchdown. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(40 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball as Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(41 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to make the catch as Rashean Mathis #31 of the Detroit Lions defends on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(42 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Jeremy Ross #12 of the Detroit Lions returns a punt as Brad Smith #16 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ross ran the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles(43 of43)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Safety Patrick Chung #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a fumble recovery against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)