By Jason Gonzalez

Minneapolis Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Wallace will imagine lounging under the warm Miami sun with a cold drink in his hand during the hours leading to Sunday’s playoff game at TCF Bank Stadium.

Thinking warm thoughts is necessary for the Vikings receiver to battle the reality of frigid temperatures that should make the Vikings-Seattle matchup among the coldest in NFL history.

“It’s going to be zero degrees,” Wallace exclaimed. “I’ve got to trick myself. … If I go out there like it’s zero degrees, it’s going to be like negative-30 in my mind. So I’ve got to go out there like it’s going to be warm … get me a fake drink and make it feel like I’m on South Beach. I’ll put a little umbrella in there. I’ll be good, probably like 80 degrees.”

The forecast, which changes slightly by the day, called Friday morning for a high temperature of 4 and a low of 10 below. It’ll be partly cloudy, with winds up to 12 mph and a 0 percent chance of snow. That’s a bit of an improvement from early-week forecasts.

The NFL’s resources help limit the sting. Heated benches and blowers line the sidelines. Players are provided coats that could pass as mini tents, hand-warmers to wear around their waists and heating cream.

Each player also has a different method for coping with the challenges associated with extreme cold. Wide receiver Jarius Wright said frozen footballs can feel like bricks hitting your hands, so he stays close to the heaters.

Rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs approaches the cold with a mentality that the ball feels the same, warm or cold. He also planned to spend extra time catching balls outside this week.

“Nobody likes being cold, but you’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” Diggs said.

Defensive back Captain Munnerlyn plans to skip his usual outdoor pregame routine and warm up indoors Sunday. Offensive lineman Mike Harris will break his pregame routine of staying indoors to help himself acclimate to the cold.

“I’m going to go out and just test it and run a few laps just to see how it works for me ‘cause I know it’s going to be rough on our lungs,” Harris said.

Getting ready

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has tried to prepare his team as best as possible by keeping practice outside this week. The outdoor elements have forced players to wear long sleeves and facemasks, but the days have been relatively mild, with highs in the 30s.

It will be 30 degrees colder Sunday, but Wallace and the Vikings might benefit from some sun, if there is any. The visiting sideline is shaded by the stadium, which Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen said he’s heard can create an 8-degree difference between sidelines.

The Vikings also take advantage of the wealth of warming tools on the sideline. Harris, a California native, uses the heaters to keep his knees and hamstrings warm, and before the game coats himself in the warming cream.

Team: Keep your shirt on in the crowd

By Tim Nelson

MPR.org/90.1 FM

The Vikings say Saturday’s playoff against the Seahawks could be the coldest game the team has ever played. Team leaders are urging fans to be smart about the weather. Here, fans take in the action at a game on Dec. 27, 2015. · Adam Bettcher | Getty Images 2015

The Vikings have a word of advice for fans heading for the wild card playoff game at TCF Bank stadium on Sunday: Don’t show up wearing nothing but a gold “V” painted on your bare chest.

Air temperatures during the game are expected to hover around the zero mark, possibly making it one of the coldest NFL games ever. That’s not counting the wind chill potential for the open air football stadium. The Vikings say it could be the coldest game the team has ever played.

“We want our fans to be smart and safe when they are supporting the team,” owner Mark Wilf said in a statement released by the team this morning.

The team says it’s taking some steps of its own to help fans, as well:

• The team will have a limited number of free hand warmers available outside the stadium and at the gates.

• Caribou Coffee is providing free hot coffee in the Fan Zone on Oak Street.

• Mariucci Arena will be open from 9 a.m. until the noon kickoff.

The team is also going to allow non-battery powered blankets into the stadium, as well as other bulwarks against the cold.

“One of the tactics that our rivals use to the east is bringing Styrofoam, or cardboard, newspapers, some items to place under their feet so that you’re not directly on the concrete,” Anderson said. “It’s a tactic that works in other outdoor markets, so we’re encouraging our fans to do that as well.”