MINNEAPOLIS -- Greetings from the North Pole. It’s days like today when I assume Minnesota owner Zygi Wilf’s desire for an open-air stadium is just a negotiating ploy to get someone else to pay for a retractable roof. It would be flat-out dangerous to play -- and, especially, watch -- an outdoor football game here today.

The mercury read 18 degrees below zero early this morning and it was 13 below when I arrived at the Metrodome. Luckily, we’re inside the toasty confines of the Dome.

One news item to pass along here: It appears Minnesota nose tackle Pat Williams (elbow) will play Sunday against the New York Giants. Coach Brad Childress said Friday that Williams appeared over the hump with his injury, and Williams told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that he expects to play.