I don't know how you can prepare for 112 degree heat index. On a short week it likely wasn't feasible to go down early to get acclimated. When NE went down early it was the first game of the season...much more time to prepare.
From what I heard from the players and coaches, none of them was using the weather as an excuse. They know they didn't make the plays when they needed to.
Having said all this, with the higher temperatures this planet is experiencing, playing conditions this extreme...that can adversely affect player health...should be avoided. People die of heat exhaustion and heat stroke under lesser conditions.