Despite massive week one road wins for Kansas City and Philadelphia, it may literarily and metaphorically rain on someone’s unbeaten parade this weekend when both the Eagles and mid-western storms visit Kansas City on Sunday.
According to NFLWeather.com, rain is expected both in the morning and early evening so intermittent showers during the game are very much a possibility. The Saturday forecast in Kansas City calls for a 20% chance of precipitation so the grass surface inside Arrowhead Stadium could end up getting pretty sloppy come the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 1pm EST kickoff. So even if the forecast remains partly cloudy at game time, the slick surface could cause a couple of turnovers.
Alex Smith. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Wind isn’t expected to be much of a factor, maxing out around 5-7 mph, and humidity won’t be too overwhelming with temperatures likely to be in the mid-70s for most of the game.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia (1-0), the Eagles don’t seem to play their best football when weather is a factor. According to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, Philly is only 2-5 in rain games since 2009 and 1-2 on the road during that span.
The most recent rain game being a December 2016 loss in Baltimore, 27-26, where Carson Wentz fumbled twice and threw an interception. Even though the team rushed 38 times for 169 yards, forcing Wentz to drop back 42 times (only completed 22 attempts) was not the winning formula then and it certainly won’t be today. The offensive workhorse needs to be bruising back LeGarrette Blount if Philly can escape week two with a second consecutive win away from home.
On the other hand, Kansas City (1-0) has been superb in weather impacted games, especially at home. Since 2010, the Chiefs are 8-4 in rain games and 3-0 at Arrowhead. Much of that can be attributed to the team’s sensational defense, surrendering 22 points or more only three times over that 12 game span and allowing on average only 17.3 points per game.
Aside from the Chiefs’ stout defense, one surprising constant in KC has been veteran quarterback Alex Smith. Last season in weather-related games, Smith averaged over 34 drop backs per game, had an impressive 65% completion percentage and managed to post a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1:1. He’ll be on the lookout for his top target Tyreek Hill and red zone threat Travis Kelce.
But just like Philly’s chances for offensive success, the ground game will ultimately have to reign supreme in a game where avoiding turnovers and winning the time of possession battle are absolutely crucial. Kareem Hunt will be the top dog in a backfield that is 4-0 in the rain since 2015 when the RB corps sees 20+ touches.
In two extremely competitive divisions where every win matters, grinding out an early season in the rain could be the difference maker in playing in a January wildcard game and cleaning out the locker. Every turnover, every first down, every muddy yard will matter on Sunday. Smash mouth football will be at its finest in Missouri this weekend, and it’s only week two!
Despite massive week one road wins for Kansas City and Philadelphia, it may literarily and metaphorically rain on someone’s unbeaten parade this weekend when both the Eagles and mid-western storms visit Kansas City on Sunday.
According to NFLWeather.com, rain is expected both in the morning and early evening so intermittent showers during the game are very much a possibility. The Saturday forecast in Kansas City calls for a 20% chance of precipitation so the grass surface inside Arrowhead Stadium could end up getting pretty sloppy come the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 1pm EST kickoff. So even if the forecast remains partly cloudy at game time, the slick surface could cause a couple of turnovers.
Alex Smith. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Wind isn’t expected to be much of a factor, maxing out around 5-7 mph, and humidity won’t be too overwhelming with temperatures likely to be in the mid-70s for most of the game.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia (1-0), the Eagles don’t seem to play their best football when weather is a factor. According to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, Philly is only 2-5 in rain games since 2009 and 1-2 on the road during that span.
The most recent rain game being a December 2016 loss in Baltimore, 27-26, where Carson Wentz fumbled twice and threw an interception. Even though the team rushed 38 times for 169 yards, forcing Wentz to drop back 42 times (only completed 22 attempts) was not the winning formula then and it certainly won’t be today. The offensive workhorse needs to be bruising back LeGarrette Blount if Philly can escape week two with a second consecutive win away from home.
On the other hand, Kansas City (1-0) has been superb in weather impacted games, especially at home. Since 2010, the Chiefs are 8-4 in rain games and 3-0 at Arrowhead. Much of that can be attributed to the team’s sensational defense, surrendering 22 points or more only three times over that 12 game span and allowing on average only 17.3 points per game.
Aside from the Chiefs’ stout defense, one surprising constant in KC has been veteran quarterback Alex Smith. Last season in weather-related games, Smith averaged over 34 drop backs per game, had an impressive 65% completion percentage and managed to post a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1:1. He’ll be on the lookout for his top target Tyreek Hill and red zone threat Travis Kelce.
But just like Philly’s chances for offensive success, the ground game will ultimately have to reign supreme in a game where avoiding turnovers and winning the time of possession battle are absolutely crucial. Kareem Hunt will be the top dog in a backfield that is 4-0 in the rain since 2015 when the RB corps sees 20+ touches.
In two extremely competitive divisions where every win matters, grinding out an early season in the rain could be the difference maker in playing in a January wildcard game and cleaning out the locker. Every turnover, every first down, every muddy yard will matter on Sunday. Smash mouth football will be at its finest in Missouri this weekend, and it’s only week two!
As hurricane season peaks and powerful storms pummel the coast, the National Football League is forcing the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take cover week one and reschedule their season opener for week 11 as Florida and the majority of the southern east coast brace for Hurricane Irma.
Just over a week after Hurricane Harvey mercilessly ripped through Texas and Louisiana, Mother Nature is on another collision course with Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas; and is expected to hit the coast by the weekend. The NFL debated between moving the game up a few days to Thursday night, playing in a different city or pushing it back until later in the season; ultimately opting to play the game later in the season when both teams have their schedule bye week in mid-November.
Up until the game was officially postponed on Tuesday, the same day Irma was upgraded to a Category 5 Hurricane, both teams were still prepping as though the Sunday 1pm kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was still the game plan. Had the hurricane not been on a kamikaze mission with the Caribbean, a little rain would not have phased Tampa Bay nor Miami given both teams are extremely familiar with late-summer Florida heat and precipitation, and rain games in general having both played in a two-a-piece last season.
According to NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, both sides combined for a 1-3 record in rain games last season and a combined 4-10 record since 2009. Not exactly an encouraging statistic for either team, however, but Miami is 3-3 at home over that span which includes a rain game win in December over Arizona, 26-23.
Prior to the ‘Phins-Bucs game officially being rescheduled to week 11, according to NFLWeather.com, conditions were expected to be extremely rainy with dangerous winds and precipitation was only going to get heavier and heavier as the game endured. Humidity would have made the 80-degree day felt more like the mid-to-low 90’s so a sticky, muggy afternoon was in store had the storms not been expected.
Come week 11, if Mother Nature rears her ugly head in Florida for the rescheduled matchup, check back with NFLWeather.com and we’ll be here for the coverage…. Again!
As hurricane season peaks and powerful storms pummel the coast, the National Football League is forcing the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take cover week one and reschedule their season opener for week 11 as Florida and the majority of the southern east coast brace for Hurricane Irma.
Just over a week after Hurricane Harvey mercilessly ripped through Texas and Louisiana, Mother Nature is on another collision course with Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas; and is expected to hit the coast by the weekend. The NFL debated between moving the game up a few days to Thursday night, playing in a different city or pushing it back until later in the season; ultimately opting to play the game later in the season when both teams have their schedule bye week in mid-November.
Up until the game was officially postponed on Tuesday, the same day Irma was upgraded to a Category 5 Hurricane, both teams were still prepping as though the Sunday 1pm kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was still the game plan. Had the hurricane not been on a kamikaze mission with the Caribbean, a little rain would not have phased Tampa Bay nor Miami given both teams are extremely familiar with late-summer Florida heat and precipitation, and rain games in general having both played in a two-a-piece last season.
According to NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, both sides combined for a 1-3 record in rain games last season and a combined 4-10 record since 2009. Not exactly an encouraging statistic for either team, however, but Miami is 3-3 at home over that span which includes a rain game win in December over Arizona, 26-23.
Prior to the ‘Phins-Bucs game officially being rescheduled to week 11, according to NFLWeather.com, conditions were expected to be extremely rainy with dangerous winds and precipitation was only going to get heavier and heavier as the game endured. Humidity would have made the 80-degree day felt more like the mid-to-low 90’s so a sticky, muggy afternoon was in store had the storms not been expected.
Come week 11, if Mother Nature rears her ugly head in Florida for the rescheduled matchup, check back with NFLWeather.com and we’ll be here for the coverage…. Again!
The NFL officially postponed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Miami Dolphins tilt until Week 11, due to hurricane Irma. You an read the official anouncement here.
We have updated our database to reflect this. The link to the new game page is here.
Ambas franquicias se han enfrentado en similares circunstancias, dos veces desde 2002, pero nunca los Patriots han recibido a los Steelers en un choque por el título de la AFC en Foxboro, y en los dos combates anteriores nunca fue factor el clima. Bueno, parece que el paisaje y las condiciones han cambiado. Pittsburgh se dirigirá a Nueva Inglaterra para el partido de campeonato de Conferencia de la AFC en una fria noche el domingo en el estadio Gillette.
De acuerdo con NFLWeather.com , las temperaturas el inicio del juego apenas superarán los 40 grados y se sentirá 5-10 grados más frío que lo que lee el termómetro. Aunque las precipitaciones no se esperan a las 6:40 pm hora del este (momento del inicio del encuentro), hay una pequeña posibilidad de lluvia una vez que las temperaturas desciendan durante la segunda mitad. A partir del jueves, el pronóstico habla de vientos que alcanzaran las 10-12 mph, pero quién sabe si las condiciones del invierno empeorarán en Foxboro antes del domingo.
LeGarrette Blount. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Pero este frente de inviernal no deberia afectar a ninguno de los dos equipos, ya que ambos jugaron en climas gelidos hace apenas una semana durante las victorias en la ronda divisional de la AFC. De hecho, cuatro de los últimos cinco partidos de Pittsburgh cayeron por debajo de los 32 grados mientras que los otros dos seguían por debajo de los 40. Los Steelers terminaron ganando los seis juegos, pero la experiencia en condiciones árticas por sí sola no será suficiente para conseguir una ventaja temprana sobre Tom Brady en el enfrentamiento del domingo en Nueva Inglaterra, donde los Pats aparentemente nunca pierden, especialmente cuando la temporada está en juego.
No es ningún secreto que los Patriots son casi inmejorables en casa en el mes de enero, pero el equipo no ha sido exactamente impecable como la mayoría esperaría. Los Pats estan 10-3 en casa en enero desde 2010 pero sorprendentemente menos de la mitad de los encuentros presentaron temperaturas de congelación. Cuando la temperatura baja por debajo de la congelación, de acuerdo con la Analitica Historica de NFLWeather.com, Nueva Inglaterra tiene un record de 13-2 en casa y 18-4 en general desde 2009.
Gran parte de ese éxito se puede atribuir al líder inquebrantable del equipo, el mariscal de campo, tres veces ganador del Super Bowl Tom Brady. Tom Terrific no parece permitir que los elementos lo afecten con un record de 9-1 en sus últimos 10 juegos impactados por el clima y ha anclado una ofensiva que tiene un promedio de más de 35 puntos por partido. Incluso cuando las condiciones meteorológicas se pronostican adversas, Brady todavía promedia 36 pases completos por partido y poco cambiará contra Pittsburgh en un partido que podría ser explosivo en cuanto a puntos anotados.
Julian Edelman, a quien Brady a buscado con sus pases mas de diez veces en siete de los últimos ocho partidos, continuara siendo su primera opcion seguido por un par de alas abiertas cuestionables en Chris Hogan y Malcolm Mitchell. Si uno de los dos no puede ser de la partida, el recién adquirido veterano y ex Cardenal de Arizona Michael Floyd podría tener una tarde decente. Tight End Martellus Bennett, quien estuvo limtado en la práctica del jueves junto con Hogan Y Mitchell, ha reemplazado muy bien a Gronk esta temporada y verá un montón de acción cerca de la zona roja, junto con pases de pocas yardas, especialmente se levantan fuertes vientos o si finalmente hay precipitaciones.
Nueva Inglaterra tiene muchas sólidas opciones de pase, pero el arma que no tendrá el domingo es una superestrella como Antonio Brown. A.B. vio objetivos de dos dígitos en 11 de 16 partidos esta temporada y cuando el clima es un factor, parece que se involucra aún más. A principios de diciembre durante un viaje a Buffalo bajo la nieve, Brown vio 11 pases y durante los playoffs de 2016 solamente ha sido blanco 20 veces. Si Nueva Inglaterra no puede interrumpir la química de AB con Ben Roethlisberger, los Pats podrían tener un problema este fin de semana.
Hablando de Roethlisberger, no hay mejor mariscal de campo en la liga en partidos de malas condiciones climaticas, especialmente en la postemporada. Pittsburgh tiene un record de 12-2 en juegos impactados por el clima desde 2012 y lo más impresionante, sólo entrego el balon seis veces. Si puede evitar las pérdidas de balón como hizo hace una semana en la tundra congelada de Kansas City, Big Ben y compañía podrían mantener este partido a mano.
Pero eso también dependerá de cuánto afecte el juego Le'Veon Bell contra una defensa de Nueva Inglaterra que permitió menos de 90 yardas por yarda por juego durante la temporada regular. Pittsburgh tuvo que soportar las temperaturas de congelación en cada una de las últimas dos semanas y prevaleció, en gran parte gracias al juego imparable de Bell. En los últimos dos juegos, Bell ha acumulado 237 yardas en 59 acarreos y dos anotaciones. Eso ni siquiera incluye su contribución en el juego aereo que incluyó cuatro recepciones en siete pases. Seis veces esta temporada Bell le lanzaron el balon siete veces o más por lo que se espera que este fuertemente involucrado tanto en el juego terrestre como en el aereo, algo que ya es tradicion para Pittsburgh.
Su contraparte y ex compañero de equipo, LaGarrette Blount, intentera atormentar a su antiguo equipo. Blount es back ideal para las duras condiciones de juego y debería ver una carga de trabajo ligeramente más pesada que Dion Lewis, ya que Pittsburgh ha tenido más problemas contra los RB más fuertes esta temporada. Blount sólo vio ocho acarreos la semana pasada, siendo esta la primera vez que tubo menos de diez acarreos esta temporada, se espera que ese número se duplique el domingo.
Al igual que los Pats, Pittsburgh ha tenido un montón de éxito en enero en los últimos años y por suerte para la Nación Steeler el Negro y Oro tiene un récord de visitante aún mejor que en Heinz Field. Desde 2009, Pittsburgh esta 6-2 de visitante en enero y 10-3 en general y cuando las temperaturas están por debajo de la congelación, los Steelers presentan un asombroso 7-1 de visitante y 14-4 en general. Cuando la nieve cae, al parecer, tambien lo hace la cortina de acero dado que la defensa, de visitante en condiciones de congelación, ha permitido tan solo 17,8 puntos por partido en las últimas siete temporadas.
Prever al equipo negro y oro venciendo a Brady en Foxboro este fin de semana parece casi imposible. Después de todo, han pasado más de cinco años desde que Pittsburgh venció por última vez a los Pats y una victoria en Nueva Inglaterra es una de las pocas hazañas que Big Ben todavía tiene que conquistar en su carrera profesional. Después de dos derrotas en el Campeonato de la AFC en casa en un lapso de tres años, aunque fue hace aproximadamente 15 años, los Acereros siguen ansiosos de venganza. No olvidemos que la venganza es un plato mejor servido frío y estara muy frío Foxboro este domingo.
Both of these storied franchises have met in similar potential Super Bowl-bound circumstances before, twice since 2002, but never have the Patriots hosted the Steelers in a clash for the AFC title in Foxboro and in the previous two bouts, never was weather much of a factor. Well, it looks like the scenery and conditions have changed. Pittsburgh will head to New England for the AFC Conference Championship game on a chilly Sunday evening inside Gillette Stadium.
According to NFLWeather.com, game time temperatures will only top out in the mid-to-low 40’s and most of the time it will feel 5-10 degrees colder than what the thermometer reads. Even though precipitation isn’t expected around kickoff at 6:40 pm EST, there’s a small chance once the temps drop in the second half that rain or flurries could fall from the overcast skies. As of Thursday, the forecast called for winds to max out around 10-12 mph, but who knows if winter conditions will worsen in Foxboro before Sunday.
LeGarrette Blount. Photo courtesy of USA Today.But a frigid winter front shouldn’t faze either team, having both played in sub-freezing temps just a week ago during victories in the AFC Divisional round. In fact, four of Pittsburgh’s last five games dipped below 32 degrees while the other two were still below 40. The Steelers ended up winning all six games but experience in arctic conditions alone won’t nearly be enough to get an early edge on Tom Brady heading into Sunday’s showdown in New England where the Pats seemingly never lose, especially when the season is on the line.
It’s no secret that the Patriots are almost unbeatable at home in the month of January, but the team hasn’t exactly been flawless as most would expect. The Pats are 10-3 at home in Jan. since 2010 but surprisingly less than half of those contests featured freezing temperatures. When the temp does dip below freezing, according to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, New England is 13-2 at home and 18-4 overall since 2009.
Much of that success can be credited to the team’s unshakeable leader under center, three-time Super Bowl winning MVP Tom Brady. Tom Terrific doesn’t seem to let the elements ever get to him who is 9-1 in his last 10 games impacted by weather and has anchored an offense that’s averaged over 35 points per game. Even when weather concerns are in the forecast, Brady still averages 36 passing attempts per game and little will change against Pittsburgh given this matchup between two high powered offenses could turn into an explosive shootout.
Julian Edelman, who’s seen double-digit targets in seven of the last eight games, will be Brady’s go-to option followed by a pair of questionable wide outs in Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell. If one of the two can’t go, newly acquired veteran and former Arizona Cardinal Michael Floyd could have a decent afternoon. Tight End Martellus Bennett, who was limited in practice on Thursday with Hogan and Mitchell, has filled in nicely for Gronk this season and will see plenty of action close to the red zone along with short yardage passing situations, especially if precipitation ends up falling or winds heavily pick up.
New England has plenty of solid receiving options but the one weapon they won’t have Sunday is a superstar wide-out like the Steelers have in Antonio Brown. A.B. saw double-digit targets in 11-of-16 games this season and when weather is a factor, he seems to get involved even more. In early December during a trip to snowy Buffalo, Brown saw 11 passes come his way and during the 2016 playoffs alone, he’s been targeted 20 times. If New England can’t disrupt AB’s chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger, the Pats could easily get upset this weekend.
Speaking of Roethlisberger, it’s a legitimate argument that there might not be a better quarterback in the league to have under center in crummy conditions, especially in the postseason. The large-framed scrambler has lead Pittsburgh to a 12-2 record in weather impacted games since 2012 and most impressively, only turned the ball over six times. If he can avoid the turnovers like he did a week ago in Kansas City’s frozen tundra, Big Ben and company could keep this one close.
But that will also depend on how much of a factor Le’Veon Bell will be against a New England defense that allowed less than 90 rushing yards per game during the regular season. Pittsburgh had to endure freezing temperatures in each of the last two weeks and prevailed, much in part thanks to Bell’s unstoppable play. Over the last two games, Bell has amassed 237 yards from 59 touches and two scores. That doesn’t even include his contribution to the passing game which featured four catches from seven targets. Six times this season Bell was targeted seven times or more so expect him to be heavily involved in both the rushing and passing game, as per weekly tradition.
His counterpart across the field and former teammate when he was a Steeler, LaGarrette Blount, will be out to haunt his old club. Blount is an ideal bruising back for harsh playing conditions and he should see a slightly heavier workload than Dion Lewis since Pittsburgh has had more trouble against the more pounding RB’s in the league this season. Blount only saw eight carries last week, the first time he saw single-digit touches in a game this season so expect that number to potentially double.
Like the Pats, Pittsburgh has had plenty of January success over the last few years and lucky for Steeler Nation that the Black and Gold have an even better road record than at Heinz Field. Since 2009, Pittsburgh is 6-2 on the road in January. and 10-3 overall and when temps are below freezing, the Steelers are an astonishing 7-1 on the road and 14-4 overall. As the snow falls, apparently so does the Steel Curtain given the defense on the road in freezing conditions has surrendered a mere 17.8 points per game over the last seven seasons.
Envisioning the Black and Gold beating Brady in Foxboro this weekend seems next to impossible. After all, it’s been over five years since Pittsburgh last beat the Pats and a win in New England is one of the few feats Big Ben has yet to conquer in his Super Bowl-winning NFL career. After two AFC Championship losses at home within a three-year span, even though it was roughly 15 years ago, the Steelers are still itching for revenge. Let’s not forget that revenge is a dish best served cold and it’ll be colder than a witch’s tit in Foxboro on Sunday.
Los Chiefs y Steelers han soportado todo tipo de problemas meteorológicos en esta temporada. Por lo tanto, parece apropiado que el el pronóstico del domingo en Kansas City está indicando condiciones árticas con temperaturas de congelación y precipitaciones mixtas para este combate de la ronda divisional de los playoffs de la AFC.
De acuerdo con NFLWeather.com , de dos a cuatro pulgadas de nieve se pronostican para el domingo con las temperaturas oscilando alrededor del punto de congelación. Pero, si las temperaturas suben a medida que avanza el juego, la nieve podría potencialmente convertirse en una lluvia helada. Aunque las temperaturas estaran alrededor de 30-32 antes del partido, el mínimo de siete mph de viento frio hará que se sienta más cerca de los 20 grados. La superficie de pasto del Arrowhead Stadium ya ha sido golpeada esta temporada, y si la nieve eventualmente se convierte en lluvia, el ritmo del juego podría deternerse por completo.
Travis Kelce. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Kansas City (12-4) no ha jugado en un partido con nieve esta temporada, pero estan 2-1 en la lluvia y 1-1 en condiciones de congelación . El tiempo fue factor cuando perdieron en Pittsburgh en la cuarta semana, 43-14 , por lo que KC tendrá como objetivo utilizar el clima para su ventaja, ya que ya ha jugado en tres partidos impactados por el clima desde principios de diciembre por lo que incorporar el estado del tiempo en el plan de juego no deberia ser mucho problema. Especialmente saliendo de una fecha libre. El entrenador en jefe Andy Reid tiene un record de 19-2 después de una fecha libre en el transcurso de su carrera.
Pero para obtener la dulce redención sobre los Steelers, la ofensiva de los Chiefs tendrá que hacer lo que no podu hacer contra ellos antes, y eso es mover el balón y reducir los tres-y-fuera que le permitieron a Pittsburgh demasiadas oportunidades a la ofensiva.
El mariscal de campo Alex Smith, quien completó 30 de 50 intentos para 287 yardas con un par de TD's y una entrega frente a Pittsburgh , tiene un impresionante 65% de pases completos en los juegos impactados por el clima este año y necesitará un juego libre de entregas para avanzar al juego de campeonato de la AFC. Este año, cuando el clima es un factor, Smith sigue intento más de 32 pases por juego acumulando cerca de 240 yardas con una relación de touchdown a intercepción de 1:1. No necesariamente unas estadísticas intimidantes, pero es evidente que todavía obtiene la luz para pasar a menudo incluso en condiciones desfavorables por lo que Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin y Tyreek Hill verá un montón de pases contra una secundaria inconsistente.
Smith ha tenido la suerte de tener un backfield formidable detrás de él, incluso en ausencia de Jamaal Charles durante todo el año. Spencer Ware se ha alzado y ha servido como corredor titular y aunque sólo promedió menos de 18 acarreos en juegos con mal clima esta temporada, verá una carga de trabajo pesada contra una defensa de los Steelers que permitio 405 yardas por tierra en los últimos tres partidos. A pesar de su limitada carga en condiciones desfavorables, ha promediado 80 yardas en la tierra por juego en estos casos.
Un jugador que sin duda no tendrá que preocuparse por su participación ofensiva es el punto focal de toda la ofensiva de Pittsburgh, Le'Veon Bell. En su corta carrera de solo cinco juegos en mal tiempo, Bell ha anotado un 673 yardas (134 ypp) y cinco touchdowns. Su talento fue mejor exhibido en la nieve de Buffaloen la semana 14, cuando Bell corrio para 236 yardas en 38 acarreos y anoto un trío de TD's. Él es el corredor ideal para la lluvia o la nieve y si KC no lo mantiene contenido, los Steelers se dirigen a su primer juego de campeonato en seis años y noveno en 23.
De acuerdo con la Analitica Historica de NFLWeather.com, desde 2009 Pittsburgh (12-5) esta 15-5 cuando las precipitaciones son un factor y mucho de eso se puede acreditar al juego estoico de Ben Roethlisberger. A pesar de las malas condiciones, Big Ben todavía promedia más de 30 intentos de pase y casi 245 yardas por juego. Pero su stadistica en juegos de lluvia más impresionante es su relación TD-a-INTde 28:9.
No es ningún secreto quien sera el objetivo principal de Ben. Antonio Brown, la semana pasada contra Miami, tuvo 124 yardas y dos anotcaiones en camino a una victoria 30-12 en el wildcard contra los delfines. Contra KC esta temporada AB sólo tuvo cuatro recepciones, pero convirtió la mitad de esas jugadas en puntuaciones. Brown y Bell serán el uno-dos pero el veloz receptor Eli Rogers y probablemente el Ala cerrada Jesse James podrían ver oportunidades de encontrar la zona de anotacion.
Parece apropiado que estas defensas de estilos similares y fisicos choquen en condiciones heladas, y cualquiera que sea la unidad defensiva que pueda crear la mayor cantidad de pérdidas de balón probablemente sea la que se dirija al juego de Campeonato de la AFC en Nueva Inglaterra (salvo un milagro). Con posiblemente dos partidos de playoff divisionales jugandose bajo techo (no hay noticias aún sobre el domo en Dallas), el mejor de los cuatro juegos podría terminar siendo este enfrentamiento en Kansas City.
Ambos equipos son dos de los mejores de la AFC en juegos de mal tiempo, registrando un récord combinado de 24-10 en los juegos impactados por el clima desde 2009. Ninguno de los equipos parece permitir que los elementos naturales los afecten. Veremos la presión de los playoffs mezclada con lluvia helada cambiará eso.
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The Chiefs and Steelers have both endured seemingly every type of weather distraction this season. So, it seems only fitting that the Sunday forecast in Kansas City is calling for arctic conditions featuring freezing temperatures and mixed precipitation for this black and blue AFC Divisional Playoff bout.
According to NFLWeather.com, two-to-four inches of snow is predicted in the Sunday forecast with temperatures teetering around freezing. But, if the temperatures go up as the game goes on, the snow could potentially turn to a freezing rain. Even though pregame temps will be around 30-32 °, the minimal seven mph wind chill will make it feel closer to mid-to-low 20’s. The grass surface inside Arrowhead Stadium has already taken a beating this season, and if the snow eventually turns to rain, the pace of the game could come to a muddy and grinding halt.
Travis Kelce. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Kansas City (12-4) hasn’t played in a snow game this season but the Chiefs are 2-1 in the rain and 1-1 in freezing conditions. Weather wasn’t a factor when they were pummeled at Pittsburgh in week four, 43-14, so KC will be aiming to use that to their advantage, having already hosted three weather-related games since early December so factoring Mother Nature into the game plan shouldn’t be much of an issue. Especially coming off of a bye, where head coach Andy Reid is 19-2 following a bye over the course of his career.
But in order for sweet redemption over the Steelers, the offense will need to do what it couldn’t against them earlier, and that’s move the ball and reduce the three-and-outs which were allowing Pittsburgh entirely too many opportunities on offense.
Quarterback Alex Smith, who completed 30-of-50 attempts for 287 yards with a pair of TD’s and a turnover against Pittsburgh, has an impressive 65% completion percentage in weather impacted games this year and will need a turnover free game in order to advance to the AFC Championship. This year on average when weather is a factor, Smith still drops back over 32 times per game and racks up close to 240 passing yards with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1:1. Not necessarily intimidating statistics, but it’s evident he still gets the green light to pass often even in unfavorable conditions so Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin and Tyreek Hill will see plenty of targets against an inconsistent secondary.
Smith has been fortunate to have a formidable backfield behind him, even in the absence of Jamaal Charles all year. Spencer Ware has stepped up and served as the top back and even though he’s only averaged under 18 carries a game in weather games this season, he’ll see a heavy workload against a Steelers’ D that’s surrendered 405 rushing yards over the last three games. Despite his limited carries in crummy conditions, Ware still has managed to average 80 yards on the ground per game.
One player that certainly won’t have to worry about his offensive involvement is the focal point of Pittsburgh’s entire offense, running back Le’Veon Bell. In his short career, spanning only five weather-related games, Bell has tallied a remarkable 673 yards (134 ypg) and five touchdowns. His talent was best showcased in the wintery Buffalo snow back in week 14 when Bell barreled thru the Bills defense for 236 yards on 38 carries and a trio of TD’s. He’s the ideal back for rain or snow and if KC doesn’t keep him contained, the Steelers are headed to their first AFC Championship game in six years and ninth in 23.
According to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, since 2009 Pittsburgh (12-5) is 15-5 when precipitation is a factor and much of that can likely be credited to the stoic and scrambling play of Ben Roethlisberger. Despite poor conditions, Big Ben still averages over 30 passing attempts and almost 245 passing yards per game. But his most impressive rain game stat is a remarkable TD-to-INT ratio of 28:9.
It’s no secret who Ben’s top target will be, as Antonio Brown went off last week against Miami for 124 yards and two scores en route to a 30-12 Wildcard drumming of the Dolphins. Against KC weeks ago, AB only had four receptions but he turned half of those grabs into scores. Brown and Bell will be the one-two punch but speedy slot receiver Eli Rogers and, if Ladarius Green can’t go, tight end Jesse James could see another opportunity to find the end zone for the second time against KC this season.
It’s only fitting that both black and blue style defenses will clash in Ice Bowl-like conditions, and whichever defensive unit can create the most turnovers will likely be headed to the AFC Championship in New England (barring a miracle). With possibly two NFL Divisional Playoff games in the cozy confines of indoors (No word yet on the Dallas Dome), the best of all four games could end up being the sloppy slugfest in KC.
Both sides are two of the AFC’s best in bad weather outings, posting a combined 24-10 record in weather impacted games since 2009. Neither team seems to let the natural elements get to them but we’ll see if a little playoff pressure mixed with freezing rain will change that.
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