Cuando Pittsburgh jugo en Cincinnati el pasado enero, escaparon con una victoria 18-16 en el playoff wildcard, bajo la lluvia. Lo unico mas dificil de predecir que la remontada de ese ultimo cuarto fue el clima. Ojala este proximo juego entre estos dos equipos sea tan apasionante. Y al parecer el clima va a jugar nuevamente un papel preponderante.
De acuerdo a NFLWeather.com, se espera lluvia durante todo el encuentro entre estos dos rivales divisonales. Temperaturas cerca de los 80 con la humedad cercana al 80%. EL viento no deberia ser un gran factor, cerca de los 7mph, pero Heinz Field’s siempre presenta problemas para los pateadores, mas alla del clima. Una superficie lodoza puede ser factor en el juego de equipos especiales.
Steelers-Bengals. Foto cortesia de USA Today.En la victoria bajo la lluvia de Pittsburgh en los pasados playoff, ninguno de los dos equipos fue particularmente impresionante, siendo que ambos quaterbacks tiraron intercepciones y ambos equipos sumaron siete perdidas de balon. Ambos equipos presentaban ausencias de jugadores clave (Andy Dalton, Le’Veon Bell y DeAngelo Williams), pero todos esas figuras deberian estar presentes en este nuevo encuentro, a excepcion de Bell que est cumpliendo su suspension.
Desde 2012, los Steelers (1-0) tienen un impresionante record de 9-2 en partidos con clima adverso. Mas alla de las condiciones, se puede contar con que Ben Roethlisberger no se vera afectado por la lluvia. De acuerdo a NFLWeather.com Analitica, solo una vez en 11 juegos con lluvia Big Ben no tiro touchdowns y en sus ultimos 6 partidos tiene un promedio de 33 pases y 240 yardas. Una lluvizna no afectara a Roethlisberger y Antonio Brown.
Aunque Cincinnati (1-0) jha jugado en menos juegos afectados por la lluvia que Pittsburgh, y presenta un record de 3-3 en los mismos desde 2011, la falta de experiencia de Dalton en malas condiciones no deberia ser sobrevalorada. Sus ultimos dos partidos bajo la lluvia fueron victorias en Denver (2014) y New England (2013). En esos partidos, Dalton completo 37 de 53 intentos para 358 yardas, dos touchdowns y dos intercepciones. Los numeros no parecen gigantes pero 2-0 ante esos equipos ciertamente es importante. Se espera que Jeremy Hill y Giovani Bernard ayuden a Dalton y Hill deberia tener mas acarreos que su rapida contrapartida.
NFLWeather Impact Report: Steelers and Bengals Try to Beat The Rain…..Again
When Pittsburgh stormed into Cincinnati last January, they escaped with a narrow 18-16 AFC wildcard playoff victory in a torrential downpour. The only thing more unpredictable than the miraculous fourth quarter comeback was the weather. Hopefully, this game will be equally as exciting as the last outing. It looks promising that the elements will make another damp and dreary appearance.
According to NFLWeather.com, rain is expected for the entirety of this mouthwatering rematch between bitter AFC North rivals. Temperatures will be in the high-70s with humidity hovering around 80%. The wind shouldn’t be much of a factor, topping out around 7mph, but Heinz Field’s open end zone has always been a problem for kickers, rain or shine. And, a muddy grass surface could be the difference factor in the special teams department for both sides.
Steelers-Bengals. Photo courtesy of USA Today.In Pittsburgh’s rainy playoff win, neither team was particularly impressive as each quarterback threw a pick and both sides combined for seven fumbles (four recovered by opposing team). Despite both teams missing key players (Andy Dalton for Cincy was sidelined and the Steelers were forced to start a third string RB with Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams done for the season), all the heavy hitters will be back for this one, with the exception of Bell serving his suspension.
Since 2012, the Steelers (1-0) have posted an impressive 9-2 record in weather impacted matchups. Regardless of conditions, one player we can bank on that won’t be phased by the rain is Ben Roethlisberger. According to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, only once in 11 rain games has Big Ben not thrown a touchdown pass and in his last six weather-related matchups, he’s averaged 33 passing attempts and over 240 yards. A little drizzle doesn’t deter Roethlisberger from finding his top target as Antonio Brown has averaged over 10 targets a game in the rain.
Even though Cincinnati (1-0) has played in fewer weather-related games than Pittsburgh, posting a 3-3 record since 2011, don’t let Dalton’s lack of experience in crummy conditions fool you. His last two starts in the rain resulted in wins over tough Denver (2014) and New England (2013) teams while star wideout AJ Green was a complete non-factor against the Broncos. In those pivotal wins, Dalton completed 37-of-53 attempts for 358 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. The stats might not be anything to gloat about but a 2-0 record against both of those juggernauts certainly is. Expect Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard to alleviate some of the pressure off Dalton in the rain-soaked rivalry with Hill likely to see significantly more carries than his speedy counterpart.
