Wind Gusts in Cleveland Threaten Kicking Game for Steelers-Browns
Kevin Roth noted that while passes should be fine, the wind could be an issue on longer field goals.
NFL weather reports usually exist just so a broadcast can show a sideline reporter fighting for their life against a mild drizzle. But tonight's forecast in actually matters.
Meteorologist Kevin Roth is tracking high-resolution data showing wind gusts hitting 20 mph or higher on the shores of Lake Erie as the host the .
A 20 mph gust isn't quite enough to turn a spiral into a boomerang, but it is exactly the kind of invisible menace that makes a 50-plus-yard field goal look like a wounded duck.
Roth notes that while the passing games should survive the breeze, the kicking game is where things get weird. The forecast also calls for a slim chance of raindrops, though the field should stay mostly dry.
If you are staring down a kicker prop or hoping for a late game-winning bomb through the uprights, you might want to factor in the stadium's personal wind tunnel. Kicking in is already a miserable experience without Mother Nature deciding to play special teams.
The Steelers and Browns kick off tonight, so keep an eye on the flags atop the goalposts. When a coach decides to go for it on fourth-and-long instead of trotting out the kicker, you will know exactly why.