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Nightmarish weather adds another delay to Steelers vs. Cowboys SNF showdown

This isn't the weather news we were hoping to hear.

By Tommy Jaggi

Jul 28, 2017; Latrobe, PA, USA;The grounds crew at Saint Vincent College cover the fields during a rain delay at the start of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jul 28, 2017; Latrobe, PA, USA;The grounds crew at Saint Vincent College cover the fields during a rain delay at the start of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Well, this is unfortunate. Steelers and Cowboys fans have been waiting four long years to see these two historic franchises go toe-toe-toe. Now they're going to wait a while longer.

On Friday, I wrote about how the weather forecast for Sunday Night Football looked concerning. Thunderstorms threatened the field conditions of this matchup and caused a lengthy delay.

But it's not over yet.

With lightning strikes still being spotted at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, this could go on for a while. For the game to kickoff, we need to see a 30-minute stretch without any lightning spotted in the area followed by 20 minutes for players on both teams to warm up before the game.

Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team confirmed at nearly 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time that this game will be delayed at least another 30 minutes.

For what it's worth, teams can choose to decline the extra warmup time before starting. But considering the added injury risk to a pair of teams already decimated by injuries, this seems like an unwise decision.

At this rate, we could be trending toward one of the latest-finishing games in NFL history. Kickoff won't come until well after 9:00 p.m. ET, and if this game is going to be played tonight, it won't finish until well after midnight.

If you really want to catch the Steelers and Cowboys tonight, you may need to take a sick day or a power nap.

Steelers' weather delay could spell disaster

If multiple lightning delays aren't bad enough, the staff at Acrisure Stadium chose to leave the field uncovered. This could make for disastrous field conditions if and when the players finally get out there.

Hypothetically, this should favor a run-centric team like the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if the field conditions are poor, it could negatively impact the pass rushers in this contest.

If this game gets played tonight, players on both sides are going to have a heck of a time finding their footing. Hang tight! We are in for a long night!

Update: ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported the Steelers vs. Cowboys Sunday Night Football game is expected to kick off at 9:45 p.m. ET.

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