Though the first month of the 2024 season, weather hardly played a factor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin's team played in a dome in two of their first four games, while their outdoor contest at home and in Denver were met with favorable conditions.
That could change for the first time this year.
As the Steelers prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys, the weather at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday isn't a factor on anyone's mind... but perhaps it should be. The latest forecast from AccuWeather is calling for 'thunderstorms in the area late in the afternoon'.
This could be met with 8-mile-per-hour winds and gusts of up to 21 mph. Potential thunderstorms play a factor, and the Steelers need to brace themselves for the unexpected on Sunday Night Football this week.
How weather could impact Steelers game vs. Cowboys
Anytime we are dealing with thunderstorms, the first thing we have to think about are weather delays. While NFL players will play in the rain, sleet, or snow, they won't be taking the field if there are lightning strikes in the area. With this being a night game, a delayed contest could mean the Steelers vs. Cowboys game won't be over until around midnight.
If the extreme weather conditions come to Pittsburgh on Sunday evening, this game plan for both teams could be altered. This could include more running the football and a harder time cutting on a wet, slippery surface. Additionally, the expected wind gusts could make throwing the ball trickier.
Fortunately, the Steelers' game plan already includes a heavy dose of the rushing attack with play-action mixed in. Pittsburgh ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing entering Week 5 (128.5 yards per game). The Cowboys, meanwhile, rank dead last in the NFL through the first month of the season with just 75.3 rushing yards per game.
If storms come, it could turn a highly-anticipated Steelers vs. Cowboys matchup into a ground-and-pound defensive struggle with the best rushing attack and run defense coming out on top.
We know how quickly the weather conditions can change, and it's possible this contest won't be impacted by the weather on Sunday Night Football. Be sure to check the forecast before the game!