Steelers vs. Bills Weather Forecast: Wind Impact on Game Total

https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.c...impact-game-total-afc-wild-card-playoff-game/

This article is from a betting site, with evidence for betting the Under on the point total. I'm much more interested in the football tactics for playing in such windy conditions.

The Steelers can't simulate the windy conditions they'll face in Buffalo, even practicing outside at Acrisure. Will be interesting to see the game plan unfold. It will show how they prepared for both the Bills and the weather.

Winning the coin toss will be significant. Playing with the wind, especially in the 4th Quarter, will provide a tremendous advantage.

In the 2021 "Wind Tunnel" game vs the Patriots, the Bills sold out to stop the run on the Patriots third possession, after the Patriots had attempted no passes on their first two. Damien Harris ran 64 yards for a touchdown, almost untouched. Can we see Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren accomplishing something similar? How about Calvin Austin on a jet sweep?

Buffalo's run defense ranks ahead of the Steelers in terms of Opponent Rushing Yards per Game (111 yards vs 115), but over the past three games the Steelers have only given up 84 yards per game vs 103 for Buffalo.

Buffalo scored after recovering a muffed punt. Receiving punts will be very tricky. The best technique may be to let the ball hit the turf, if any opposing player is anywhere nearby.

There were three field goals made in the 14-10 Patriots victory. The Patriots went for two and made it after their touchdown and later kicked two field goals. Punts into the wind were short, and with the wind extremely long, as one would expect.

Going to be a very entertaining game, despite the low score.

 

Little to late for me. I bet the over.

Good article. Conditions like this is when a Punter is a top 3 Player in the game. If our Punter has to boot into a stiff wind.......Crap!

If we can grind it out with the run game and keep super punter off the field one never knows. We had our #1 defense in at every position in this weather I'd really like our chances.

 

we know our punter sucks, has for 3 years. Blame Tomlin again for that. he WILL have to punt it into stiff wind, that is a given.

pretty chilly and windy today, PLENTY to simulate with the wind

 

Shanks have little to do with wind and a lot to do with pure talent (or lack thereof).

 

Put the team in a wind tunnel

 

I dont know if anyone can really prepare for certain things. Miami in KC is certainly a disadvantage anytime, but when you are talking minus degree temps (let alone wind chill factors), I dont think anyone can truly prepare for that. The type of conditions in Buffalo is the same, it really just comes down to making plays in brutal conditions, and often the team who takes advantage of mistakes comes out on top.

 

If it snows
We'll be in white they won't see our players

 

If it gets to 30 mph wind throwing will be difficult. Run game will be key.

 

I'd have a big ass wind turbine setup and have MR throwing against the current in practice all week ..lol

 

If Percy Harvin has the wind at his back he might punt it 40 yards if he gets a good roll.

 

If Harvin has to punt into a 30+ mph wind then the Steelers should just go for it on fourth down. His punts are only like 30 yards with no wind, if he has to punt into a strong wind the ball might go back over his head for a safety.

 

Steelers should re-introduce the on-side punt. This was inadvertently used a few times several years ago when our punter was so bad his low punts ricocheted off the backs of the heads of the opponents and the Steelers recovered with good field position. I think we're real close on this scheme. The predicted wind and miserable conditions should help.

 

Finally - that much bally-hoo'd cloaking device.

 

LoL. I can't remember His name , but He was so bad it worked out for us sometimes. LoL I remember My ole lady at the time saying.....Did He do that on purpose. LoL

 

I hope our OL/DL have their big boy pants on this Sunday. It will be won
in the trenches., No turnovers, force turnovers

 

Running game will be important and this is good news for the steelers...

 

And it might go for -40 if he shanks one against the wind

 

I just checked the weather and it does not look bad. the wind is to end early that morning. and might have some snow.

 

If the weather is bad enough to force teams to rely on the ground game, it could help. That might neutralize Warren given his troubles holding on to the ball in poor conditions last week. The Bills' top rusher, Cook, has had trouble protecting the ball at times this season, too. The wind would have to be pretty nasty to stop Buffalo from throwing. Allen's got a strong enough arm to power the ball through some windy conditions.

 

In-game conditions
The temperature is expected to be 24 degrees for kickoff at 1 p.m. During the game, winds may gust as high as 50 mph. Lake snow will continue south of Buffalo during the game, though the exact location of the band cannot yet be determined.

According to WIVB

 

So does Rudolph

 

Some of y'all really overestimate the strength of Rudolph's arm. For an NFL quarterback, he is about average. He certainly isn't in a class with Allen. That's rarified are in terms of arm strength. Look at the throw he made to set up Buffalo's first touchdown against the Dolphins. He was off-balance and still threw a laser deep down the left sideline. There may be two or three guys in the NFL who can make that throw. Rudolph isn't one of them.