Steelers and Bills fans heading to Highmark Stadium for Sunday's wild-card matchup better dress warm.
According to NFL analytics expert Warren Sharp, it is expected to be 23 degrees with a real feel of seven degrees at the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. There will be 25 mph winds and light snow throughout the afternoon as well.
current forecast at kickoff in Buffalo:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 10, 2024
25 mph sustained winds
52 mph gusts
23°, feels like 7°
light snow
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But neither team will have an edge as both should be used to the cold in the Northeast.
The Steelers even decided to take the 10-minute drive from their facility to Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday so they could practice outside.
Pittsburgh's practice fields are reportedly in "poor condition." So instead of practicing in the team's indoor field, it opted to stay outside in preparation for this weekend's game.
The wind will, however, play a big factor in the matchup with gusts up to 52 mph expected.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott is anticipating a physical, ground-and-pound approach by both teams as a result.
"It's a physical game. They're a physical team," McDermott told reporters. "If we want to have a chance, we've got to play physical. There's no negotiating around that or finding a way around it. That's the style of football you have to play, in particular this time of year."
Bad weather game Sunday + preparing for Steelers run-heavy offense = physicality being top of mind for the #Bills this weekend.
— Jonathan Acosta (@_jacosta) January 10, 2024
Sean McDermott: "That's the style of football you have to play, in particular this time of year and against this football team."#BillsMafia @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/FhrpEpxlNU
That doesn't bode well for Buffalo, which has the 28th-ranked defense in yards per carry allowed in the NFL.
The Steelers (10-7) have been on a roll with RB Najee Harris rushing for 312 yards and four touchdowns on their three-game win streak.
The Bills (11-6) are still 10-point favorites but expect the cold and windy conditions to play a large role in the outcome of the game. It might be a lot closer than many have previously thought.
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