Sensible delay of game
NFL makes the call: Weather pushes start time back in KC
This probably won’t be known as “Ice Bowl II” because temperatures are not expected to dip below 32 degrees in Arrowhead Stadium.
The famous 1967 NFL championship game between the Packers and Cowboys at Lambeau Field in Green Bay kicked off at 13 degrees below zero, with a windchill far lower. As referee Norm Schachter blew his metal whistle to signal the start of play, it froze to his lips.
But weather already has played a factor in the Steelers-Chiefs divisionalround AFC playoff game.
Kickoff was pushed back more than seven hours because of a winter storm that is predicted to dump as much as a half-inch of ice on the Kansas City, Mo., area early Sunday. The NFL cited “public safety concerns” as the reason for the later start, which will give crews more time to clear roads so fans can drive safely to and from the game.
The natural-grass field is heated and will remain covered, so footing shouldn’t be a problem.
That wasn’t the case in the 1967 title game, when Lambeau’s turf-heating system malfunctioned.
When the tarpaulin was removed, it left moisture on the field, which flash-froze, leaving an icy playing surface that worsened as the afternoon wore on.
If the Chiefs are to avenge a 43-14 defeat against the Steelers on Oct. 2, they must do a better job of containing running back Le’Veon Bell, who thrashed them for 144 yards on 18 carries and caught five passes for 34 yards in the Week 4 game.
Bell, who had a franchise-postseasonrecord 167 rushing yards with two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 30-12 victory over the Dolphins last week, has a knack for hesitating behind his line and then bursting through a crease. Bell’s method encouraged CBS analyst Phil Simms to dub him “The Great Hesitator.”
“He has a unique style about him, that delay to get to the line of scrimmage,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “It has been effective for him.
“He’s really the one who does it, so it’s unique. The obvious thing is you have to … take care of your gaps.”
The game’s most intriguing individual matchup could be Steelers receiver Antonio Brown against Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters.
Brown, who led the NFL in touchdown catches (12) while ranking second in receptions (106) and yards (1,284), caught five passes for 124 yards last week, including scoring catches of 50 and 62 yards in the first quarter.
Peters led the Chiefs with six interceptions and 20 passes defended, numbers that ranked second and third in the league.
And he was targeted only 87 times, according to Pro Football Focus, down from 151 in 2015, when Peters had a league-high eight interceptions and 26 passes defended and was named the NFL defensive rookie of the year.
The Steelers are hot and they pounded the Chiefs in their last meeting. But the Chiefs play Ben Roethlisberger tough at home and are consistent.