weather forecasts for league championship games...

[AR182]

Snow forecast for AFC, NFC championships
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Associated Press
Posted: 13 hours ago

Brrrr! There could be snow at both NFL conference championship games.

Forecasters are calling for gametime temperatures of 20 degrees and a chance of snow showers for Sunday night's Patriots-Steelers AFC championship game. There is a chance of heavier snowfall earlier in the day, but it is expected to stop by kickoff.
NFL Playoffs

The weather could be worse across the state in Philadelphia for the NFC championship game between the Falcons and Eagles in the afternoon. Snow is predicted this weekend, with anywhere from a minimal amount to a major storm.

Similar conditions in Foxboro last weekend might have aided the Patriots in their 20-3 victory over the Colts, whose Peyton Manning-led passing offense was limited to a field goal on a snowy, cold day.

It was dry but chilly for the Steelers' 20-17 overtime win Saturday over the Jets, with gametime temperatures of 28.

NFL rules say the field should be covered on the day and night before a game if there is any chance of precipitation. The Steelers usually keep Heinz Field covered, though it was left uncovered during some recent warm days to encourage the grass to grow.

The weather could be a factor in Philadelphia, considering the Falcons play in a dome - although they went to Lambeau Field and beat the Green Bay Packers in snow two years ago in the playoffs.

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said that was the only time he's ever played in snow. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb grew up in Chicago, so he's used to cold weather.

"We've come out on top when I've played in it, so hopefully we can continue that streak," McNabb said.

It was snowing and the temperatures were in the low 20s on Wednesday, but that didn't affect Eagles coach Andy Reid, who wore shorts.

"Sometimes I forget to put my sweats on before I go out," Reid said.

The Steelers stayed inside to practice on a snowy day in Pittsburgh.

"When the elements get bad, you have to make sure you're mentally sharp," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "Fundamentals come back into play big time."

 

[Blitz]

 

[fletcher]

Field won't be a problem in pittsburgh has a heating system under field which keeps ground from freezing and can take up to 2.5 inches of rain per half hour with drainage system.

I have said this many times, only thing to look for in totals and sides are 2 things 1 frozen field or frozen ball , which you will have balls that are frozen or close to it, this effects the kicking game and the passing game due to ball being rock hard and dead, also grip gets a glaze on it, the other is wind of 15 mph or more, it takes a wind of 15 mph or more to change flight of thrown ball between 20-25 yards so any ball not thrown short and on the line can float and flutter like a knuckle ball almost. Kicking in the cold 25 degrees or less takes off about 10 yards per kick due to harden ball, then must factor in wind and direction and could end up costing another 15 yards if it's a cross wind or kicking into the wind, kicking with the wind with frozen ball will make it about 5-10 yards less with a 15 mph wind or cross wind, also hang time is off by about.06 seconds due to low punts and field goals are blocked more due to low line drive kicks. This is on avg or about the norm.

So the team who runs the ball best and makes the 5-10 yard passes and has the better yac wins the game most of the time on days like these, also unlike a wet field and rain where people tend to worry about low scores and to's which is really backwards because off has the advantage of knowing where to go and when to cut so scores are not really that low in rain and wet field unless it's just a down pour. Games with frozen ball and field go under 36-37 much more due to short ball control and trying to gain field poe, and not going for the homerun ball. run and short middle passes keeps clock running and tends to be less points. It takes a temp of 25 degrees or less to effect the ball, your allowed to keep a ball dry with towels over them but can not warm them up.

Whats this mean look for the running teams and short passing teams to due better then the teams who look to throw ball longer 15-20 yard patterns. good ex colts last week, they are more down field passing team and really never pressed pats. Also dbacks will play closer to the line because threat of long ball is really wiped out unless a db falls down and long ball is due to yac really not the official pass.

In these 2 match ups if weather is like this adv is to the under in both, philly in their game, and game between steelers and pats is almost a toss up because pitt can and should win the run game but pats and brady are good with they 8-10 yard pass and yac.

Just passing on some info on weather and effects on games for the norm, now to's you can't really add in but due see a few more muffled snaps from center to qb, punts dropped by return man,and miscues by running backs and running back/qb exchange.

Good luck what ever you do.

Eric

 

[MrChristo]

Beautifully written, fletch.

Agree 100%.

 

[AR182]

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

PHILADELPHIA: 826 PM EST FRI JAN 21 2005

... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY FOR 10 TO 15 INCHES OF SNOW...

A DANGEROUS WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE AREA SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, ALL OF NEW JERSEY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COASTAL ATLANTIC COUNTY AND CAPE MAY COUNTY, NEW CASTLE AND KENT COUNTIES IN DELAWARE AND CECIL, KENT AND QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTIES IN MARYLAND.

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WAS LOCATED OVER THE HIGH PLAINS. IT IS FORECAST TO MOVE SOUTHEASTWARD TO THE OHIO VALLEY SATURDAY MORNING AND CROSS THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS SATURDAY AFTERNOON. A SECONDARY LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS THEN FORECAST TO DEVELOP OVER THE DELMARVA COASTAL WATERS SATURDAY EVENING AND INTENSIFY RAPIDLY. THE LOW SHOULD BE WELL EAST OF OUR REGION BY SUNDAY MORNING.

THE UPCOMING WINTER STORM WILL HAVE TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WILL FEATURE VERY HEAVY SNOW SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY EVENING WHERE MOST OF THE ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL SO HEAVILY THAT NEAR WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY WITH RATES POSSIBLY REACHING ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR. THE SECOND PHASE OCCURRING OVERNIGHT SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY WILL FEATURE LIGHTER SNOW, BUT CONSIDERABLY STRONGER WINDS. THIS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A VERY LIGHT AND FLUFFY SNOW. THIS MAY CAUSE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, EASTERN MARYLAND, DELAWARE AND SOUTHWEST NEW JERSEY LATE SATURDAY MORNING AND THE REST OF NEW JERSEY BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE WILL AVERAGE 10 TO 15 INCHES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WARNING AREA.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL BECOME EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND ALL UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED ONCE THE HEAVY SNOW BEGINS. FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND POLICE IN YOUR AREA. DRIVING CONDITIONS SHOULD START IMPROVING LATER SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS WINDS DIMINISH.

ANOTHER FACTOR WILL BE THE VERY LOW WIND CHILLS. AS WINDS INCREASE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY, WIND CHILL FACTORS WILL DROP BELOW ZERO ACROSS NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY AND THE SINGLE NUMBERS ELSEWHERE FROM SATURDAY NIGHT AND LAST THROUGH THE DAY ON SUNDAY.

 

[jojoball]

Awesome recap of previous games in adverse weather conditions!

 

[AR182]

if anybody is interested here is a site that has stadium weather................


http://www.wunderground.com/auto/jflines/sports/NFL

good luck today...

 

[Pujo21]

HEY FLETCH...what if The Pats go with the hurry-up offense ?????????????????????????????

BELLECHICK is the biggest weasel on the planet earth !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gardenweasel]

ar....where`s your picks thread?...i always enjoy and respect your opinions(as if you didn`t know)..... :mj08:

lord,i love these new smileys....

 

[AR182]

gw,

you have to dig around...probably on page 2 or 3.

i took the under 42 (sunday night) in the philly game....

there are other stuff that i wrote that you might find interesting....

good luck.