Severe Weather Delays Kickoff for Cowboys vs. Steelers Sunday Night Football Clash

The much-anticipated Sunday Night Football game featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys faced a late start due to severe weather conditions. Originally scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay, pushing the kickoff to 9:45 p.m. ET as per announcements made during the NBC broadcast.

Fans were directed to seek shelter in the stadium’s concourse and the FedEx Great Hall, a significant location within the venue that highlights the team’s accolades, as per NFL emergency protocols requiring a pause when lightning strikes are present. Meteorological forecasts had indicated a storm with a peak chance of rain at 89% around 9 p.m. ET, coinciding with the initial kickoff time. This adverse weather led to a severe thunderstorm warning being issued for the area.

The clash between these two storied NFL franchises was anticipated by fans and analysts alike, with the Steelers (3-1) leading the AFC North and the Cowboys (2-2) positioned second in the NFC East. The Steelers are notably 6-4 at home since last season, inclusive of current statistics for 2024. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who boast an undefeated 2-0 road record this season, have accumulated a 6-5 road record since the start of the previous season. Notably absent from the Cowboys’ lineup was linebacker Leighton Vander Esch due to an ankle injury.

Amidst weather interruptions, the prospect for gameplay remained rich with strategic speculations, as CBS Sports Fantasy and gambling editor R.J. White’s analysis highlighted a potential ‘under’ on total points, placing the betting line for the game at 43.5 points, with the Steelers favored by 2.5 points. White is renowned for his accurate against-the-spread selections, notably achieving a 65-34 success rate on picks involving Pittsburgh.

On the field, quarterback Justin Fields for an unspecified team had presented a commendable performance the previous week with 312 passing and 55 rushing yards, contributing to three touchdowns. Moreover, linebacker T.J. Watt of the Steelers had maintained a consistent record of sacks, achieving at least five during his recent trio of games featured in Sunday Night Football.