NFL 2016-17 playoffs running thread

Injuries: Ladarius Green (concussion) doubtful to play

The Chiefs are healthy heading into the game, though Justin Houston could still be limited in his return.

Steelers tight end Ladarius Green is still in the concussion protocol and is listed as doubtful. Linebacker Anthony Chickillo was ruled out with an ankle injury. That one is significant because he is Pittsburgh's top special teams player. Another top guy in kick coverage, Shamarko Thomas, is on IR. Those units have been very shaky, not a good sign heading into a game against Tyreek Hill.

 

OOP - does the change in gametime help or hurt you boys?
If I'm the Chiefs, I'd be furious. Feel like miserable weather would neutralize Brown/Bell.
It's really a joke that they pushed the game back. It's bad weather. Deal with it.

 

And all the people driving to and from the game and sitting there in the ice storm? Just deal with it?

 

Based on the stories I've seen, the concern is fans getting too and from the stadium, not on-field conditions.

Honestly, I thought the bad weather favored the Steelers, but it was a minor advantage at best. Kansas City has speed, too. Arguably the biggest difference for the Chiefs on offense since the teams played earlier this season is Hill playing a much larger role and the weather could have neutralized him. His ability in the return game is also one of the Chiefs' biggest advantages in the game. Pittsburgh's return game is terrible and Hill is as good as any return guy in the league.

Roethlisberger has a history of playing well in bad weather and Bell had his best game of the season in the snow at Buffalo, so I think the Steelers feel very comfortable offensively in bad weather.

 

Hey, if a hundred people have to die and all emergency services in the city have to be diverted to the stadium so Rhody has something to watch Sunday afternoon, such is life.

 

That concern is bullshit. I think it was the Eagles who hosted a game in a blizzard and there was so much snow on the field they couldn't kick XP. Snow started well before the game.
The Pats played Miami in a snow game where travel was impossible and most of Gillette's seats were still covered. Best memory from the game was Tedy Bruschi picking a pass off, sliding into the end zone and everyone in the stadium tossing snow in the air so it looked like fireworks. There was also that little SnowBowl game where the Pats' took advantage of a loophole that helped them get to the AFC Championship game. Another brutal day for travel.
Since I have no reason to trust the NFL, I'm looking for the conspiracy. One would be Goodell helping the Rooney family and not forcing them to play in a fucking ice storm. I think it's more likely the NFL was terrified fans wouldn't go and the stadium would be half empty. There were tickets going for like $20, according to Rovell.
While a fairweather game favors the Steelers, the change it time hurts them if they win. Maybe. It has to, right?

 

One thing to consider is there is basically no mass transit to Arrowhead. Everybody gong to the game is getting there on the Interstate.

 

Wonder why you don't remember this Eagles game.

Blizzard forces postponement of Vikes-Eagles game to Tuesday

 

Rhody, it wasn't so many Christmastimes ago there was an ice storm in central Mass. and the Merrimack Valley where people lost power for weeks. Ice knocks down trees and power lines. Also, you can't walk on it, let alone drive. This is a public safety measure. I was at the snow game you cited and while it had snowed a lot before the game, by game time, even before game time, roads were kind of passable. But Karen Guregian of the Herald never made the game because she was stuck in the traffic, as were many fans.

 

It's a few hours, so I don't think it matters that much. The Patriots have an advantage over either team because they play a day earlier and get a longer rest. They also have the gift of Carr's injury, which gave them an easy path to the championship game rather than the Raiders with Carr or the Chiefs.

Any conspiracy theory that has the NFL favoring one team over another is pure stupidity. Whatever the league might hope to gain is nowhere near being worth the damage that would be done if it became public.

Your premise that fair weather favors the Steelers also shows a limited knowledge of the teams, for reasons I already explained. It isn't a huge factor in favor of either team, but if anything, I think it would help Pittsburgh.

 

I'm sure Goodell and the league have been involved in a lot of conspiracies. But I've never heard of them conspiring with Mother Nature to bring an ice storm to a stadium.

 

Wasn't that one.
This was the game I was thinking of - Eagles-Lions. Only remember because I had some guys in fantasy that went nuts.
Week 14: Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles highlights