Overview
- The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Cleveland ahead of kickoff.
- AccuWeather projects showers through pregame and into the game with sustained winds over 15 mph, gusts topping 30 mph, and a chance of late-afternoon thunderstorms.
- Heavy rain fell in the morning, the first half is expected to stay wet, and temperatures are forecast to rise from near 50°F to the upper 50s by the final whistle.
- Analysts say the conditions favor ground attacks and conservative special-teams decisions, with passing and long field-goal attempts likely to suffer.
- Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North with a win, while a Cleveland upset would set up a decisive Week 18 trip to face the Ravens.