Steelers’ playoff game moved to Sunday night because of ice storm
In this Dec. 22, 2013, photo, grounds crew members remove the tarp from the playing field before a game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The AFC divisional playoff game between the Steelers and Chiefs was moved to primetime because of an ice storm due to hit the area this weekend.
A Pittsburgh Steelers helmut sits on the turf before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
With an ice storm expected to ravage the midwest this weekend, the Steelers’ Divisional Playoff game Sunday at Kansas City has been moved to an 8:20 p.m. start.
A severe ice warning because of Winter Storm Jupiter has been placed in effect all weekend for the I-70 coridor that runs from Kansas City to St. Louis. An accumulation of up to an inch of ice is likely in some areas, with the peak of the storm expected Saturday night into Sunday morning.
“Moving the game from the original 1:05 p.m. start time will provide local authorities more time to clear roads in the area as the weather is expected to improve throughout Sunday,” the NFL said in a statement. “The decision to make this time change was made in consultation with state and local officials as well as the Chiefs and the Steelers.”
The game will follow the Green Bay at Dallas NFC playoff contest, which is scheduled to begin at 4:40 p.m. The Steelers’ game will be televised locally on WPXI. It will be the first time the NFL has played a postseason game at night on a Sunday.
According to published reports, the Missouri National Guard has already been mobilized to pretreat roads.
A heating system was installed under the Arrowhead Stadium turf last spring at a cost of $2.2 million. But it failed to work Dec. 8 when the Chiefs hosted Oakland as the field froze underneath tarps meant to keep it dry.
With the poor weather expected, ticket prices for the game on resale websites have dipped dramatically. Seats that were selling for more than $100 earlier in the week are now selling for as little as $26.
The Steelers likely will be without tight end Ladarius Green for the fourth consecutive game as he continues to deal with a concussion.
Green, who did not practice at all this week, is listed as doubtful to play in Sunday’s game.
Linebacker Anthony Chickillo, who also did not practice this week because of an ankle injury, is listed as out.
Defensive end Ricard Mathews (ankle) and running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (concussion) were limited participants in practice Friday. Both are listed as questionable to play.
The Chiefs are reasonably healthy, with no players listed as anything less than probable.
Linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston both practiced fully Thursday but Hali was held out of practice Friday, while Houston was a limited participant.
Both are dealing with knee issues but are expected to play against the Steelers.
The Chiefs are playing without inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, who led the team in tackles with 90 despite missing the final three games after tearing his Achilles’ tendon.