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Rain could effect Saturday’s NFL Wildcard games

By Evan Massey

Dec 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of Soldier Field in the rain prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of Soldier Field in the rain prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Both of the wildcard NFL Playoff games on Saturday could be effected by rain.

Saturday afternoon will kick off the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers serving as the first game of the day. After they finish up, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.

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Both games are expected to be very entertaining, but they could also both be effected by rain.

According to a report from Pro Football Talk, there is a strong chance and belief that rain will be coming down at the time of both games. The National Weather Service forecasts a 67 percent chance of rain for the Panthers and Cardinals game, while predicting an 84 percent chance that the Ravens and Steelers have rain.

Obviously rain would cause teams to go with a more run-heavy approach instead of throwing it all over the field. Pittsburgh is the team that would be hurt the most, especially with star running back Le’Veon Bell having to sit out due to a knee injury. They are going to be asking a lot of Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game, but rain could force them to use Ben Tate, Dri Archer, or Josh Harris.

Carolina and Arizona will kick off at 4:20 p.m. Eastern, while the Steelers and Ravens will be kicking off at 8:15 p.m. Eastern.

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