Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A grounds crew member shovels snow off the yard lines during the third quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Potential for challenging weather conditions on Sunday during the Browns-Dolphins matchup are increasing, with forecast models indicating sustained 25 mph winds and torrential downpours for the matchup of 1-5 teams on Sunday afternoon.
Wind gusts could reach 50 mph during the game and thunderstorms are possible according to AccuWeather.
Temperatures and humidity are likely to drop before sunrise and settle in the low 60s by the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Heavy rain is expected starting at 4 a.m.
Weather Underground projects the rain chances at 90% on Sunday.
Will either offense show up?
Points have been a challenge for Cleveland. The Browns have eight total touchdowns in six games and 34 of the team’s 82 total points this season are courtesy of kicker Austin Szmyt.
Even after kicking a 53-yard field goal and making all three of his attempts on dicey footing at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh last week, the Browns are planning for the possibility of things being worse this week.
“I don’t know if you can do anything to truly recreate that type of situation,” said Bubba Ventrone, Browns associate head coach and special teams coordinator. “We work wet ball stuff with our operation. I know we’ll do that here later this week with our offense and defensive players. And then, honestly, I think that you prepare your team through these, I would say weather situations that can happen by practicing outside, practicing in the elements, practicing in the wind, the rain, the snow, all that stuff. Because ultimately you’re going to play in it at some point. So I think all the training that you’re doing in off season program training camp and have the opportunity to practice in those elements help you in those.”
Passing could be difficult for both teams with undersized touch passers Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) and Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel. Both teams rank in the bottom five in the NFL in rushing. Miami is No. 27, one spot ahead of the Browns, who average 90.7 rushing yards per game and rank 31st (next-to-last) in net yards per pass play with a 4.3-yard average. The Browns are also No. 31 in yards per play at 4.1.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said his charges are still wary of the Dolphins’ passing game because of Tagovailoa’s penchant for a quick trigger. NFL Next Gen Stats put Tagovailoa’s release time at 2.7 seconds from snap to release.
“It’s a really nice marriage of the scheme and his skill set, with how quickly he gets the ball out, how accurate he is when he gets the ball out,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think he sees it really clearly. He can get the ball to all areas of the field and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers.”
But if Sunday’s weather forecast holds water and the field becomes soggy with gusty winds, Cleveland might get the edge from its defense.
The Browns are No. 3 in the NFL allowing 262.3 yards per game and 79.7 rushing yards per game. They lead the NFL in limiting opponents to 3.08 yards per carry this season.
–Field Level Media
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