Wind Gusts in Cleveland Threaten Kicking Game for Steelers-Browns

NFL weather reports usually exist just so a broadcast can show a sideline reporter fighting for their life against a mild drizzle. But tonight's forecast in Cleveland actually matters.

Meteorologist Kevin Roth is tracking high-resolution data showing wind gusts hitting 20 mph or higher on the shores of Lake Erie as the Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Kevin Roth noted that while passes should be fine, the wind could be an issue on longer field goals."

A 20 mph gust isn't quite enough to turn a spiral into a boomerang, but it is exactly the kind of invisible menace that makes a 50-plus-yard field goal look like a wounded duck.

Roth notes that while the passing games should survive the breeze, the kicking game is where things get weird. The forecast also calls for a slim chance of raindrops, though the field should stay mostly dry.

If you are staring down a kicker prop or hoping for a late game-winning bomb through the uprights, you might want to factor in the stadium's personal wind tunnel. Kicking in Cleveland is already a miserable experience without Mother Nature deciding to play special teams.

The Steelers and Browns kick off tonight, so keep an eye on the flags atop the goalposts. When a coach decides to go for it on fourth-and-long instead of trotting out the kicker, you will know exactly why.