Oddsmakers favor the Steelers over Jacksonville on Sunday, and the weather might too.
The forecast for Sunday at Heinz Field is for a high temperature of 18 degrees with a low of 7. Wind chill factors could drive the feel-like temperature downward.
A team from Florida that rarely played in such cold against a team of frosty veterans in Pittsburgh? Advantage, Steelers?
“I don’t know, I think it depends on the players and things of that nature,” said Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone, who also has coached in Buffalo. “We’ve been fortunate that we have played in some cold weather this year.”
They were not so fortunate to have won in it, though.
The only game the Jaguars played where the temperature was below freezing came on New Year’s Eve in Nashville, Tenn. It was 23 degrees at kickoff, and the Tennessee Titans won, 15-10.
Click here for more Post-Gazette coverage of the Steelers’ playoff run
That loss in Tennessee is typical for the Jaguars — they are 1-8 in games, regular season and playoffs, in which the temperature is 25 degrees or lower.
The Steelers are 7-1 in home postseason games in those temperatures.
Mike Tomlin did a vocal shrug when he was asked about playing in such cold Sunday.
“It’s just a part of life in Pittsburgh, Pa. It is a part of life that we embrace.”
Marrone said players today have more ways to stay warm than they did when he played in the 1980s.
“We didn’t have all the things they have now, you know the thermo gear, the heaters on the sideline, things like that. I don’t know, it’s different than it was back in the day when you didn’t have those things. I think the hardest thing for the players is the [pregame] warm-up because they can’t get to the benches.”
The Steelers played their most recent game Dec. 31 against Cleveland at Heinz Field when it was 11 degrees with a wind chill of 3. It tied for the third-coldest game in their history. The Steelers won 28-24.
“Again, I just think it’s all in the mindset,” Marrone said. “It’s no different than when you’re up north and you’re coming down south early in the season with the heat. People have to be able to adjust to that.”
Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com
First Published: January 10, 2018, 7:46 p.m.