Mother Nature Expected to Play a Factor Sunday in Browns Showdown with Steelers

Browns fans that are heading to First Energy Stadium on Sunday to watch their team take on the rival Steelers better take note, the weather is going to be a factor.

While temps across Northeast Ohio Friday are expected to be in the low 70’s with sun, the weekend forecast is going to be a totally different story.

Saturday the expected high is set to be 44 with a chance to wind and rain, and by the time the Browns and Steelers kickoff on Sunday, the temperature is expected to be about 36 with a 60 percent chance of rain, or possibly even some snow.

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“I don’t know what it is going to be like Sunday. I know they are calling for snow so we will adjust accordingly,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said.

“It would be different for our players. I wish there was a little snow before the game just so I can see how guys handle that, talking about skill guys, quarterback and that thing. I am sure we will do well.

“We will handle it well, but we won’t try to focus on it too much but understand that it is going to be part of the game.”

One factor could be how well Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler handles the elements.

A player that was born in Bakersfield, California and played his college ball at USC isn’t use to rain, snow, and temps in the 30’s, but he will have to quickly learn to play in bad weather against the Steelers defense.

“Obviously, the weather is a factor that you can’t control, but yeah stuff, I used to do in college – we tried different things, maybe get your hand cold before you throw or do something like that, but it is impossible to really simulate what the weather is going to be like,” Kessler said Thursday.

“The wind, the snow, the rain, whatever it may be, it is difficult, but you just have to go in with the mindset of you can’t control it. You have to focus on what you control and that is if the wind is going, maybe drive the ball a little bit more, get a little better grip on the ball or do whatever you can to play through the factors.”

Usually bad weather evens the playing field when a team that is not so good is playing a club that is clearly better, meaning maybe Mother Nature will be smiling on the Browns Sunday.

That remains to be seen, but it’s something no matter how you look at it both teams will have to deal with on the Lakefront Sunday.