Cowboys-Steelers weather delay: Latest updates and start time

The Dallas Cowboys watched the rival New York Giants and Washington Commanders pick up victories on Sunday, so their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is that much more important.

As if the game needed another layer of intrigue, it is currently in a weather delay as thunderstorms pass through the Pittsburgh area. Already scheduled for 7:15 pm CT, kickoff was initially delayed 30 minutes after a lightning strike was spotted over Acrisure Stadium.

For the game to be played, there needs to be a 30-minute interval without any lightning spotted in the area. That is followed by a 20-minute warm-up for each team. Kickoff is delayed 30 minutes for every lightning strike in the area. Sure enough, another strike was spotted.

Fortunately, rain has died down and fans are allowed to return to their seats. The game is now expected to kickoff at 8:45 pm CT. Players are currently warming up on the field, so kickoff is right around the corner.

Cowboys-Steelers weather delay: Latest updates and kickoff time

The Football Night in America crew has provided weather updates throughout the delay. It looks as though the forecast is clearing up. It's going to be a late night for everyone involved, but football will be played as soon as 20 minutes.

While Cowboys and Steelers fans will just be relieved to watch football, the brand of football on display might not be so pretty. Even though thunderstorms were projected to happen right around kickoff and despite two lightning delays, the staff at Acrisure Stadium decided not to cover the field.

That could make for awful playing conditions and it doesn't even rule out the possibility of rain showers throughout the game.

Cowboys fans have grown frustrated with Mike McCarthy's vanilla offense. Tonight's field conditions could cause McCarthy to curl up into a bigger shell as a play-caller. The Steelers' defense got carved up last week by Joe Flacco, but that game was played in a dome.

With so many defensive starters out due to injury, Dak Prescott was going to have to carry the Cowboys on his back in this game.

However, it is fair to wonder how lethal Prescott can be through the air with a wet football. He already has to overcome a conservative play-caller and a lackluster group of skill-position players that will be without Brandin Cooks. The Cowboys will ask even more from their quarterback tonight.

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