Steelers notes: Saturday could be franchise’s coldest game since 1989

Saturday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, both 6-8, isn’t necessarily one for the history books.

It could be, though, and not just because of the accompanying celebration of the Immaculate Reception or because it’s the NFL’s latest-ever kickoff for a Christmas Eve game.

What might make this Steelers game stand out is it will be in the running for coldest NFL game played in Pittsburgh.

The Accuweather forecast posted Monday afternoon called for a high of 9 degrees and a low of 8 for Saturday, and with winds of more than 20 mph predicted, the “real feel” is pegged at minus-15.

Weather.com’s forecast posted at the same time was a relatively balmy 13 for a high, though by the 8:15 p.m. scheduled kickoff, even that would figure to be single digits for the game.

“It’s definitely looking like it’s going to be a cold game,” Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith said, “but I feel like we play in those kind of games a lot, so I feel like we will still be able to play a good game.”

The coldest gametime temperature recorded for a Steelers home game is 5 degrees for a matchup with the New England Patriots on Dec. 17, 1989. It was 11 degrees for a New Year’s Eve 2017 meeting with the Cleveland Browns and the 2004 season’s AFC championship game against New England.

The coldest temperature on record for any Steelers game was a Dec. 10, 1977, loss at the Cincinnati Bengals, when it was announced as 2 degrees at Riverfront Stadium.

Fitzpatrick leads

The Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick led all free safeties in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl Games. His 150,541 votes were second only to Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Derwin James among voting for safeties.

Fitzpatrick is the only Steelers player who led voting at his position. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led all players with 306,861 votes by fans, whose balloting ended Thursday.

Fan voting accounts for a one-third share of determining who will participate in the Pro Bowl Games, which will take place Feb. 5 in Las Vegas and this season for the first time won’t include a tackle football game but instead will be a series of skills competitions, including a flag football game.

Related:

• 5 things we learned: Do you believe in miracles? How Steelers can reach AFC playoffs
• Steelers prep for threat that is Raiders WR Davante Adams

The final rosters will be announced Wednesday evening.

Huddle for the holidays

Acrisure Stadium on Tuesday will host the fourth annual “Huddle for the Holidays” event that brings services and resources to needy members of the community in a festive holiday environment.

More than 500 individuals are invited to the event that is hosted by the Steelers and Convoy of Hope, a national nonprofit organization that provides food, supplies and humanitarian services to needy populations across the world.

Groceries, haircuts, manicures, winter coats, toys, shoes and socks and books are among the goods and services available, as well as arts and crafts.

Because of the covid-19 pandemic, this is the first in-person “Huddle in the Holidays” since its inaugural event in 2019.

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