NBC’s ‘Football Night in America’ broadcast confirmed the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff would slide back roughly 30 minutes. But Mother Nature had other plans. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, a fresh lightning strike at 9 p.m. triggered another mandatory 30-minute delay, pushing the potential kickoff to at least 9:50 p.m.

The National Weather Service isn’t painting a pretty picture too. They’ve issued a severe thunderstorm watch across western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County. Wind gusts could hit 23 mph, while thunderstorms might stick around until 10 p.m. Stadium officials haven’t taken any chances, directing fans to seek shelter as rain hammers the Acrisure Stadium turf.

Inside the stadium’s bowels, players adapt to the unexpected downtime. NBC’s Melissa Stark reports both locker rooms received sandwiches and wraps – hardly the pre-game meal these athletes expected. Meanwhile, the stadium is a beacon of light in Pittsburgh’s darkness, maintaining power while downtown buildings go dark.

This isn’t the Steelers’ first weather rodeo. Last December’s game against the Arizona Cardinals stretched two hours longer than planned due to similar conditions. Tonight’s matchup between the Steelers (3-1) and Cowboys (2-2) promises similar patience-testing drama, with KDKA’s radar showing an angry storm system parked right over Steel City.

Mother nature adds an extra wrinkle to critical matchup

The stakes couldn’t be higher for either team once the play begins. Pittsburgh aims to bounce back from their first-season loss and maintain AFC North supremacy. Dallas, fresh off their mini-bye following their Giants victory, hunts for consecutive wins despite missing key starters like Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence.

Local meteorologists predict heavy rainfall throughout the game even after lightning clears out. Photos shared by 93.7 The Fan show rain flooding parts of the field – a preview of the slip-and-slide conditions awaiting both teams.

“The heavy stuff’s not coming for a while,” warned Pittsburgh reporter Gerry Dulac, sharing footage of the current downpour that already looks biblical. These conditions could dramatically impact a game featuring two of the NFL’s most storied franchises, who enter with contrasting momentum.

The latest Update as per NBC broadcast (9:45 PM ET): Officials announced players will return to the field at 9:25 PM, with kickoff scheduled for 9:45 PM. But as thunder continues rolling across Steel City, this Sunday night showdown might stretch well into Monday morning.