KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The AFC playoff game Sunday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs was moved from an early afternoon kickoff to prime time because of an ice storm due to hit the Kansas City area this weekend.
The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 1:05 p.m. Eastern time. It will now start at 8:20 p.m. to give road crews and public safety officials more time to treat roads and parking lots.
“If people are going to the game, slow down, leave early and be cautious,” said Troy Schulte, the city manager for Kansas City, Missouri, where Arrowhead Stadium sits just off Interstate 70.
The forecast called for ice to move into the area Friday, and persistent cold temperatures throughout Saturday and Sunday. More precipitation is expected Sunday, though mostly in the form of cold rain.
• Kansas City linebacker Justin Houston was limited in the final practice for the game, though his status was left blank on the final injury report.
BUCCANEERS: The team signed defensive cordinator Mike Smith to a contract extension, ending speculation about where the former Atlanta coach might wind up next season.
Smith spoke with the Jaguars and Chargers about head coaching vacancies this winter after an improved defense led a turnaround that produced Tampa Bay’s first winning record in six years.
BILLS: Low key and to the point, Sean McDermott spent much of his inaugural news conference as Buffalo’s new coach emphasizing discipline and culture change for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons.
“I understand the expectations that come with the job and I accept that challenge,” McDermott said. “I’m looking to build a culture of winning, and that starts inside these walls and extends to our community.”
THE NFL will have eight minority head coaches in 2017, tying the most for the beginning of one season.
With the hirings of Anthony Lynn by the Chargers and Vance Joseph by the Broncos, the eight minority coaches will equal the number in 2011.
DAVID MODELL, the first president of the Baltimore Ravens and the son of the former team owner, Arthur Modell, died at age 55. He had cancer for two years, the team said.
PANTHERS: Steve Wilks was promoted to defensive coordinator.
BENGALS: The court case for Adam “Pacman” Jones is on hold until Feb. 10.
Jones was jailed Jan. 3 on charges he head-butted police and spit on a nurse after his arrest for assault. He said he didn’t think he should have been arrested.
PACKERS: Cornerback Sam Shields pleaded not guilty plea to marijuana possession.
• Receiver Jordy Nelson will miss the playoff game Sunday against Dallas because of injured ribs.
49ERS: The team interviewed Arizona vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough for its general manager’s job.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville hired Joe DeCamillis as special teams coordinator, bringing him back nearly a decade after his first stint with the team.
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