Why? Because of the element everyone feared when word came down the Super Bowl would be played at MetLife Stadium: winter weather.
According to the Weather Underground, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks could be in for a difficult night. Kickoff is scheduled to 6:30 p.m. ET, when the temperature likely will be around freezing with sleet adding to the misery.
Knowing the potential for problems, CBS Denver reports, league officials have alternatives. If forced, they could push the Super Bowl back one day. Kickoff also could be moved up 24 hours. Whether they will, disrupting teams' preparation and, more importantly, television plans, remains to be seen.
This wasn't a problem until NFL officials bit on playing the game in America's largest market. They waived rules that said outdoor Super Bowls must be held in cities with an average game-day temperature no lower than 50.
As for a week from Sunday, the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., reports: "The exact forecast remains something of a crapshoot." It cites meteorologist reports saying snow is possible, cold will remain and a winter storm could hit.
Nobody expected this Super Bowl would be played in tropical weather. And yet, it was hoped the championship game wouldn't be a repeat of the legendary Ice Bowl in Green Bay, where the Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys on the Lambeau Field tundra.
Super Bowl XLVIII, it seems, will be played in conditions more suited for the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.
FISH STORY
Ray Farmer, a protégé of the man who is helping owner Dolphins owner Stephen Ross find a general manager, left a vacuum last week when he decided to withdraw from consideration.
Now, observers see Nick Caserio as the man most likely to win the job.
As interviews continued over the weekend, at least eight men were believed to be in the mix, or now out of it, to replace Jeff Ireland. And that was raising questions.
"I have no idea what they're doing, good or bad," former Dolphins tight end Joe Rose, a radio host with WQAM, told the Palm Beach Post. "The longer this drags out — the team I'm sure has got a different spin on it — it doesn't make them look good."
In fact, it's no longer safe to believe Ross and his aide have completed initial interviews.
Lake Dawson, a Titans exec, was expected to have a second interview on Saturday. But on Friday, Caserio got his first chance to talk with Dolphins brass. And the Miami Herald reported he was to speak with Ross and his aides again Saturday.
Dawson, Caserio and Brian Gaine are believed to be currently in the search process, the Post reported. Gaine was an Ireland assistant and thus has an inside with the team.
Caserio's bone fides are build on his experience with the Patriots. He has been director of player personnel since 2008.
In its report on the GM hunt, the South Florida Sun Sentinel added these three men: Omar Khan, Steelers director of football and business administration; Dennis Hickey, Buccaneers director of player personnel; and Brian Xanders, Lions senior personnel executive.
Farmer decided to stay with the Cleveland Browns, and Jason Licht dropped out to remain with the Bucs.
Don't be surprised to see Caserio get the job, the Herald's Armando Salguero reported. Reasons? Taking someone away from Pats owner Bob Kraft would please Ross, who also tends to attach himself to recent acquaintances. The ability to bring a division rival's personnel plan into the Dolphins organization can't be overlooked.
SCHWARTZ BE WITH YOU
Jim Schwartz starts over in Buffalo, one of two staff additions announced Friday after the Bills saw their defensive coordinator join the Browns.
Schwartz, fire as coach after the Lions' regular season, joins Doug Marrone's staff as defensive coordinator. That job had belonged to Mike Pettine, now Browns coach.
Long an NFL assistant with a track record for success, Schwartz enters is 21st NFL season. The Bills also said Friday they hired Todd Downing as quarterbacks coach, according to the Buffalo News.
Schwartz coached the Lions from 2009-13, taking them to the playoffs before his team self-destructed last season. He ran the Titans' potent defense from 2001-08 under Jeff Fisher.
Look for Schwartz to switch the Bills to a 4-3 scheme with defensives line up wide to avoid tight end blocks.
"Schwartz has led aggressive and productive defensive units through his time in the NFL and we feel our defense will continue to improve under his leadership," Marrone said in a statement.
Downing worked with Schwartz in Detroit and mentors QB Matthew Stafford. He will turn his attention to EJ Manuel, whose rookie season was aborted by injuries.
While the Lions' offense crumbled in 2013, Schwartz took extra care with the defense. That unit has great success against the run and showed improvement overall.
In Buffalo, Schwartz will have the makings of a strong defensive line, featuring tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, and pass rusher Mario Williams.
TRIO ON BROADWAY
Three current and former NFL stars — Randall Cobb, Joique Bell and Ahman Green — are about to get in touch with their inner thespian.
The producers of "Rock of Ages" said Friday that the trio will make their Broadway stage debuts in small parts next week in the splashy homage to 1980s rock 'n' roll at The Helen Hayes Theatre.
Cobb, a Green Bay Packer wide receiver, will appear in Tuesday's show. Detroit Lions running back Bell will be in the evening show the next night, followed by retired four-time Pro-Bowl running back Green in the Feb. 1 matinee.
"Rock of Ages," which was made into a film starring Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin, tells the story of small town girl and an aspiring rocker who share the dream of fame and whose paths cross at a legendary rock club.
Contributors: Ray Slover, The Associated Press
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