IRVING, Texas - A high of 30 degrees, low of 21, with a 40 percent chance of snow showers.
A perpetually sloppy Heinz Field despite the stadium's recent efforts to re-sod the playing surface.
Sounds like Marion Barber's type of game - a ground-oriented, grind-it-out attack against the Pittsburgh Steelers' stingy defense and the Steel City's December elements. That is, if he can play with a dislocated right little toe on Sunday.
If not, rookie running back Tashard Choice has prepared all season for an expanded role come rain, shine, or in this case, snow.
"I've got to go in and be ready to ride," said the team's fourth-round pick out of Georgia Tech, who hasn't received 20-plus carries in a game since last November against the University of Georgia.
Untimely toe injuries to Barber and rookie Felix Jones leave Choice as the only fully healthy back on the 53-man roster, however.
Jones underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament beneath his great toe. Barber's dislocated little toe may keep him out of practice this week, though it's hard to imagine the Pro Bowl rusher sitting out such a pivotal game with the Cowboys (8-4) fighting roughly eight teams for an NFC wild-card spot.
"He's one of the toughest guys I've ever played with, so I would think that he'd try to go," said tight end Jason Witten, who has played the last four games with a fractured rib. "It's not a great surface up there, though, so those guys have got to get prepared."
The Cowboys could sign a third running back to the 53-man roster for depth this week. But even if Barber is active as expected - he'd likely wear added support for his toe - Choice might be in line for more touches and the unenviable task of picking up Pittsburgh's exotic blitzes.
So far he's done well with limited work, averaging 5.1 yards on 29 carries, including 57 yards on a season-high 11 carries last Thursday against Seattle after Barber got hurt.
"The whole season it's been a play here, a play there, three or four runs in the game and I just try to capitalize," Choice said. "Once I get into double digits, it's time to really make something happen."
Choice had gotten accustomed to double digits at Georgia Tech. He finished his college career as the first player to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing for two straight seasons since Virginia's Thomas Jones (1998-99). During his junior and senior seasons, he went 341 straight carries without a fumble.
But Choice's patience stretches back to his redshirt season at Oklahoma, when he had just 22 carries playing behind Adrian Peterson.
Those opportunities simply haven't been available in Dallas, either. Choice understood that on draft weekend when he was selected behind Jones, the team's top overall pick, and slated for third on the depth chart with Barber the incumbent starter.
"You know you've got two guys in front of you and both of them are really good," Choice said. "You know you can play, but you've got to wait your turn. You've got to be patient for opportunities like this. It wasn't frustrating, but it made me work harder so when I did get an opportunity I didn't mess up at it."
Prior to last week's win over Seattle, Barber got the bulk of the carries in four games without Jones. Choice ran the ball only 14 times during that stretch, though certain situations - a scoring deficit or tight game - forced the offense to stick with Barber or restrict the running game altogether.
The Cowboys also seem to view Choice more in Barber's mold as a decisive, between-the-tackles runner with good initial burst. And although Jones was highly effective when healthy, he only averaged five carries in six regular-season appearances.
Barber has been the featured back all season, no matter who's behind him.
"I think just (Choice) being a young player and we felt like Marion was the guy that could get through it and do it (without Jones)," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips explained. "Marion is an exceptional guy. I think we all see that."
If Barber is out or limited Sunday, the Cowboys hope Choice's speed could counteract the Steelers' rush. Just as important, he'd have to recognize blitzes and protect quarterback Tony Romo.
"The schemes and the certain defenses they run and how much pressure they put on the quarterback, it's going to be huge for us to handle pressure and be able to throw the ball down the field," Choice said.
"When they call on me, I'm always ready. You never know."
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