BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ upcoming wild-card round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been rescheduled due to an impending snowstorm. The game, originally slated for Sunday, will now be played on Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The decision was made in order to prioritize the safety of the region’s residents. The game will continue to be broadcast on CBS.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement during a news conference on Saturday. Hochul revealed that discussions had taken place between herself, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, emergency response teams, Bills leadership, and the NFL before coming to this decision. The rescheduling was not based on playing conditions, but rather on the safety of everyone in the area.
Hochul emphasized that the storm was predicted to hit Buffalo on Sunday afternoon, right in the midst of the scheduled Buffalo Bills game. By moving the game to Monday, officials hope to give crews more time to clear the roads and ensure the safety of motorists and fans. The change in date and time will also prevent law enforcement from being tied up with traffic and allow them to focus on assisting those in need during the storm.
Buffalo and surrounding counties, including Orchard Park where the stadium is located, are currently under a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. Monday morning. AccuWeather predicts that the region could experience over a foot of snow, with the potential for up to three feet, accompanied by winds reaching speeds as high as 65 mph. The storm is expected to begin Saturday evening, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, posing significant challenges for road crews.
In light of the weather forecast, the over/under total on the game at sportsbooks underwent dramatic changes throughout the week. It opened at 42.5 before falling to 33.5 and eventually being suspended when the game was rescheduled. However, it was later reopened at 38.5.
While winter weather may still be a factor on Monday, with the possibility of snow and windy conditions, forecasts indicate that the wind speeds are projected to be reduced. This adjustment may alleviate some concerns surrounding the game, even though the Steelers had yet to depart from Pittsburgh prior to the rescheduling decision.
This is not the first time the Bills have had to modify the location of a game due to extreme weather conditions. In November of last season, a game against the Cleveland Browns was moved from Highmark Stadium to Ford Field in Detroit. The aim was to avoid diverting resources from the Buffalo community.
In a separate playoff game, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins are also contending with extreme weather as temperatures could drop as low as minus-5 degrees. However, the NFL has determined that there are no public safety travel concerns for that game and it will proceed as scheduled.
In summary, the Buffalo Bills’ wild-card round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been rescheduled to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET due to an anticipated snowstorm. The decision was made with the safety of residents and motorists in mind, allowing for more time to clear the roads. Buffalo and surrounding counties are under a winter storm warning, with significant snowfall and high winds expected. Although weather conditions may still impact the game on Monday, adjustments in wind speeds are predicted. This is not the first time the Bills have faced a change in venue due to extreme weather, as a previous game was moved to Detroit.