Buffalo, New York – The Steelers-Bills wild card game, originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, has been postponed to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET due to severe weather conditions. The decision was made after consultation between the New York governor’s office and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. However, there are still challenges to overcome in order for the game to proceed as planned, including the presence of fans in the stands.
According to a source familiar with the Buffalo Bills, playing the game during a snowstorm in Western New York at Highmark Stadium poses unique obstacles. The NFL, though confident the game will be played on Monday, may consider a further postponement until Tuesday if weather conditions persist.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban for Erie County, which will be reevaluated depending on the forecast. In a press conference, Governor Hochul urged travelers, particularly truckers, to monitor the conditions and make their way to Buffalo as soon as possible.
Despite the challenges, the Steelers are set to travel to Buffalo on Sunday at 3 p.m., maintaining their original schedule. However, Orchard Park, where Highmark Stadium is located, has already received 2-3 inches of snow, with more expected in the afternoon. With the travel ban in effect, the Bills’ offer of $20 an hour to volunteers for snow removal is currently stalled.
In previous instances, snow shovelers would start at the top of the stadium, working their way down by chutes to clear the stands and field. The field, currently covered by a tarp, will need to be cleared for Monday’s game, depending on the intensity of the snowfall.
The safety of the playing surface is another concern. The field has been covered, but with below-freezing temperatures, the NFL Players Association’s hardness test may be required for the field to be considered playable. Additionally, the allocation of public resources, such as police officers, raises further questions.
Despite the challenges, there is hope that the game will proceed as scheduled. If the weather improves, this will simply be another playoff game taking place in Buffalo.
In summary, the Steelers-Bills wild card game has been postponed to Monday due to severe weather conditions. Obstacles such as snow removal, field preparation, and the distribution of public resources need to be addressed before the game can proceed. The safety of the playing surface and the allocation of police resources are additional concerns. Nevertheless, there is optimism that the game will take place as planned.