When was the last time you heard about anything or anyone or any entity related to the Buffalo Bills calling something off on account of inclement weather? Apparently there’s a winter storm hitting Western New York on Sunday so severe that the Bills’ upcoming playoff tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers is moving to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Travel is going to be extremely dangerous in Western New York this weekend.
We are implementing a full travel ban in Erie County starting at 9pm tonight.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 13, 2024
The game was supposed to kick off Sunday’s tripleheader action for Super Wild Card Weekend. Instead, we’re getting two games apiece for each of the next three days, which ain’t a bad consolation prize.
I still can’t believe snow is postponing a playoff game in Buffalo. Like, what? That city is as well-equipped as any in the country to deal with crazy weather. Based on some images that are surfacing online, I guess I get it. I’m assuming these are current images unless people are just being dumb.
BREAKING: Per NY Governor Kathy Hochul the Steelers-Bills game has been moved to 4:30 ET on Monday. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YuOfCouJd8
— Covers (@Covers) January 13, 2024
Steelers-Bills has been moved to Monday at 4:30 PM ET due to weather conditions in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/VSGST0Cd2E
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 13, 2024
IDK. Maybe the NFL was scared, too, that heavy underdog Mike Tomlin was about to pull up, run the ball down the Bills’ throats and somehow win with Mason Rudolph starting at quarterback opposite Josh Allen. Although the Steelers are a big, iconic brand in their own right, nobody wants to see them TJ Watt-less going up to Baltimore to get pummeled in the Divisional Round.
After all, we saw what happened the last time the Bills hosted an AFC North team in the playoffs…
Bills WR Stefon Diggs speaks out after the team’s 27-10 AFC divisional loss to the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/bpHJ0O8mdq
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 23, 2023
Hehehe. OK sorry. Had to get a Bengals cheap shot in there. Not like Joe Burrow beat that Buffalo a** this season again or anything. Ugh. Moving on.
The elements are what can make playoff football such a singular experience. Those chilly temperatures and snowy conditions are meant to work in Buffalo’s favor. Speaking of the Watt family, let’s hear what JJ has to say on the matter — his words, not mine!
Honest question:
Wasn’t the argument for Buffalo’s new stadium not having a roof that football is supposed to be played in the elements?
This is multiple games in recent years that have been rescheduled due to weather.
Do we want the elements to be a factor or not?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 13, 2024
Can’t help but concur with this take. The reality is, if you play this game in the elements, there’s a better chance the Bills don’t win. Pittsburgh has Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris to pound the rock, and the disadvantage of not having Watt is less conspicuous. Alas, we’ll get friendlier conditions for the home team on Monday, which only helps Allen and the Bills’ passing attack.
I ultimately want to see the best, most deserving teams survive and advance for the most part. Then you have to factor in the safety of the fans. A travel ban is a serious thing. It’s sad, however, because this type of weather is what makes the playoffs so exciting. It’s win-or-go-home every week, and you can’t predict what Mother Nature may have in store!
Meanwhile, Buffalo’s AFC East foe, the Miami Dolphins, have to play in one of the coldest-temperature games in NFL history later tonight in Kansas City. LOL. If the Dolphins somehow win and advance further in the postseason than the Bills, that’ll only further fuel that rivalry. I’m so here for it.
The Bills game isn’t being moved because of any potential impact on the field. It’s being moved because of a travel ban that would make it impossible for players, staff, & fans to get to the game safely. Completely different situation than in KC later today.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 13, 2024
I know facts like the one expressed in the tweet above will get in the way of this narrative — not to mention the pseudo-conspiracy I’ve posited about the Bills being scared to face the Steelers in bad weather — but don’t tell that to Miami fans. Or to me. Anything to spice up the animosity between the Bills and Dolphins is good in my book.
Some fun reactions out there about this whole ordeal. Enjoy!
She was literally talking trash to the @steelers publicly in her press conference yesterday.
And today she postpones a playoff game in a move that favors the Bills.
Ridiculous @nfl https://t.co/z9Oi6AXb7S
— Rick Fish 🐟 (@rickfish412) January 13, 2024
The only acceptable weather conditions for the Buffalo Bills to play a football game in: pic.twitter.com/ynMUpNglwA
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) January 13, 2024
I’d say the game moving is a benefit to the #Bills — better conditions allow their offense to operate more normally. Also gives an extra day of rest to those players with injuries that’ll be game-time decisions.
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) January 13, 2024
Society if Congress could change things as quickly as the NFL makes changes for the Buffalo Bills pic.twitter.com/ny4L7UUf9S
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) January 13, 2024
AKA the Bills called and said we don’t want to play the Steelers in the Snow. Seems kinda Buffalover to me https://t.co/s4boKxPWtZ
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) January 13, 2024
First it was too hot. Now it’s too cold. The Bills are my grandmother.
— Sweep The Leg (@SweepTheLeg337) January 13, 2024
Anytime the Bills have to play a game that’s not 65 degrees, partly cloudy and under the shade of a giant oak tree 😭 pic.twitter.com/DtWffWGyu8
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) January 13, 2024
Dolphins fans about to ride the Bills about not being able to play in the sun or the snow 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/sAGnJPfN7f
— Safid Deen 💯💯💯💯 (@Safid_Deen) January 13, 2024
If the Bills are allowed to postpone the game a day due to weather, the Steelers should be allowed to turn off injuries and get TJ Watt back
— Clem (@TheClemReport) January 13, 2024
