Playoff game between the Steelers and Bills in Buffalo could be moved to CLEVELAND if bad weather prompts a state of emergency to be declared in Western New York

Sunday’s NFL wildcard game between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers could be moved to Cleveland if lake effect weather prompts a state of emergency to be declared in Western New York.

On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for much of Western New York, including Orchard Park where the Bills play their home games.

It is in effect from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning and states over seven inches of snow are possible over the weekend, with winds possibly reaching 60mph. 

And Pittsburgh’s KDKA Radio are now reporting that Browns stadiums officials have already been informed that a switch of venues may be required.

Cleveland Browns Stadium is located 184 miles southwest of Orchard Park.

Cleveland Browns Stadium officials have been put on alert in case the game has to be moved

It would be a huge blow for Josh Allen and the Bills if they have to give up homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs. 

But Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, who go into the game as underdogs, would be delighted to have the game moved to a neutral venue.

The report also predicts temperatures could be in the 20s at kick-off time, although it could feel as much as 10 to 15 degrees colder. 

‘We’ve been through a lot of games here where we’ve had to, no pun intended, weather the storm that way, right,’ Bills coach Sean McDermott said this week.

‘It affects how you play the game, how you manage the game. So when we have that here, it’s an added dimension to our preparation.’

Playing away from Buffalo would be a major boost to T.J. Watt and the rest of the Steelers

Buffalo is always at risk of snow games: Pictured here under a blanket in December 2022

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week he’s sticking with Mason Rudolph for the trip to Buffalo. 

Rudolph is 3-0 as a starter since taking over for an ineffective Mitch Trubisky before a game against Cincinnati on December 23. 

The Steelers have averaged 27 points since Rudolph took over, a full 10 points more than they had been averaging during a sometimes rocky season that included a 1-4 stretch from mid-November to mid-December that dropped Pittsburgh out of playoff position.

‘We’re simply staying with the hot hand and not disrupting the apple cart,’ Tomlin said Tuesday.

‘We’ve been in some tough circumstances. He’s delivered, we’ve delivered.’