Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

NFL makes responsible decision on Steelers-Bills wild-card game

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/14/24

The Buffalo Bills' postseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed until Monday at 4:30 ET due to a brutal snowstorm hitting the area.

Due to public safety concerns in light of the ongoing weather emergency in western New York, Sunday's Steelers-Bills game has been rescheduled to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by CBS.

The decision to move the game to Monday was made in consultation with New York…
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2024

Due to the inclement weather, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a full travel ban for Erie County beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the last time the kickoff time for a postseason game changed was during the 2016 divisional round between the Steelers and Chiefs.

Last changed playoff game also involved Pittsburgh: The 2016 Divisional Playoff game between the Steelers and Chiefs in KC was moved from 1:05 ET to 8:20 ET because of an ice storm. https://t.co/r6qlgX2d6J
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024

Some have used the game's move to Monday to argue against the Bills' plans to build a $1.7 billion open-air stadium, but dome or no dome, delaying the game was the responsible call.

Gov. Hochul noted the decision came "in consultation with our emergency response teams." In addition to being unsafe for fans to travel to and from the stadium, the league must also protect its players if they need medical attention.

The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday as part of a tripleheader, but the move to Monday creates a doubleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, further encroaching on the NBA's calendar. Earlier this year, the NFL dominated the NBA in the Christmas Day ratings.

Per the National Weather Service, the Buffalo area is in a winter storm warning from 10 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Monday and can expect as much as three feet of snow. Whether conditions improve enough for a Monday afternoon game remains to be seen.

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