The Buffalo Bills are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday afternoon in an AFC Wild Card playoff matchup. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday but was postponed due to a massive snowstorm that dumped over 3 feet of snow on Buffalo and western New York. With more snow in the forecast, crews have been working around the clock to clear tons of snow from Highmark Stadium to make the game possible.
Massive Snowstorm Wreaks Havoc on Buffalo Area
A powerful winter storm slammed Buffalo and western New York beginning Friday, bringing over 3 feet of snow to some areas by Sunday morning. Orchard Park, home of the Bills’ Highmark Stadium, registered 42 inches according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. The relentless snow made travel impossible, forcing the postponement of the Bills-Steelers game.
Another 1-2 feet of lake effect snow is possible Monday and Tuesday in Buffalo, posing additional challenges for the playoff matchup. However, New York governor Kathy Hochul expressed confidence Sunday that the game would be held as scheduled Monday at 230 pm despite the forecasts.
All Hands on Deck to Clear Highmark Stadium
With game time rapidly approaching, getting Highmark Stadium ready to host an NFL playoff matchup has become an all-out community effort. The Bills put out a call Sunday for fans and volunteers to help shovel over 220 tons of snow from the stands.
By Sunday night, over 11,000 fans showed up with shovels and snowblowers to chip away at the monumental task. The team provided hot chocolate and coffee to fuel the small army working to make the stadium playable. Their efforts made a huge dent in snow removal, but additional heavy snow Monday morning covered seating areas again.
Another large contingent of shovelers continued working through the morning to give grounds crews access to clear the playing field and make pathways for fans. The Bills urged fans planning to attend Monday’s game to prepare for a “snow globe” environment with no assigned seats and snow-covered bleachers.
How Will Weather Impact Steelers-Bills Matchup?
The Bills enter as 7.5 point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook. However, the wintery conditions could pose challenges for Buffalo’s high-powered passing attack. Quarterback Josh Allen will need to take extra care throwing the slippery football while star receiver Stefon Diggs faces the tall task of cutting on snow-covered turf.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh could lean more heavily on running back Najee Harris and the ground game. Harris rushed for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The Steelers defense, ranked 6th against the pass during the regular season, also matches up well to contain Allen and the Bills aerial attack.
If snow accumulates during the game, visibility and footing will pose issues for both teams. Turnovers may prove pivotal, with the team protecting the football holding a big advantage. Special teams play will also take on added importance in the elements.
| Impact of Snowy Conditions |
|---|
| Reduced effectiveness of passing games |
| Increased emphasis on running |
| Visibility challenges |
| Importance of turnovers and special teams |
Implications of Winner and Loser
The winner of Steelers-Bills will move on to face the Cincinnati Bengals or Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round next weekend. Buffalo is hoping to ride home field advantage and the rabid support of Bills Mafia through the AFC playoffs after falling short of the Super Bowl the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Steelers limped into the playoffs having lost their last two games. For veterans like defensive stars TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, this could represent that last best chance at another championship. But Pittsburgh would need to win three straight road games just to reach Super Bowl LVIII.
The loser heads home facing an uncertain offseason after falling short of expectations. Disappointing early playoff exits already put pressure on Bills coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane to finally get the talented roster over the hump. In Pittsburgh, sweeping changes could come with veterans Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin possibly retiring.
Game Outlook
This Bills-Steelers matchup already owns a place in NFL history thanks to the wild weather and tremendous effort required just to make it happen. With weather potentially playing a huge role, it’s anybody’s guess whether Buffalo’s superstar Josh Allen or Pittsburgh’s stout defense will prevail.
Bills Mafia will try and spur their team to victory under improbable conditions. The Steelers hope their championship pedigree shines through to extend Ben Roethlisberger’s career one more week. An overflow crowd and millions more watching on TV are in for one epic, snowy showdown with high playoff stakes.
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