Sunday’s NFL wild card game will be postponed until Monday as Buffalo, New York, braces for blizzard conditions.
Both the league and Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) put out statements on Saturday announcing the change and noting that the chief concern — as meteorologists predict heavy snow and the usual accompanying complications with regard to roads and travel — was public safety.
“I’ve been in communication with @NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the dangerous conditions in Buffalo this weekend. In consultation with our emergency response teams, @BuffaloBills leadership, and the NFL, the Bills game will be postponed to 4:30 pm Monday,” Hochul announced via X.
I’ve been in communication with @NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the dangerous conditions in Buffalo this weekend.
In consultation with our emergency response teams, @BuffaloBills leadership, and the NFL, the Bills game will be postponed to 4:30 pm Monday.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 13, 2024
“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 official NFL account posted. “The decision to move the game to Monday was made in consultation with New York Governor Kathy Hochul in the best interest of public safety, and with the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the region prepares for the storm.”
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
In addition to postponing the game, Governor Hochul announced an outright travel ban for certain parts of western New York beginning on Saturday evening.
“Travel will be extremely dangerous in Western New York tonight. A full travel ban starts at 9pm in Erie County,” she announced. “Even if snow is not falling, stay home & don’t try to drive. Snow can pick up in an instant & create whiteout conditions. Get essentials now before snow starts.”
Travel will be extremely dangerous in Western New York tonight. A full travel ban starts at 9pm in Erie County.
Even if snow is not falling, stay home & don’t try to drive. Snow can pick up in an instant & create whiteout conditions.
Get essentials now before snow starts.— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 13, 2024