The NFL neglected essential precautions this week when, on Friday afternoon, they decided to stick with the original schedule for the Buffalo Bills Wild Card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the league had been monitoring the forecast throughout the week before informing both teams on Friday afternoon that the game would take place at 1 PM on Sunday. However, the weather conditions in Western New York became hazardous enough on Saturday for Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a travel ban that included Buffalo. Subsequently, Governor Hochul, the Bills, and the league collectively postponed the Wild Card game until Monday afternoon.
Despite the travel ban still being in effect, meaning that Pittsburgh fans with tickets cannot reach their destination from Pennsylvania, the league has not yet taken decisive action. Video footage shared by Governor Hochul’s account on Sunday afternoon provides compelling reasons for the travel ban.
Current view of downtown Buffalo. Looks like a pretty good day to not have a football game.
Please, stay home and stay safe. pic.twitter.com/PXwGxcMLk7
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 14, 2024
Reports suggest that the NFL may consider postponing the game until Tuesday. In a Sunday morning article, the NFL’s Mike Florio highlighted the potential hazards associated with travel conditions on Monday after the winter storm activity on Sunday. Florio emphasized the risk to first responders due to the league’s decision to keep the game in Buffalo, stressing that the concern isn’t about playing in adverse weather but rather the safety of travel and the strain on resources.
The league’s handling of this situation has been severely flawed. A proposal to move the game to a neutral site, Cleveland, due to the weather was swiftly dismissed by the NFL, leading to a series of problems for local and state governments in Pennsylvania and New York, as well as both teams.
The eventual winner of the Bills/Steelers matchup will face a competitive disadvantage in their next game due to a shortened turnaround time. All of these complications could have been avoided if the league had diligently monitored the situation and made the difficult but ultimately correct decision to relocate the game to a city where fans’ safety and the well-being of first responders were not at risk.