The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a rough week with all the potential re-scheduling due to weather in Buffalo. Their game against the Buffalo Bills has already been postponed a day, as New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced. She announced the changed schedule the day after throwing a jab at Steeler Nation about the game not going their way. Many different scenarios were pondered, and the current decision is still not final, as the effects of the bad weather could force yet another delay, or even a relocation for the playoff game.
Thom Patterson / CNN
An Airbus A330-900neo similair to the one the Steelers were supposed to be flying back to Pittsburgh in sits on the tarmac at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.
Steelers Versus Bills Alternative Options
The game was rumored to be played in Cleveland, as the Cleveland Browns were going to be on the road for the Wild Card Round. However, news stations in Buffalo reported that there was another site in mind for the game: one that was indoors, but nowhere near either Pittsburgh or Buffalo. It would be a long, last-second road trip for both teams.
Reports claimed that the Wild Card was almost moved from Highmark Stadium to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It would be in a much warmer atmosphere, as well as in an indoor stadium. Weather and travel would not be a factor for the game or either team. It would be a long flight for both teams, but it's not the worst idea for a playoff game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills 2023 Wild Card matchup was already moved once due to weather, and another move could be on its way, with a potential relocation as well.
Why Not Play In Atlanta Anyways?
One of the major problems for this site would be fans traveling. Numerous flights have been cancelled going in and out of Buffalo, so their fans would not be able to travel to the game at all. While Steelers fans are known to be all over the place, many fans would not be able to book last-second flights and/or hotels in Atlanta. There would not be much of a fan presence for either team.
There's also the right that the Bills earned the right to host this game. Home-field advantage would be non-existent, which would help the Steelers in this case. All that revenue for the city of Buffalo, as well as the state of New York, would vanish, although that would also be the case if they moved to Cleveland, like it was initially reported.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers corner back Chandon Sullivan celebrates his interception of Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley during a preseason game in 2023.
Either way, the game might have to move anyways. If the weather continues to be an issue, relocation will be on the table again. You can only delay a game for so long, especially a playoff game. This game will have to be played at some point time, whether it's in Buffalo, Cleveland, Atlanta, or anywhere else. The winner will already have a disadvantage for the divisional round, as they will have less rest than the other teams. The whole situation is unfortunate, but anything can still happen.
What do you think about the game nearly being moved from Buffalo to Atlanta before deciding on postponing the game? Did the NFL make the right decision? Will the game get pushed back more? Let us know in the comments.
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