ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The NFL on Thursday evening refuted reports claiming that the Bills-Steelers wild card game could be moved to Cleveland, citing weather concerns.
"We are monitoring conditions as we do for every game, but there have been no discussions about making a change to the game’s status," said Brian McCarthy, vice president of communications for the NFL.
A social media post from media in Pittsburgh had said the game could be moved, citing the possibility for lake effect snow and saying that there could be a state of emergency issued for Western New York this weekend.
Last year the Bills' game against the Cleveland Browns was moved to Detroit after a massive lake effect snow event struck Western New York before Thanksgiving. The Bills beat the Browns 31-23 on a Sunday, then followed that performance with a 28-25 victory against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
In the end, the Bills won two games in five days at Ford Field in Detroit as Western New York began a tumultuous month when it came to weather.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties from 10 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday. Per the NWS-Buffalo office: Heavy lake effect snow and very strong winds expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet in the most persistent lake snows. Blizzard conditions will be possible at times, especially Saturday night and Sunday.
On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a State of Emergency ahead of Sunday's winter storm forecast for Western New York.
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