CBS Sports

‘”Everywhere you turn, there’s a trap door,” the source said, explaining all the unique issues of playing this game during a snowstorm in Western New York at Highmark Stadium.’

‘The extreme weather has not slowed in Orchard Park, New York, with 11 inches of snow falling from Saturday at 2 p.m. ET to Sunday at 2 p.m. ET and another 15 inches expected in the next 48 hours, per weather.com. The wind is 20 to 30 mph with a temperature of 15 degrees Fahrenheit and a real feel of -2 degrees Fahrenheit.’

‘The current situation is similar to what the NFL dealt with during the COVID-19 pandemic. No one knows this better than the Steelers, who were forced to play three games in a 12-day span late in the season. The condensed schedule played a role in the Steelers’ losing in the first round of the playoffs that season after an 11-0 start.’

‘The team released a statement on Sunday morning, saying, “With the weather forecast updates and the travel bans that are now in place, snow shovelers are being asked to abide by travel bans and not report to Highmark Stadium until further notice once the bans are lifted.”‘

‘The Steelers have not traveled to Buffalo and are scheduled to leave on Sunday, according to CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.’

‘Highmark Stadium currently looks less like a football field and more like Hoth. Snowfall mixed with high winds has created quite the weather situation in Buffalo, which led to the NFL postponing the Steelers-Bills Super Wild Card Weekend showdown to Monday.’

‘”Everywhere you turn, there’s a trap door,” the source said, explaining all the unique issues of playing this game during a snowstorm in Western New York at Highmark Stadium.’

‘Weather will be an obstacle when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills meet in Sunday’s Super Wild Card Weekend showdown. The current weather forecast calls for a temperature of 26 degrees at kickoff with possible snow showers. There is also the anticipation of 25-mph wind and gusts that could reach up to 50 mph.’

‘The Bills are looking for interested persons who can come to Highmark Stadium at 10 p.m. ET Saturday to shovel snow throughout the night. The gig pays $20 per hour, and includes food plus breaks during your shift. You need proper photo identification to work, and have to be at least 18 years of age, or have proper working papers if under 18.’

‘Vastly better defensive play down the stretch has been one of the main reasons for Buffalo’s most recent late-season surge. It started with with the Bills’ Week 14 win in Kansas City that saw Buffalo’s defense hold Patrick Mahomes and Co. to just 17 points. The Bills then held the Cowboys to just 10 points the next week and allowed an average of just 19 points per game during the season’s last three games.’

‘How each team adjusts to the weather will ultimately help determine who wins this game. The Steelers’ last game in conditions similar to the one they will face on Sunday occurred on Dec. 24, 2022, when the Steelers recorded a 13-10 win over the Raiders. Pittsburgh prevailed on a night where the game temperature was 9 degrees with 21-mph wind.’

‘Per NFL Media, Davis suffered a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) sprain that is not considered major, but his status for Buffalo’s wild-card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is unclear. Davis’ participation on the Bills’ injury report will be something to watch throughout the week.’

‘It was a rather clunky start for both of these teams as Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen swapped interceptions on the opening two drives. Allen also had another pick on Buffalo’s second drive of the night and this turnover came inside the end zone to eliminate a scoring opportunity for the Bills.’

‘Buffalo might have the most interesting situation of any team entering the final week. They could be as high as the two seed, but also miss the playoffs altogether. They are a team nobody wants to face and has legit Super Bowl upside but might miss the dance.’

‘But Diggs hasn’t topped 86 yards in a game since Week 6, has only reached double-digit targets in two of the Bills’ last eight games, and in recent weeks has seen his playing time fall off dramatically. He had played fewer than 80% of the team’s snaps just twice in the first 12 weeks of the year, and he hasn’t hit that mark a single time since. He even played south of 50% of the snaps for the second time ever during the blowout win over the Cowboys in Week 15. (The first time was during a 56-26 Week 17 win over the Dolphins in 2020.)’