stlbills13

Based on the forecast I don't see how the game can be played Sunday at 1. I'm sure all of the alternatives are not appealing to the NFL though - Move to Monday night? No definitely won't have 2 playoff games at once - Move to Monday at 4? Monday afternoon isn't ideal but it is a holiday. The question is how safe/open will travel conditions be. Football weather will be fine. And roads will be better than Sunday but will they be good enough to matter? The winner of this game has substantially less rest than their opponent in the next round is a factor too. This is the easiest solution but it definitely has questions. - Move to a different location? Even if you found a perfectly "neutral" location, I'm sure the NFL does not want to do this to a home playoff team. Teams would be clamoring for location changes all the time - Move to Tuesday? Can't see that as possible in the playoffs. - Steelers forfeit? I think this makes sense.

When does a decision need to be made?

I think where the NFL messed up is playing 2 AFC games on Saturday. If you moved the Bills game to Monday (which I still think is probably a good idea), the Bills would be on 2 days less rest than their opponent which is a big deal at this point in the season. That could be a possibility anyway if only one AFC game was on Saturday but now it's guaranteed.

Move it to tonight. If the Steelers don't show up that's their problem.

Not that rain and snow are the exact same but the Steelers looked pretty bad last week against a lot of Ravens backups in the rain.

I see no reason for Von to be active in this one

We might see a lot of Latavius Murray with his ball security on Sunday. You don't have to throw it 35 times but still let Josh take some chances. I would actually say the chances of him throwing a pick are lower than usual in this weather. Incompletions aren't good either but the key will be not turning it over. Rudolph isn't beating you in perfect weather so he definitely isn't beating you in this kind of weather. Bring Poyer and Hyde down and stop the run. I'll take my chances with Rudolph trying to throw a deep ball in this weather even with no safety help.

Pittsburgh may be better built to play in these conditions but I also just don't think they're a very good team without Watt. Go win a 18-6 game (no extra points kicked) or something like that and get ready for the next week

What's the most appealing opening? Maybe Chargers with Herbert but they probably have some cap problems. Maybe Atlanta with a good nucleus but no QB and they'll have to move up to get one. None of the others seem all that great. Feel like there's always a big surprise.

Texans - This is a pretty interesting game. Cleveland has a legit defense and Flacco can make enough plays. But I think being in Houston matters and I also think Stroud is pretty quickly going to be special. Should be a tight game though that could go either way. Dolphins - Another interesting one. I'm from Missouri and the weather is going to be very cold and likely snowy/rainy before the game. As long as the actual game is dry I think the Dolphins are going to lean on that run game with a few quick hitters to Tyreek and Waddle and score just enough to win. The Chiefs just look a little broken to me offensively although maybe the week off this past weekend resets them. If Mostert and Waddle play, I'll take Miami. If not, Mahomes finally comes to Buffalo. Bills - Steelers are well coached and they have a solid defense even without Watt. But Mason Rudolph in the cold, wind, and maybe snow on the road? It's just not going to happen. They run the ball decently well and maybe it's not a blowout (nothing is easy with the Bills anyway) but I think the Bills have that special internal belief this year. Cowboys - The Packers are still a year away or so. If it was in GB maybe it's different but Dallas at home as a different beast. Rams - I would love to see the Lions here and I think this is the best game of the weekend. This is also the game I'm most excited for outside of the Bills of course. I think the LaPorta injury is going to be a factor. The Lions still have a lot of weapons and I think they're going to play angry football after feeling they were robbed of the 2 seed. But the Rams are hot, McVay and Stafford have been here, and that defense still has playmakers. Maybe Goff gets his revenge and the Lions will be pumped up playing a home playoff game but experience wins out. Hope not though. Bucs - Who knows with this one. I don't think the Bucs are good and is Baker Mayfield really going to outduel Jalen Hurts? But the Eagles seem to be imploding and they aren't exactly healthy. Evans, Godwin, White are 3 pretty darn good players and I think the Eagles freefall comes to a thud ending their season. Matchups next week of Texans @ Bills, Dolphins @ Ravens, Rams @ 49ers, and Bucs @ Cowboys might actually be less appealing than this week's games but let's just hope the Bills get there first.

I don't have a ton of interest in playing Mahomes/Reid in the playoffs even if it is finally in Buffalo. I also don't have a ton of interest in seeing how hard the NFL tries to get Taylor to the Super Bowl.

We need Douglas. Everyone else is important but you can survive

Harty and Sherfield. Beane is a genius

More fournette and Shakir

Score here and it's over. Don't score and it's also over

That was a horribly officiated half and yet the Bills still beat themselves

Christ almighty

Always happy to root for the t.its

I don't have a good feeling. Vrabel seems to care but that team looks like they've totally packed it in

Great now he's going to play all inspired

I do think if you have a guy who is questionable and who can significantly re-aggravate an injury, you have him sit out. But other than that, you are playing your best guys unless the game gets out of hand. The bigger thing would be if they hold anything back offensively/defensively to save new wrinkles in the playbook for the playoffs.

Tua is not an elite guy but the Dolphins didn't look very good last year when he was out. They have to pay him and get creative with the contract.

Are there any contract implications if he gets hurt?

My prediction for the schedule based on how I think the seeds will end up Saturday afternoon: Texans/Colts vs Browns Saturday night: Packers vs Lions Sunday early afternoon: Steelers vs Bills Sunday late afternoon: Rams vs Cowboys Sunday night: Dolphins vs Chiefs Monday night: Eagles vs Bucs