Once scheduled for a Sunday kickoff, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Wildcard matchup with the Buffalo Bills has been moved to Monday at 4:30 PM, instead.
The decision was made Saturday, New York State governor Kathy Hochul announced. Because of a winter storm, including wind gusts up to 40 and 50 MPH, the game will now be played a day later.
Due to the game being moved, there are a few impacts we could see unfold. Instead of playing in the wreckage of ample snow fall, the teams will have a forecast that currently projects to be roughly 17 degrees with only a five percent chance of snow and winds that are about half the severity.
So, how could this impact the game? Let's take a look.
1. Rescheduling the Steelers-Bills Wildcard game gives questionable players a chance to suit up
At the moment, the Bills have two players listed as questionable on the injury report: cornerback Rasul Douglas and linebacker Tyrel Dodson.
Douglas has been a key factor for the Buffalo defense after he was acquired at this year's trade deadline from Green Bay. Since coming over to Buffalo, Douglas has allowed an opposing quarterback rating of just 40.1
Dodson, meanwhile, has been very good in both coverage and against the run. Having his presence on the field for the Bills defense would be huge.
With an extra day of rest for these two, the Bills' defense has an opportunity to be closer to full-strength.
For the #Bills and the #Steelers, neither are expected to change their injury reports with the game moved to Monday. However, standard elevations from practice squads will now happen Sunday, not today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024
As for wide receiver Gabe Davis, who was ruled out, it appears as though Buffalo will still be without their no. 2 wideout. Neither team is going to change their injury report.