Jets-Bills Game To Be Moved To Monday Night In Detroit
BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Jets-Bills game that had been planned for Sunday in Buffalo has been rescheduled for Monday night in Detroit, the NFL announced late Thursday.
The game will be played at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Lions' home stadium of Ford Field. It will be broadcast on CBS2, as well as on CBS in Buffalo.
"While Ford Field could have hosted the game on Sunday, in order to give the Bills as much practice time as possible under the circumstances, the decision to play on Monday night was made," the NFL said. "The Lions' practice facility will be available to the Bills on Friday and moving the game to Monday night will enable the Bills to practice on Friday and Saturday and have their walk-through on Sunday."
The decision came due to a severe lake-effect snowstorm hitting Buffalo, which prompted the NFL to relocate the Bills home game.
Due to public safety concerns for the ongoing weather emergency in Western New York, Sunday's Jets-Bills game will not be played in Buffalo.
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) November 20, 2014
The region — including the team's home in Orchard Park — has been blanketed by more than 5 feet of snow since Monday. Snow continued to fall on Thursday, with projected accumulations ranging between 1 and 3 feet.
The game will be televised by CBS in both Jets and Bills home markets. Ford Field also hosted the Vikings and Giants after the Metro Dome roof collapsed in 2010.
The Bills intends to travel to Detroit on Friday and practice at the Lions' facility. The Lions are at New England on Sunday.
"We greatly appreciate the hospitality of the Detroit Lions in hosting the Bills and this game," NFL spokesman Michael Signora said.
We have been in contact with local authorities. All available public safety resources must be available for the community at this time.
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) November 20, 2014
Earlier in the day, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it would be impractical for the game to be played on schedule.
We are also in discussions with the team and the Red Cross on ways the NFL can support the community through this weather disaster.
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) November 20, 2014
The snow has affected the Bills preparations after the team canceled practice for a second straight day.
This marks the second time the Bills will play at Ford Field this season following a 17-14 win over the Lions on Oct. 5. It also is the second time in four years the facility has hosted a neutral site game.
The last time an NFL game was moved to Ford Field unexpectedly, the fans who did show up witnessed a bit of history. Brett Favre's streak of 297 regular-season starts came to an end that night — on Dec. 13, 2010 — when the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Giants 21-3. Favre was sidelined by shoulder and hand issues.
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