Why did NFL move Browns vs. Bills game to Ford Field? Lions home stadium to host clash

The weather in Buffalo at this time of year is not for the faint of heart and the Buffalo Bills have made a habit of playing well in snowstorms and icy conditions. But this time, it appears that the NFL is putting player safety first.

The Bills' game this weekend against the Cleveland Browns was scheduled to be a Buffalo home game. But we have a change in schedule and the game will be played in neutral territory at Detroit's Ford Field, something that rarely happens in the NFL.

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Reason why Browns vs. Bills game was moved

Buffalo Bills v Cleveland Browns

With an impending storm heading directly at Buffalo, the league made the decision to move the game. Nearly six feet of snow is expected in Buffalo over the next few days, making the game virtually impossible to play outside.

Originally, the Bills and Browns game was due to be played at Highmark Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. But the game has now been moved due to the extreme weather.

The Lions' Ford Field is available as they will be in New Jersey taking on the New York Jets. It will certainly have an odd feel to the game with neither team being at home.

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When was the last time an NFL game was moved to a neutral venue?

New Orleans Saints v Green Bay Packers

The decision to move the Buffalo-Cleveland game to a neutral venue is something that does not happen regularly, but it has happened before. The last time an NFL game was moved to a neutral venue was on December 9, 2021.

The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints were due to do battle at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome. However, due to damage from Hurricane Ida, the game was moved.

The new venue for the game was down in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field. It was certainly a rather odd-looking game, having the Packers and Saints playing in Jacksonville. But sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

We will yet again have teams playing in neutral territory due to unplayable weather this Sunday. Buffalo and Cleveland will be hoping that the change in venue will help in their bid to get on the winners list as both are coming off losses last week.