THE Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens face off this weekend in the most anticipated game of the NFL’s divisional rounds. But Sunday’s competition will present an added challenge with freezing temperatures and winter conditions expected at kickoff.
The host of invoices the crows in Buffalo at 6:30 p.m., and players can expect a not-so-warm welcome when they arrive at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adisa Isaac (50) and Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
FOX Weather is reporting freezing temperatures in the mid-teens with snow expected throughout the game. An arctic blast is expected to hit the region early Sunday morning and last through next week.
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According to the National Weather Service Buffalo, wind chills could reach single digits by kickoff, the start of a cold front that is expected to get considerably colder in the days that follow.
Although the Bills are no stranger to winter conditions, the Ravens seem optimistic about their chances.
“You have to operate under constraint. The constraint of the adversary is also the constraint of the environment. And it’s really noise as much as anything else, especially for the offensive.” Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said this week.
Bills fans throw snow in the air to celebrate after James Cook ran 65 yards for a touchdown in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Orchard Park on December 1, 2024. (Imagn)
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“But it’s a two-way street. We have it in our stadium – our defense has to work that way too. Both groups have to deal with the communication, the noise.”
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said he’s looking forward to the snow, adding, “It’s pretty cold in Baltimore, so I don’t think it’ll be much different.”
Sunday’s game will have added interest as Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are considered the favorites for the league MVP this year.
The Buffalo Bills make snow angels to celebrate running back James Cook’s touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Highmark Stadium on December 1, 2024. (Gregory Fisher/Imagn Images)
Earlier this season, the Bills struggled to stop Derrick Henry, who rushed for 199 yards, including an explosive 87-yard touchdown run in the Ravens’ 35-10 victory. But the Ravens aren’t far from the heartbreak of a 2020 divisional round loss to Buffalo.
