New York Governor Kathy Hochul Warns Steelers Fans Not to Travel to Buffalo for Playoff Game vs. Bills

New York governor and Buffalo native Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for western New York due to intense snow storms ahead of the Buffalo Bills playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that's not the only reason Hochul is telling Steelers fans not to come to the game.

Hochul sent a message to the Steelers fans in a video on Friday, suggesting that not only will the weather be dangerous to travel in, but that their team will be in for a tough game anyway.

"This one's for our friends thinking about travelling from Pittsburgh to watch the game. We think it's just better if you stay home and tune in on television. It's going to be safer for all of us. It's going to be a rough game for you anyhow," Hochul said.

Hochul also said she has activated 100 members of the New York National Guard to be in place in western New York, as several inches of snow are expected, starting Saturday.

Wind is the biggest safety concern in the region. A High Wind Warning has been issued for the state as wind speeds are expected to reach up to 55 to 65 mph during on Saturday.

The Bills are 7-2 at home this year and are coming off a 21-14 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 18, which earned Buffalo the division title and a home playoff game for the first wild card round.

The Bills had won four straight home playoff games dating back to 2021, but suffered their first home playoff loss since 1996 in last year's playoffs when the Cincinnati Bengals won 27-10 in the divisional round.

For Saturday's game, snow is such a concern that the team he team announced on Friday afternoon that it is recruiting willing residents come to Highmark Stadium starting at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday to shovel snow off the field.