The Buffalo Bills are taking on the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Saturday for their second preseason game, but they didn’t see much action.
Buffalo started with the ball but only got through the first two minutes of the first quarter. Officials paused the game for a lightning delay. Usually, football plays in the rain, but once lightning strikes, the teams have to head to the locker room.
What is The NFL Protocol When it Comes to Lightning
The NFL has a protocol for lightning strikes. If lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of the stadium, the NFL will delay the game. Typically, the game is not allowed to resume until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike within that 10-mile radius.
The NFL typically doesn’t face weather delays. However, if there is a delay, it usually occurs around this time during the preseason or early September in the regular season, when heavy thunderstorms are still common across the country.
Major League Baseball is accustomed to delays throughout the season. However, the NFL typically has a handful of delays from the preseason until the end of the season.
If the game cannot resume, don’t expect it to be rescheduled. Since the game outcome means nothing, the NFL will move on without rescheduling.
Why is Bills vs. Browns in a Delay?