With Buffalo currently experiencing “Snowvember”, there is a lot of discussion about whether or not the Week 11 game between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills will go on as scheduled. Ford Field in Detroit is said to be a viable candidate to host the game, which will take the game from outside in the cold to inside on a fast track that would obviously help both offenses.
Rumors that the game won’t be played at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY have bettors wondering whether or not their wagers will stand. Each sportsbook has its own House Rules that it will follow in these situations. Given the enormous line move in this game, with the total dropping several points from from 47.5 to 42, it could cause bettors to lose some big closing line value, but it could also force bettors to be on the total at a bad number.
Respected sharp bettor @clevTA tweeted out that he’d expect the total to look more like 49 if the game was moved to Ford Field. This is not an unprecedented idea from the NFL. The game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills was moved in 2014. Between the weather and the public safety personnel that needs to be freed up to assist with things other than a football game, the league may opt to take this course of action again.
The other wrinkle here is the day of the game. Because both teams would have to travel, and because Buffalo would have to find a way to travel away from the treacherous weather, the game could be played on Monday or even Tuesday. That would also bring the House Rules into question.