Last Sunday’s Buccaneers vs. Browns game was delayed by weather for more than an hour, before Deshaun Watson and Co. ultimately held on to take down Baker Mayfield in Tampa, Florida.
The game was delayed for a lengthy amount of time with Cleveland leading 23-19 and Tampa Bay driving at the 2:00 warning. The game was delayed due to lightning in the area. Fans had to vacate their seats and the players and coaches had to enter the locker room for safety purposes.
Ultimately, the game was delayed for 2 hours and 12 minutes. It was the latest in a string of weather delays impacting football games this season, as we’ve had some in the college football ranks, too.
Unfortunately, we could have more on Sunday.
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Due to bad weather on the East Coast, highlighted by heavy rain storms and potential thunder and lightning, four NFL games are at risk of facing weather delays throughout the day on Sunday, September 27:
- Bills vs. Chargers in Buffalo at 1 p.m. E.T.
- Dolphins vs. Chiefs in Miami at 1 p.m. E.T.
- Giants vs. Titans in New Jersey at 1 p.m. E.T.
- Commanders vs. Seahawks in Maryland at 1 p.m. E.T.
The NFL’s weather delay rules are clear
NFL games do not stop because of rain, but they will stop if lightning is spotted within 10 miles of the stadium, which could be possible in multiple areas on Sunday, due to increasing storms.
The game must be delayed for at least 30 minutes until the last lightning strike occurred in the stadium’s vicinity. Players will then warm up before the game resumes. Typically, once a weather delay begins, the game won’t re-start for at least an hour, due to the 30-minute rule, plus warmups and stretching.
Hopefully, we’ll be without any major weather delays on Sunday, though it’s looking increasingly possible.
