ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Monday night at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills will take on the New England Patriots in one of the most significant regular season games in their division rivalry.
The Patriots sit one game ahead of the Bills at the top of the AFC East division standings— meaning a Bills win would send them into first place heading into the final third of the season.
Both teams will have to contend with some disruptive weather conditions in order to come out on top. Here's a look at the forecast.
Pregame
Monday morning will start with temperatures in the 50s. It will be mild and wet to start your day.
Tailgating
A strong cold front will move through WNY early in the afternoon. Winds will increase and temperatures will tumble. Winds could gust near 50mph early in the afternoon. By 3 p.m., the rain will begin to mix with snow.
Kickoff
By kickoff, temperatures will be near 30 degrees. Strong gusts of wind will continue through kickoff and throughout the game.
During the game
Expect temperatures in the 20s by the second half of the game, with winds gusting near 40 mph and wind chills near 20 degrees. Bursts of lake snow will welcome tailgators and possibly continue off and on during the game.
The wind will impact both the kicking game and the passing game on Monday night. At the end of every quarter, a different special teams unit will have the advantage of strong winds at their backs. But on offense, gusts that strong benefit no one.
"Whatever the weather has in store for us, we'll have to adjust, and find out. But so does the other team," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said. "We all know what Buffalo is and how things can change in an instant. I have to be ready to play in whatever type of weather and execute a game plan."
You can find game day coverage all night long on 7ABC on Monday. 7 Eyewitness News at 7 will be followed by a special edition of Leading the Charge. Plus, a special edition of 7 Eyewitness News at 11 will include Sean McDermott and Josh Allen's reactions after the game.
