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Cleveland weather update: When will Browns vs Bills game start after delay? Live updates from Huntington Bank Field
The game kicked off at 1 p.m. ET. Just minutes into the game, lightning forced officials to suspend play.
Update: The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills preseason game at Huntington Bank Field faced a lengthy weather delay Saturday after thunderstorms and lightning moved through the Cleveland area.
The game kicked off at 1 p.m. ET in wet and unsettled conditions, with heavy rain and dark skies surrounding the stadium. Just minutes into the game, lightning forced officials to suspend play. Players were taken off the field, while fans were told to move into the stadium’s concourses for safety.
Play remained suspended for more than an hour as officials waited for the threat to pass. The game finally resumed at about 2:15 p.m. ET.
Deep Dive
Once play restarted, conditions improved considerably. The rain and storms moved away, and the weather turned sunny.
Initial report: The Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills preseason game at Huntington Bank Field has been temporarily suspended because of lightning in the area. The game is scheduled to resume at 1:45 p.m. ET, according to News 4 Buffalo.
The game was suspended with 13:35 remaining in the first quarter, with fans instructed to seek shelter on the stadium concourses.
The Buffalo Bills also confirmed the delay in a post on X, saying, "Our game in Cleveland has been temporarily suspended due to lightning in the area."
The game was scoreless when play stopped. Buffalo Bills received the opening kickoff and ran three plays before the suspension.
With QB Josh Allen sitting out, backup quarterback Kyle Allen got the start. He completed an 18-yard pass to Trent Sherfield that moved the Bills to the Browns’ 41-yard line before the game was halted.
