NFL forced into historic move as America stunned by chaotic scenes

The NFL looked like it was playing a game at the North Pole as fans were left to fight their way to a seat for the Bills-Steelers clash.

Fans were told to sit wherever they could as America watched on with stunned amazement ahead of Tuesday’s Bills-Steelers playoff game.

Postponed from Sunday due a snowstorm and subsequent travel ban to Buffalo in upstate New York, the NFL pressed ahead to complete its opening round of postseason games.

But it took a historic move.

For the first time in modern NFL history, there were no assigned seats for the game at Highmark Stadium. If fans could find somewhere to sit among the snow, the seat was all theirs.

A general view of snow filling the stands at Highmark Stadium before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. Picture: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Fans were told to sit wherever they could. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig /Getty)

The Bills were in desperate need of more shovellers to help prepare for the game, just hours before it began at 8.30am AEDT.

The team posted an image at sunrise that showed multiple bulldozers removing snow from the field — and the stands filled with piles of snow.

Fans were seen shovelling tons of snow in the upper bowl, where the seats were completely covered.

Enjoy the game! (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig /Getty)

No snowball fights! Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

What snow? (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty)

After the travel ban was lifted, the Bills had shovellers in the stadium starting at midnight Sunday and overnight according to a news announcement they shared Monday morning.

“The County and State are authorising individuals to travel to the stadium to assist in snow removal in order to ensure the stadium is safe before it opens to the public on Monday,” the Bills said.

But by the time play began the field looked remarkably clean and the Bills wasted no time in jumping out to a big lead - eventually winning 31-17.

– with the New York Post

Originally published as NFL forced into historic move as America stunned by chaotic scenes