The NFL is mulling the possibility of a neutral site for the AFC Championship game in the wake of the cancellation of the Bills/Bengals game in Week 17. Detroit’s proven ability to accommodate teams as a neutral site venue made Ford Field a distinct possibility to host the game, but it won’t happen.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Ford Field will be unavailable to host the game. That’s because the Lions are replacing the field turf inside the stadium in January, a process they previously set up. Detroit cannot host any playoff games even if the Lions make the postseason, as the Lions would be the No. 7 seed and on the road for any playoff dates.
Ford Field has had the same turf since 2019, when FieldTurf was installed over the course of a month in the offseason. Details on the new playing surface are not yet public.
Why is Ford Field in Detroit not available for a possible neutral site AFC Championship game? I'm told in mid-January they have a previously planned change-out of their turf. At best, they're the 7-seed and can't host anyway. So they'll use the time to improve their field.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2023
Additional reports indicate the NFL wants the game to be at an outdoor venue since none of the AFC playoff teams play home games in a dome.
