Browns vs Bucs could threaten the NFL’s weather delay record

On September 20, 2026, a National Football League (NFL) game between the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida, was abruptly suspended due to inclement weather. The game, which took place at Raymond James Stadium, was underway in the fourth quarter when the Browns led the Buccaneers before the weather delay.

The Buccaneers had demonstrated control over the game on the ground, accumulating 125 rushing yards in contrast to the Browns' 45. However, their inability to convert drives into touchdowns resulted in the team settling for four field goals and a single touchdown. The delay, which began shortly before the 4 PM Eastern Time mark, caused the game to be halted just as it was returning from a two-minute warning.

The stadium announcement at 5 PM noted that the delay would persist and the next update would not be until 5:30 PM. The local weather forecast indicated that storms and lightning would continue within a 10-mile radius of Raymond James Stadium for the next 1-2 hours. When lightning strikes occurred, the clock was reset, prolonging the delay.

The longest NFL weather delay in history occurred in 2018 between the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins, with the game lasting over seven hours. As of 5:45 PM, the Browns vs Bucs game was not expected to resume for at least another 45 minutes, based on the radar and weather updates. The situation prompted concerns and updates from various sources, including ESPN's JennaLaineESPN and Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX.