In the consequences of Buffalo Bills security Damar Hamlin’s collapse in Monday night’s videogame versus the Cincinnati Bengals and subsequent hospitalization, the NFL’s focus has naturally been on his care and healing even as the playoffs draw inexorably closer.
And while Hamlin’s health is critical, at some point decisions should be made relatingto the schedule – particularly as it relates to the uncompleted Bills-Bengals contest. The league revealed Tuesday that the “game will not be resumed this week,” however stopped brief of canceling it while likewise signaling Week 18’s schedule would relocation forward as prepared.
During a conference call Wednesday, NFL executive vice president of interactions, public affairs and policy Jeff Miller stated conversations relatingto the Bills-Bengals videogame were continuous, however that a choice concerning its fate would be exposed “in the coming days” as the groups, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others weigh choices.
THE LATEST ON DAMAR HAMLIN: Updates on Bills gamer’s health
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WHAT BENGALS COACH SAID: Zac Taylor opens up on discussion with Bills after Damar Hamlin’s collapse
Among the factorstoconsider:
Bills-Bengals implications
Monday’s face-off between AFC East champ Buffalo and playoff-bound Cincinnati was anticipated to be a prospective videogame of the year just based on the quality of the groups, both genuine Super Bowl 57 competitors led by superstar quarterbacks Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. In the 53 seasons “Monday Night Football” hasactually been on the air, this match was just the 3rd in the history of the series including 2 groups with at least 11 wins.
But likewise at stake?
► A Bills win would haveactually offered them the inside track to the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed – and the first-round bye and home-field benefit that come with it. A Week 18 success over the New England Patriots would haveactually clinched the conference’s regular-season throne for Buffalo.
► A Bengals win would haveactually provided them the AFC North crown – and the house playoff videogame that comes with that – while putting Cincinnati directly in the mix for the No. 1 seed thanks to a Week 13 defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs.
What will Week 18 choose?
The Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and can unquestionably wrap up the AFC North with a win. If the Chiefs defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati has no course to home-field benefit and the bye. However, a loss by K.C. combined with Bengals wins over the Ravens and Bills would suggest the No. 1 seed for Cincinnati.
Conversely, a Bengals loss to the Ravens opens the door for Baltimore to win the AFC North – however that would also need a Cincinnati loss to Buffalo.
In Orchard Park, the Bills would requirement to beat New England on Sunday to stay in the race for the No. 1 seed. (A Patriots win puts them into the playoffs and clinches the leading area in the conference for the Chiefs – if they win, too.)
Could Bills-Bengals still be crucial after Week 18?
Definitely.
As comprehensive above, the No. 1 seed in the AFC and AFC North title might all be reliant on the result of the videogame, not to reference seeding inotherplaces in the conference playoff bracket.
What are the NFL’s choices?
Miller and Troy Vincent, the league’s executive VP of football operations, were relatively mum Wednesday concerning how the NFL will relocation forward with the Bills-Bengals videogame, however these appear to be the most sensible options:
►CHELOR’SDEGREE Cancel the videogame and usage group winning portions to figureout playoff implications. It’s the cleanest option logistically and prevents Bills pl