Success

There is no such thing as an asterisk when you win the SB - even for the Patriots. No one gives the '82 champ an asterisk because there was a strike.

It was on PFT. They're voting on how to proceed w/ the seedings & playoffs.

Comp. committee had a vote at 6:00, right? Any news?

We have to be. These are pretty extraordinary circumstances - no solution will be perfect. We're better than KC. We can beat them at their place, if it comes to that.

I've got a better idea - let's beat them by at least 4 touchdowns.

I still love the city & the fans, and MOST of the team & coaches. The guy who rolled up on Allen - that one is hard to explain away. It genuinely looked like he launched himself at Josh's knee.

What does our secondary look like now? Is there any word on Johnson, and who starts at safety?

I've accepted that it's likely KC will back into the 1 seed. It's cool. I really like our chances no matter what happens. I have a feeling this team is going to play w/ real inspiration the rest of the way.

This is so amazing to hear.

Alright. I don't want to cry anymore this week. Uncle! What a heartfelt statement, and so true. I'm thinking about it, and I'm sure we're going to have quite a few battles w/ the Bengals in the years ahead - we'll likely win some, and likely lose some, and they'll probably always be pretty crucial games. But I'm fairly sure I will never have any negative feelings about that team or fanbase or city. There is just a bond between these cities now.

What a great post. Agree 100%. I've said that I can accept whatever happens from here on out, as others have. If this is too much for the team to overcome, how can I judge that? But I also think of what Buffalo has been through this year. A very reasoned argument could be made that they have had a tougher year than any other American city. And what a boost it could be for the city to have a team go on an inspired run right now. So, I'll accept anything, with gratitude. But I'm hoping more for the run.

Because there are more of them. The big headlines that players & coaches get (when it's not related to a game) are usually the bad behavior, and we see quite a bit of that. But it's very true that the media prefers to cover the worst. I knew very little about Hamlin, aside from his being a Bill, and his play on the field. What a great person, with a great attitude. Feeling so grateful for his opportunity, and wanting to make the most of it not just for himself, but to help his community and give back. And there are tons of these guys throughout the NFL and all of sports. Just quietly helping others - not grabbing headlines with it, but improving lives. And then guys like Higgins & Taylor & the rest of the Bengals, putting everything THEY have worked for aside in a second, because they put someone's welfare above that. And we've seen nothing but support and caring throughout the NFL. Probably a sappy thread - but there is really way more good in the league than bad. It deserves some recognition & praise.

It's been such an emotional week. I've found that I have just started getting teary eyed once in awhile, without even thinking about anything. I wasn't sure if I'd even care about football anymore. But, today, I find that I still can't stand the Patriots. And want the Bills to win this game, big.

It's not really fair or probably how we should be as a human race - but life & work go on, and they should definitely play the game on Sunday (imo).

Ah - I read it wrong. Oops. They'd just have the NFC take their bye the following week, so by the time the SB rolled around, both champs would get the extra week. Not terrible, now that I understand it. I suppose at least we'd get a shot at the 1 seed.

So, if we didn't get the win against Cincy - we'd have no week off at any point, even if we made the SB. If I'm reading that right.

There is truth there, and - as is often said - EVERY fanbase has a toxic element. I do think it's more prevalent in that fanbase, at least online. Their board is nothing like any other board - it's not even close. It is an ugly place.

It would hand the Patriots the 7 seed. I really don't think that would sit well w/ Miami, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, et al. I just doubt they go that way. They'll try to make things as uncontroversial as possible. I could see the Cincy game being a forfeit, but not Sunday's game.

The game will not be meaningless. Our game has huge implications for 4 cities hoping to get the 7 seed.

The thing w/ the Chiefs is - we BEAT them. At their place. Fans there seem to be overlooking that when they imply that KC deserves the 1 seed now. But I'm more than cool to see the Bills beat them in KC again, if that's what they want.

To me, these fanbases are at opposite ends of the NFL spectrum. I absolutely love Bengals fans. I did before yesterday, and for years. They're really a lot like us, and make their team easy to root for. Chiefs fans always make me scratch my head. Their board is so far beyond toxic; I can't even go to that main board anymore. It's wretched. And not to get into politics, but the "virtue signaling" and "participation trophy" stuff is a bit of a giveaway.

It feels like this has been such a season of turmoil, with injuries, the snowstorms, the ups & downs, and now Hamlin's health. I'm where the OP is at. I'm ready for whatever comes, and I'm okay w/ it. Whatever happens the rest of the way, this will probably be the defining moment for it. The team could kind of fade away at this point, where the setbacks have hit critical mass, and it might be hard if not impossible for them to play the kind of inspired football needed for the next month+. Or, it could be that kind of rallying moment that leads to a big run. At this point, the season is a success for me if Hamlin recovers and gets back to good health. Anything else will be gravy.

What happened yesterday was the choice of both teams and coaches, from what I understand. I don't think Cincy's players could have gone through w/ the game either. Just because it was a Bills player doesn't mean the Bills have 100% ownership of the situation. I think whatever happens should be equitable at least between the 2 teams.

I always think of "Finding Nemo," and the whole idea that you can protect your kids too much, and prevent them from experiencing some really important things in life. There is always a balance there. Of course there are situations where the risk outweighs the experience they could get. But as others have stated, a lot of sports they play carry some risk. My kid played lacrosse & got a concussion, which made me 2nd guess everything. But it was such a rewarding experience on so many levels for him to play that game. For me, it's worse to think of what he would have missed by not playing it.

Nothing is going to be perfect, or even that close to it. These are unusual and extraordinary circumstances. Any team that was going to make the playoffs anyway - they're still going to make the playoffs. Maybe a team that should have had a week off won't get that now, and maybe another team will have to play one more game on the road than they might have otherwise. But everyone is still going to get their shot in the playoffs, and the teams battling for the 7 seed will still get to stake their claim on the field. Some fans will complain, but there just isn't an ideal solution here. As a Bills fan, I just want to see them get their shot in the playoffs, even if it's not as the 1 seed that they were close to earning.