Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

So should the Chiefs be penalized for something they had nothing to do with. Don't think there's a solution out there that won't benefit or penalize some team.

Yeah didn't go through the numbers for the second week. But it sounded good!

Details, details!!! LOL

Here's my latest thought: Assuming Bills KC, Bengals all win this week, that clinches division for Bengals Week "19" No NFC playoffs, all have bye. In AFC, Bengals Bills play game, plus 4 v 7 and 5 v 6 playoff games in AFC. That then eliminates two teams in AFC and finalizes seedings. Following NFC playoffs start and in AFC week #1 seed has bye and the 2 and 3 seed plays the winners from prior week. Only draw backs to this KC could have two weeks off in a row if they get the #1 seed, but they would next play the lowest seeded team left, so oh well. Plus two weeks off could even hurt them. Only other unfair advantage would be if Bills win out and earn the #1 seed, then KC had a bye before their first playoff game. But overall keeps most teams playing regularly.

I believe I've read the NFL as some point each year gives out awards for Trainer of the year, hot dog vendor of the year, etc. I'll be very surprised if Denny Kellington doesn't win that award for athletic trainer based on what is being stated in his role Monday night. I do wonder too how much help the Bengals athletic staff provided Monday night on the field. With normal injuries the opposing team staff stays away, if it's NE Belichick will come after them and chase them away. But this was different, I've read they assisted, but didn't see any details or recall seeing them on the field.

Belichick would fine the crap out of them!

The one team this is unfair to is the Bengals and to a lesser degree Bills as every other team gets a bye the week before first round, but they have to play. For those reasons I'd rather bag the game. Don't know if this has been suggested yet, but here's my idea. Assuming KC, Bengals, and Bills don't lose this coming weekend, based on win percentage and which team didn't want to play, give KC #1 seed, Bengals #2, and Bills the 3 purely for seeding purposes only. IF in 2nd round Bills Bengals meet, flip a coin for home field. But would also be OK playing game in Cinnci. IF Bills KC meet next round conference championship round, since KC got #1 seed based on one more game played, play the game on neutral site, the dome in Indy would be a nice half way point. But if there is this rule that a game can't be canceled if it impacts another team, likely will end up playing it, though would still unfairly effect Bills and Bengals if everyone else has a bye.

He is a Barbarian!

Yes agree, but that that point when still on the field don't know who in the NFL was saying go warm up. Was it the referee on the field, maybe some low level NFL person assigned to each game to monitor. I also don't recall ESPN stating the referee just walked off the field and is one the phone likely talking to someone in the NFL headquarters either. I don't recall seeing any of the officials ever leaving the playing field. The officials on the field likely don't feel they have the authority to stop the game either.

And to my initial point of what you see on TV with medical shows isn't what often really happens, in real life there likely are many more older less healthy people with heart issues that hospitals see than young healthy ones so that tips the odds too. Just curious you mention these two people who were young and healthy, but the one had severely blocked coronary arteries. How old was this person as to me untrained medically those two things don't usually go together, young and blocked arteries. I'm hoping you consider old much older than I would as that would be good health news for me!

No but don't think everyone should be ripping the NFL for how they reacted to an unprecedented event that likely have no real sections of the manual in how to deal with. They are just flipping through the pages trying to figure out what to do, so they react to the easiest thing to say, warm up for 5 minutes.

I can think of three events in my lifetime of similar nature with huge number of eyes watching, however what happened tonight pales in comparison to these events in the grand scheme of things worldwide. Kennedy getting shot, Regan getting shot, and 9-11. Probably also the 72 Olympics at Munich though I don't recall much about that one. In both cases TV kept broadcasting what happened, they don't go off the air. They try and give updates as best they can, that's their job. Complicating things further is that tonight was being broadcast by sports journalists who aren't use to dealing with tragedies.

Yes saw a tweet somewhere

I think even then in a workplace, the foreman or lead person on the floor may be saying "OK everyone get back to work" because he or she doesn't know what else to say or do. But then higher authorities will make changes, but it takes some time when dealing with unprecedented circumstances. The ref saying 5 minutes doesn't know what else to say.

Yeah I've read that too. It was in regard to these medical TV shows that show doc giving CPR and patient comes back and everything is fine. But read that in real life, much rarer outcome.

Right now it's one of these things where no one has any real past experiences in similar situations to know what to do.

I don't really think Peyton is all that great a coach. He had one of the top 5 QB's in the league in Brees, won one SB, but that's it. He had 3 seasons with a 7-9 record in the middle of his career. Also lost a number of playoff games where he had decidedly the better team. Ask Diggs about that. One other thing I found of interest. I've read here a number of times quotes from people that they'd replace McD with Payton in heartbeat. Paytons career winning percentage is .631%, McD is .635%. I will note if the Bills lose tonight Paytons record is then better. LOL So is very close, but my point is Payton is a good coach but not as great as many make him out to. Probably could argue that Harbaugh did more in SF with less talent

I don't know, you can grab Harbaugh for free, supposedly Saints want a 1st rounder for Peyton, will they get that, who knows? That somewhat levels the field though I'd think.

From todays Athletic, an article talking about he last big big Bills-Bengals game in 1988 playoffs. The way the game was back then: A Wil Wolford quote: I don’t really remember the game very well because in the second quarter I’m trying to make a tackle on an interception and I got knocked out cold. I remember getting ready to make a tackle and the next thing I know I’m on the ground looking up, and Joe Kelly is dancing over me like a prizefighter. He hit me from the side and I never saw it coming. I stumbled toward Cincinnati’s bench. They’re all laughing. I’m not sure who got me straight to come back over to our sideline. Back then, concussions were not an injury. I kept playing but I don’t remember much, and it was not very good. Couple other interesting quotes from the article: Thurman Thomas: I remember saying to myself, “If we got this far, what can be our limit?” We got the AFC Championship Game with Jim throwing 15 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Today, you’d be in last place! This quote may explain why Boomer Esiason doesn't seem to be a real big Bills fan: At least (the Seahawks) tried doing it on the field of play as opposed to some other teams that tried to do it in the commissioner’s office and then STEAL the concept … and go on to four straight Super Bowls. Didn't remember this but couple hours prior to kickoff Levy had petitioned the NFL to outlaw the No-Huddle https://theathletic.com/4048401/2023/01/02/bills-bengals-afc-championship/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

Not surprising Jethro Tull would think this with all he has smoked. Keep dreaming, though many with tickets to game would call that more a nightmare to start. There's many better games than Bills Pats for Sunday night as pointed out. If Bills win tonight, then very likely Bengals Ravens will be Sunday night game for division title. If they lose, then more likely Lions-Packers or one of the NFC east games.

Think if the Bills were to lose tonight, then no reason to show Bengals-Ravens Sunday night as AFC North sewed up plus if KC wins Saturday #1 seed locked up. Then maybe slightly better chance Bills game is Sunday night only for NE angle but still wouldn't rate it high.

Think I'd still give the Jets the nod to be the best of the 3 going forward as they do seem to have built the best all around roster, when factoring in all three have big question marks at QB. Pats have the most cap space, but need to convert that into an actual winable roster. Can easily sign players that never work out.

Bills are going to be either 1, 2, or 3 seed. Bengals can go anywhere from the 1 seed (low likelihood) or drop all the way down to 6 with two loses

Don't know how many articles I've read that all say: with a Bills loss, setting up trips to Cincinnati and Kansas City in the playoffs Good chance Bengals could lose following week to Ravens which then would put the Bills back at #2

Actually it's 2026 and they could be playing in Vegas again in 2027 if both they and the Raiders finish in same position in standings