Playoff Solutions Assuming they don’t replay the Bengals game.

[Locomark]

I just don’t see how they play the Bengals game with Hamlin’s true status not being known for days or maybe a full week or more.
 

A. I prefer they give both KC and the Bills a Bye and kill the #7 seed in the AFC. 
I know the NFL will never do this because it’s 1 less playoff game. 
 

B. If the Bills and Chiefs both win next weekend, we are 13-3, Chiefs 14-3, Bengals 12-4.  they could rank Bills and KC 1 and 2 based on conference %. Though this really screws the Bengals because they didn’t get their shot at us. (Chiefs would 9-3, Bills better at 9-2, FYI Bengals are 8-3) 
 

C. They can select by plain win % then KC gets the 1 seed (assuming they win Saturday) and we get the 2 seed. Now we get stuck with an extra game and no bye through no fault of our own, which makes me push back to my option A because why should we be punished for an act of god? 
 

Other ideas? 

[Aussie Joe]

Speculation on this seems a bit meaningless… not because of what is going on with Damar but this is lierally uncharted…

[ChrisWatson#21]

They probably resume it same score and same time left remaining some other day this week.

[Einstein]

My guess (and it’s literally just a guess) is they cancel the game completely and decide seeding by win %. Bills get 2nd seed.

[transplantbillsfan]

Get rid of the bye week before the Super Bowl and Buffalo and Cincy have their game in 2 weeks. Only playoff games are pushed back a week and who cares about the Pro Bowl.

 

Seems about the most competitively fair thing they can do at this point 

[SCBills]

6 minutes ago, Einstein said:

My guess (and it’s literally just a guess) is they cancel the game completely and decide seeding by win %. Bills get 2nd seed.

This is my guess, as based on anyone I know with medical knowledge seems quite sure this doesn’t end tomorrow with Hamlin waking up and all is fine.  (Not that he couldn’t be fine down the line). 
 

Have to think the Bills would agree to this given the circumstance, and the Bengals probably wouldn’t be loving this but also may not want to play on Wed/Thurs only to risk losing and then have a showdown for the division a couple days later. 
 

Edited January 3, 2023 by SCBills

[Einstein]

No plan to play to resume the game at this time.

 

 

[Cheektowaga Chad]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Get rid of the bye week before the Super Bowl and Buffalo and Cincy have their game in 2 weeks. Only playoff games are pushed back a week and who cares about the Pro Bowl.

 

Seems about the most competitively fair thing they can do at this point 

Personally rather just forfeit if the choice is between pushing the game 2 weeks and forfeit 

 

So potentially the Bills and Bengals are the only teams not to get a bye week heading round 1? Seems like a disadvantage 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

No plan to play to resume the game at this time.

 

 

Could be they don’t play it but I think they’re trying to ensure people understand the priority is hamlins health right now.  I wouldn’t say this is proof that they aren’t going to finish the game 

[Mantis]

5 minutes ago, Einstein said:

My guess (and it’s literally just a guess) is they cancel the game completely and decide seeding by win %. Bills get 2nd seed.

That's my guess as well.  It would be nice (but would never happen) that if KC and the Bills met in the AFC Championship game, they would play at a neutral field.  I hate to have to go to KC again because of this unprecedented situation.   

 

The only way that they could resume the game this week is if they play it Tuesday (and since the Bills are on their way back to Orchard park, it doesn't look like that will happen).  They can't play a game on Wednesday or later and then play again the following Sunday.  

 

[transplantbillsfan]

2 minutes ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

Personally rather just forfeit if the choice is between pushing the game 2 weeks and forfeit 

 

So potentially the Bills and Bengals are the only teams not to get a bye week heading round 1? Seems like a disadvantage 

 

Yet both teams and particularly the Bills are given a competitive disadvantage by not even being allowed the opportunity to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs barring a KC loss to the Raiders 

[Aussie Joe]

2 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

None of this will happen.

 

They’ll either continue the game tomorrow or Wednesday, move the Bills/Pats and Bengals/Ravens games the following week to Monday or just cancel the game altogether IMO. 

I think this is speculation on your part Scott 

[BillsfaninSB]

Use win % and let 8 teams in?  That way KC does not have a clear gift. 
 

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by BillsfaninSB

[Heavy Kevi]

7 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Get rid of the bye week before the Super Bowl and Buffalo and Cincy have their game in 2 weeks. Only playoff games are pushed back a week and who cares about the Pro Bowl.

 

Seems about the most competitively fair thing they can do at this point 

 

And the NFL can get what they want in another huge ratings boon. All the stakes would be set, and the game would have very similar implications.

 

They can easily move playoff games. They often don't even know when/where games are going to be until less than a week out. 

 

Then the Bills (and other teams watching seeding) don't get a free pass (chiefs) or an unfair advantage (Ravens).

 

Makes sense to me

[Cheektowaga Chad]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Yet both teams and particularly the Bills are given a competitive disadvantage by not even being allowed the opportunity to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs barring a KC loss to the Raiders 

Both teams had 16 weeks to gain home field to say they never had a shot isn't right 

 

Moving the game to the week after week 18 gives the 5 other playoff teams a direct advantage over the Bills and Bengals 

[Aussie Joe]

Just now, BillsfaninSB said:

Use win % and let 8 teams in?  That way KC does not have a clear gift. 

8 teams in ? Jets still a chance? 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

13 minutes ago, SCBills said:

This is my guess, as based on anyone I know with medical knowledge seems quite sure this doesn’t end tomorrow with Hamlin waking up and all is fine.  (Not that he couldn’t be fine down the line). 
 

Have to think the Bills would agree to this given the circumstance, and the Bengals probably wouldn’t be loving this but also may not want to play on Wed/Thurs only to risk losing and then have a showdown for the division a couple days later. 
 

It’ll take several days to know for sure but normal vital signs a couple days after the injury is a much different situation than watching your friend fighting for his life leaving the field in an ambulance and having to finish the game.  I’m not saying I agree with it but I would not be surprised to see the game moved to Wednesday or something like that and sliding the bills and bengals prospective games back next week 

 

im with you though personally I don’t think it’s any less emotionally difficult if they play the game in a day or two 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[BillsfaninSB]

1 minute ago, Aussie Joe said:

8 teams in ? Jets still a chance? 

Browns too I think.  Just spitballing here.  Don’t envy the NFL in attempt to figure this out. 
 

 

[HappyDays]

6 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Yet both teams and particularly the Bills are given a competitive disadvantage by not even being allowed the opportunity to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs barring a KC loss to the Raiders 

 

I can't begin to care about this even a little bit. If Hamlin comes out of this with his health and we're playing on wildcard weekend I'm as happy as can be.

[Aussie Joe]

3 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Of course it is. That’s why I said “IMO”. I have no idea what they’ll do. Just my opinion.

 

Cant imagine they’ll just get rid of the SB BYE so the Bills/Bengals can make up this game. 

cool …

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

4 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Of course it is. That’s why I said “IMO”. I have no idea what they’ll do. Just my opinion.

 

Cant imagine they’ll just get rid of the SB BYE so the Bills/Bengals can make up this game. 

They might offer the bills/bengals finishing this game later this week and slide the bills and bengals games back next week but not fully canceling the bye before the superbowl.  And if the bengals and bills both don’t want to do that they’ll probably just tie the game. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Just Jack]

8 minutes ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Use win % and let 8 teams in?  That way KC does not have a clear gift. 
 

 

 

Putting 8 teams in was the plan for the 2020 Covid season.

 

NFL adopts plan to expand playoffs if COVID-19 affects regular season (usatoday.com)

[BillsfaninSB]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Agree with everything except tie…. Probably just won’t even count the game.

 

6 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

They might offer the bills/bengals finishing this game later this week and slide the bills and bengals games back next week but not fully canceling the bye before the superbowl.  And if the bengals and bills both don’t want to do that they’ll probably just tie the game. 

I seriously doubt they push back Pats/Bills and Ravens/Bengals.  All 4 will not want less time to prepare for the playoffs. 
 

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by BillsfaninSB

[Cheektowaga Chad]

3 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

 

Putting 8 teams in was the plan for the 2020 Covid season.

 

NFL adopts plan to expand playoffs if COVID-19 affects regular season (usatoday.com)

I could have sworn they came up for COVID rules for this season as well but I can't find them 

 

And one of the rules was that they would go by win percentage or they would dump the 17th game (extra inter conference game) of teams involved in tie breaks 

[What a Tuel]

3 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

 

Putting 8 teams in was the plan for the 2020 Covid season.

 

NFL adopts plan to expand playoffs if COVID-19 affects regular season (usatoday.com)

 

I think this would be the play if a whole week of games were canceled but I dont see them affecting the trajectory of the playoffs that much because one game wasn't played.

 

Can someone explain why the Bengals and Bills only have 16 games played presents such a problem?

[Gugny]

19 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

None of this will happen.

 

They’ll either continue the game tomorrow or Wednesday, move the Bills/Pats and Bengals/Ravens games the following week to Monday or just cancel the game altogether IMO. 

 

Talk about going out on a limb!

[Buffalo Ballin]

Simple.

 

Have opposing coaches on a Live Cam. Have a NFL Rep do a coin flip. Problem solved.

[Bferra13]

2 minutes ago, What a Tuel said:

 

I think this would be the play if a whole week of games were canceled but I dont see them affecting the trajectory of the playoffs that much because one game wasn't played.

 

Can someone explain why the Bengals and Bills only have 16 games played presents such a problem?

Only reason I can think is the NFL pissing off a LOT of fantasy football people.this game most likely affected 70% of all fantasy championships in some way. I dont think they let that fly.

[Aussie Joe]

Just now, Buffalo Ballin said:

Simple.

 

Have opposing coaches on a Live Cam. Have a NFL Rep do a coin flip. Problem solved.

Multi Billion sport comes down to a coin flip 

 

Simple 

[What a Tuel]

Just now, ScottLaw said:

Just trying to add some common sense. Suggesting the SB schedule being altered because of this one game seems a little far fetched to me.

 

Agree but we all know they should bump it to presidents day weekend anyway! Just start now 

[Buffalo Ballin]

2 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Multi Billion sport comes down to a coin flip 

 

Simple 

Yeah. What's so difficult about it? Just get it over with.

 

Can't gift Kansas City Chiefs anything.

No one gets hurt in this process and can move on quickly to the next game.

Doesn't hurt the schedule.

Neither us or Cincinnati have an unfair advantage with the coin flip. It's a neutral process.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Buffalo Ballin

[Billznut]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo Ballin said:

Simple.

 

Have opposing coaches on a Live Cam. Have a NFL Rep do a coin flip. Problem solved.

Bills haven’t had high success on coin flips this year so far. Wouldn’t like our chances. 

[What a Tuel]

1 minute ago, Bferra13 said:

Only reason I can think is the NFL pissing off a LOT of fantasy football people.this game most likely affected 70% of all fantasy championships in some way. I dont think they let that fly.

 

My brother is in a championship game right now in this scenario!

 

He has Allen and Bass and he is playing against Burrow and is losing 97 to 90.7 when play stopped. 

 

That said I don't think the NFL cares about Fantasy that much. 

[Nitro]

IMO the NFL cancels the game.  Go by win percentage to seed the teams.  Can not see the adding another playoff team or getting rid of the bye.  NFL does not want to make changes that impact the whole league.  They usually like to keep things simple.   

[Aussie Joe]

4 minutes ago, Buffalo Ballin said:

Yeah. What's so difficult about it? Just get it over with.

 

Can't gift Kansas City Chiefs anything.

No one gets hurt in this process and can move on quickly to the next game.

Doesn't hurt the schedule.

Neither us or Cincinnati have an unfair advantage with the coin flip. It's a neutral process.

 

What had this got to do with KC ?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Aussie Joe

[Bferra13]

1 minute ago, NUT said:

I'm sure fantasy football is very far down the list here.

Just playing devils advocate. People played this for 17 weeks religiously. Plus you have casinos running these leagues... wat do you do with that? Fantasy is a bazillion dollar biz.

[Thrivefourfive]

Finish this game Thursday. Push back Buffalo and Cincy’s week 18 games to Tuesday. Push back Buffalo and Cincy’s playoff games to Monday. Then make sure they play the following Sunday. 
 

The season will go on. The Bills will have to take the field again, even if the worst happens with #3. The games will have to be played. 

[Buffalo Ballin]

1 minute ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Finish this game Thursday. Push back Buffalo and Cincy’s week 18 games to Tuesday. Push back Buffalo and Cincy’s playoff games to Monday. Then make sure they play the following Sunday. 
 

The season will go on. The Bills will have to take the field again, even if the worst happens with #3. The games will have to be played. 

I'm actually ok with this instead of my coin flip proposal.

 

We can't gift anything to Cincinnati either. Why are we taking more L's?

We been through tons this season than any other previous season. And that's BEFORE Damar Hamlin's horrific injury. Cincinnati should NOT be handed this victory because of win percentage. WTF is that?

 

That win percentage does not determine the outcome of a singular game.

 

 

[Bferra13]

1 minute ago, NUT said:

Ask all the people involved on what is less fair. Fantasy football being screwed up or the possibility of a 24 year old not waking up.

Sorry, didn't mean to cause a stir. Just thinking of NFL logistics here. This is a big problem for them. 

[Draconator]

There are a hella lot of implications here. I don't want to be an NFL Official trying to decide what to do, because whatever they decide, no one is going to be happy with it.