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

[boyst]

42 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

There won't be a forfeit. The NFL wouldn't want egg on its face for forcing one team to take the loss because of an injury like this. There either will be a tie, double win, or no contest declared. Plus, Cincy would not accept a win by foreit. KC, if they had any balls, wouldn't accept the number 1 seed this way either.

the way of the mighty dollar stands between this and reality.

 

backwards first: KC wouldn't care. there isn't going to be an asterisk by their #1 seed and they won't care. their worthless fanbase would believe it was desrved, too.

 

cincy would gladly accept a forfeit of this - they don't want the injury but they have nothing to lose and after next weekend only the possibility to gain a 1st.. still they don't want to risk an injury.

 

the nfl won't have a choice to take a forfeit if both teams and players say "no." and the media fallout is already radioactive against them right now.

[Mango]

I have said 100 times the last 18 hours, I don't care about win, loss, or tie. Move on. Playing this game doesn't make sense. Take the L, or tie, or don't count it, whatever. 

I will say that SoS makes no sense for the 1 seed where we stand now. The only difference is this one game due to extreme circumstance where a guy died and was brought back to life. Those two teams hold the head to heads over KC. I think you likely hold 1. Buffalo 2. KC 3. Cincinnati assuming all three win next week 

There is no positives or negatives given to any team. 

If Buffalo loses, go ahead and move them to the 3 seed. If KC loses, CIN moves to the 2. It is that simple. 

[boyst]

48 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

Then the Bills probably won't get the bye week to rest.

they can rest starters against the patriots if they knew this game already had a result of a tie, loss, forfeiture, or cancelled game.

 

that's what is ridiculous. they should just, and for our benefit decide the game and we rest our starters on sunday.

[The Red King]

1 minute ago, boyst said:

they can rest starters against the patriots if they knew this game already had a result of a tie, loss, forfeiture, or cancelled game.

 

that's what is ridiculous. they should just, and for our benefit decide the game and we rest our starters on sunday.

 

Not true.  If Buf loses/lost they would be tied with Cincy.  If the Bills beat the Pats and Cincy loses to BAL, CIN drops to #3 seed and BUF gets #1 or 2 depending on the KC game.  If the Bills lose to the Pats they are locked into #3 no matter what.

[Boatdrinks]

12 minutes ago, zow2 said:

I read somewhere that if tied with the same record Bills and Bengals would have the same conference record and same common opponents records.

So if it comes down to strength of victory,  our Rams and Bears games drag the Bills

down below Cinci.

Conference record not the same. Bengals have 1 more loss currently so if Bills and Bengals hold serve this Sunday Bills finish with superior conference record. This is where the no contest, tie , or resume play comes in 

[Figster]

3 minutes ago, boyst said:

they can rest starters against the patriots if they knew this game already had a result of a tie, loss, forfeiture, or cancelled game.

 

that's what is ridiculous. they should just, and for our benefit decide the game and we rest our starters on sunday.

To me this makes the most sense. BB of course would love this idea. Call the Cinci game a tie.

 

You could even add another bye team or two to each conference playoff format. 

[Punching Bag]

14 hours 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. 

 

A tie actually hurts both teams.  It is ironic that it happened at this game since it affects playoff slotting while there were a lot of games which would not impact schedule.

[oldmanfan]

There is no perfect solution.  What matters right now is to see if the Bills players are in any frame of mind to play Sunday.  If God forbid Damar doesn’t make it then how do you make them play?

[boyst]

3 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

A tie actually hurts both teams.  It is ironic that it happened at this game since it affects playoff slotting while there were a lot of games which would not impact schedule.

if KC somehow lucks into the #1 seed they're going to get what they deserve. they will get beat early because they feel so entitled, they've played so sloppy, they are overhyped and the whole world will root against them.

 

they're not a thrive through being an underdog

16 minutes ago, The Red King said:

 

Not true.  If Buf loses/lost they would be tied with Cincy.  If the Bills beat the Pats and Cincy loses to BAL, CIN drops to #3 seed and BUF gets #1 or 2 depending on the KC game.  If the Bills lose to the Pats they are locked into #3 no matter what.

isn't cinci/balt on saturday?

[chongli]

51 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

 

I think the NFL's official statement that the game won't be played this week also included a statement about no changes to the games this weekend. 

 

They said at the time no changes were planned, but it is not final.

19 minutes ago, The Red King said:

 

Not true.  If Buf loses/lost they would be tied with Cincy.  If the Bills beat the Pats and Cincy loses to BAL, CIN drops to #3 seed and BUF gets #1 or 2 depending on the KC game.  If the Bills lose to the Pats they are locked into #3 no matter what.

 

Plus, Miami would be angry we rested against the Patriots.

6 minutes ago, boyst said:

if KC somehow lucks into the #1 seed they're going to get what they deserve. they will get beat early because they feel so entitled, they've played so sloppy, they are overhyped and the whole world will root against them.

 

they're not a thrive through being an underdog

isn't cinci/balt on saturday?

 

No, it is Sunday.

[Carmel Corn]

1 minute ago, boyst said:

if KC somehow lucks into the #1 seed they're going to get what they deserve. they will get beat early because they feel so entitled, they've played so sloppy, they are overhyped and the whole world will root against them.

 

they're not a thrive through being an underdog

IMHO - seems to me that KC has enjoyed a pretty "lucky" season and the Bills situation enhances their chances.  KC has benefitted from a weaker-than-expected division, some lucky wins and a fairly "healthy" team this entire season.  Our Bills on the other hand have had to endure a number of curve balls including key injuries to specific position groups, mishaps at the worst time (ex. Viking's loss), a disrupted schedule (including a home game in Detroit) and now last night's horrific injury.  I don't think any team has had to deal with as much adversity as our Bills, while the Chiefs have and will continue to benefit from being luck (including home field advantage now).

[Figster]

1 minute ago, oldmanfan said:

There is no perfect solution.  What matters right now is to see if the Bills players are in any frame of mind to play Sunday.  If God forbid Damar doesn’t make it then how do you make them play?

This is the life they chose and most pro's in the NFL simply love the game of football. Damar in all likelihood loves the game of football. As a player you push through it.  You make sure Damars efforts on the field this season mean something and get the same results Damar would want the close knit team of Buffalo to have in my humble opinion.

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

24 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

A tie actually hurts both teams.  It is ironic that it happened at this game since it affects playoff slotting while there were a lot of games which would not impact schedule.

Oh yea it def does but there’s not a lot that can be done that doesn’t negatively impact somebody.  

[What a Tuel]

I've thought about it and this is my solution:

 

1-8-23 - Week 18 - Play normally

1-15-23 - Formerly Wildcard Weekend - Instead its just Bills vs Bengals

1-22-23 - Formerly Divisional Weekend - Instead it is Wildcard Weekend

1-29-23 - Formerly Conference Championships - Instead its Divisional Weekend

2-5-23 - Formerly Bye Week for SB Participants (Pro Bowl stuff) - Instead Conference Championships

2-12-23 - Super Bowl - Play normally

 

Sure some plane and hotel reservations will get messed up but at most for what? Just Wildcard weekend? Playing field for Divisional round can only possibly be known for 1st seeds which is up in the air for both conferences anyway so that is the risk you take.

 

Super Bowl remains the same. 

 

I just don't see how they don't replay this game but then the Bills happen to play the Bengals in the playoffs 2 weeks later maybe? And that they can do? Doesn't make sense.

 

To summarize this method messes up some plane and hotel reservations but is fair for all involved teams.

 

Its the only solution.

Edited January 3, 2023 by What a Tuel

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Tie helps Cincy - guarantees them a division win.  They lose a shot at a bye week, but they basically get one against baltimore since division is no longer in doubt.  

Tie hurts buffalo - they now lose tie breaker to KC and are basically a lock for the 2 seed.  Both teams are likely to rest starters in that situation.  

The one benefit to all this is KC playing Saturday.  If they lose, buffalo scenario changes completely and they can still earn a wildcard bye week.  

 

 

Coin flip hurts cincy - if they lose there's a chance they can lose the division, and therefore any additional home games.  Winning the flip gives them a chance at a 1st round bye week.

Coin flip helps buffalo - They already won their division and a flip gives them a chance to earn home field with a win over NE.  Or rest starters should KC lose.   A coin flip loss means very little since they would be pretty well locked into 3 seed at that point, and also would use week 18 to try and get healthy.  

 

Add 8th playoff team - probably have to do it for both conferences.  No bye weeks, home field is still important as a 1 seed, but everyone's playing WC weekend.  

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Bleeding Bills Blue

[BillsFooteball]

10 minutes ago, What a Tuel said:

I've thought about it and this is my solution:

 

1-8-23 - Week 18 - Play normally

1-15-23 - Formerly Wildcard Weekend - Instead its just Bills vs Bengals

1-22-23 - Formerly Divisional Weekend - Instead it is Wildcard Weekend

1-29-23 - Formerly Conference Championships - Instead its Divisional Weekend

2-5-23 - Formerly Bye Week for SB Participants (Pro Bowl stuff) - Instead Conference Championships

2-12-23 - Super Bowl - Play normally

 

Sure some plane and hotel reservations will get messed up but at most for what? Just Wildcard weekend? Playing field for Divisional round can only possibly be known for 1st seeds which is up in the air for both conferences anyway so that is the risk you take.

 

Super Bowl remains the same. 

 

I just don't see how they don't replay this game but then the Bills happen to play the Bengals in the playoffs 2 weeks later maybe? And that they can do? Doesn't make sense.

 

To summarize this method messes up some plane and hotel reservations but is fair for all involved teams.

 

It’s the only solution.

Unfortunately, this is what will likely happen  but just like other scenarios it sure isn’t great from game point stand wise. So all playoff teams get a huge much needed bye (the true advantage of #1 seed) to get healthy and prepare. Major disadvantage to bengals and bills for whoever is not 1 seed, major advantage to opponent. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by BillsFooteball

[jrb2590]

9 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Coin flip hurts cincy - if they lose there's a chance they can lose the division, and therefore any additional home games.  Winning the flip gives them a chance at a 1st round bye week.

Coin flip helps buffalo - They already won their division and a flip gives them a chance to earn home field with a win over NE.  Or rest starters should KC lose.   A coin flip loss means very little since they would be pretty well locked into 3 seed at that point, and also would use week 18 to try and get healthy.  

 

they also could have lost or won the game had it continued so its hard to say it hurts cincy before it is flipped -- maybe they would have lost the game but win the flip, no one knows. 

 

if they lose it, then sure it hurts cinci, but they had the same odds to win it as buffalo. the game itself was practically a tossup before it started and probably when it ended, so this is the fairest way in my opinion if they dont replay it. there was no knowing who would win the game, and there is no knowing who will win the coin toss. if cinci wins the toss, then ravens fans will be mad but there was no guarantee that cinci was going to lose the game, and same with chiefs fans if buffalo wins it... but one team was getting a W and L barring a tie to start with

Edited January 3, 2023 by jrb2590

[What a Tuel]

8 minutes ago, BillsFooteball said:

Unfortunately, this is what will likely happen  but just like other scenarios it sure isn’t great from game point stand wise. So all playoff teams get a huge much needed bye (the true advantage of #1 seed) to get healthy and prepare. Major disadvantage to bengals and bills for whoever is not 1 seed, major advantage to opponent. 

 

True, I didn't consider the extra bye but Bills and Bengals barely played a game and although the circumstances are tragic, physically they are getting somewhat of a bye week right now. Not sure if that is inappropriate to say and am in no way making light of the situation for them. It is certainly worse for them than not having a bye. Mentally/Emotionally they are surely shredded. Not sure there is a way to avoid that unfortunately.

 

Coin toss after Week 18 is an interesting idea...

Edited January 3, 2023 by What a Tuel

[BigDingus]

A weird option that would make the NFL more money & even make another fanbase happy - allow a theoretical 8th seed for the AFC, no team gets a BYE, and all 8 teams square off WC weekend. 

 

Sure, the Chiefs lose their BYE, but they just as easily could've lost it to the Bengals or Bills depending on how the season played out anyway. All 3 teams are forfeiting their chance at a BYE, while also giving another fanbase a chance to participate in the post season. Plus, the NFL gets another game & more revenue from it.

 

Obviously, this won't happen, but it at least screws over everyone equally & has a bit of upside for another team.

[Dick_Cheney]

Just now, BigDingus said:

A weird option that would make the NFL more money & even make another fanbase happy - allow a theoretical 8th seed for the AFC, no team gets a BYE, and all 8 teams square off WC weekend. 

 

Sure, the Chiefs lose their BYE, but they just as easily could've lost it to the Bengals or Bills depending on how the season played out anyway. All 3 teams are forfeiting their chance at a BYE, while also giving another fanbase a chance to participate in the post season. Plus, the NFL gets another game & more revenue from it.

 

Obviously, this won't happen, but it at least screws over everyone equally & has a bit of upside for another team.

I actually think if KC stepped up and said they were willing to do this, it might have a chance of happening.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

19 minutes ago, jrb2590 said:

they also could have lost or won the game had it continued so its hard to say it hurts cincy before it is flipped -- maybe they would have lost the game but win the flip, no one knows. 

 

if they lose it, then sure it hurts cinci, but they had the same odds to win it as buffalo. the game itself was practically a tossup before it started and probably when it ended, so this is the fairest way in my opinion if they dont replay it. there was no knowing who would win the game, and there is no knowing who will win the coin toss. if cinci wins the toss, then ravens fans will be mad but there was no guarantee that cinci was going to lose the game, and same with chiefs fans if buffalo wins it... but one team was getting a W and L barring a tie to start with

 

No one has to agree to anything - commish gets to decide.  

6 minutes ago, Dick_Cheney said:

I actually think if KC stepped up and said they were willing to do this, it might have a chance of happening.

 

Or just do it anyway.... they don't have to be willing to do anything.  

[Punching Bag]

31 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

Oh yea it def does but there’s not a lot that can be done that doesn’t negatively impact somebody.  

 

Put a number of balls equal to number of wins for each three teams into a bowl and have blindfolded commissioner pick one - that is #1 team. Then he picks until he gets either one of remaining teams who becomes #2 team with remaining team be #3 team.  This "suspension" affected odds of each team winning #1 seed.

11 minutes ago, BigDingus said:

A weird option that would make the NFL more money & even make another fanbase happy - allow a theoretical 8th seed for the AFC, no team gets a BYE, and all 8 teams square off WC weekend. 

 

Sure, the Chiefs lose their BYE, but they just as easily could've lost it to the Bengals or Bills depending on how the season played out anyway. All 3 teams are forfeiting their chance at a BYE, while also giving another fanbase a chance to participate in the post season. Plus, the NFL gets another game & more revenue from it.

 

Obviously, this won't happen, but it at least screws over everyone equally & has a bit of upside for another team.

 

This solution favors NFC.  Have no byes in either conference.

[Thrivefourfive]

6 hours ago, TH3 said:

I donot want to talk FF…but I will as I won👍

If I lost, you would’ve read about that instead.

[BigDingus]

1 minute ago, Limeaid said:

 

Put a number of balls equal to number of wins for each three teams into a bowl and have blindfolded commissioner pick one - that is #1 team. Then he picks until he gets either one of remaining teams who becomes #2 team with remaining team be #3 team.  This "suspension" affected odds of each team winning #1 seed.

 

This solution favors NFC.  Have no byes in either conference.

 

I suppose so, but that just adds more teams you're screwing over into the mix. Your way makes more sense for parity purposes, but it also complicates things in a negative way for an additional team. 

 

Having one AFC team play one additional post season game isn't a huge deal, especially when the #1 seed is only in that position due to the #2/#3 squads missing an entire game from the schedule. Both #2/#3 teams have a head-to-head win over #1, so it'd be harder for them to cry foul about not getting their BYE when they did not control their own destiny going into last night (unlike the current #2 seed).

[Thrivefourfive]

Gotta stop with the coin flip scenario. Nobody is flipping a coin with a player in Hamlin’s condition. This isn’t for home field for round 1 of D5 CIF Southern Section. Stop with the coin flip.. it’s no way to handle a situation like this. 

[The Red King]

4 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Gotta stop with the coin flip scenario. Nobody is flipping a coin with a player in Hamlin’s condition. This isn’t for home field for round 1 of D5 CIF Southern Section. Stop with the coin flip.. it’s no way to handle a situation like this. 

 

What other way gives players control of their own destinies without forcing them to revisit the trauma or give KC the 1 seed?

[rusty shackleford]

2 minutes ago, The Red King said:

 

What other way gives players control of their own destinies without forcing them to revisit the trauma or give KC the 1 seed?

A two-man sack race held over consecutive Sundays.

[davspo]

This team is in no place to play football until they find out what is going to happen to their brother.  If he is OK they will play hard.  If not, who knows.

 

I say leave it to the players and let the players speak through the captains.  If they have no news or are burying there brother for forfeit Sunday, let them grieve with the rest of the community and come back to football the following week if they so choose. 

 

There is no fair in this.  There is only class and character.  I think the right thing to do is to forfeit the game.  It really is meaningless to these guys.  Cincy was the epitome of class last night.  The coach, organization, fans and community.  Not putting them in a worse position would show sportsmanship back.

 

 

[buffalobillswin]

Josh Allen vs Joe Burrow in a long throw contest seems like the fairest compromise to me. 

[Dick_Cheney]

Anyone know what other boards, particularly Chiefs, Bengals, Ravens, Pats boards, are saying regarding this question? Just curious if there's any overall perspective difference.

[boilertiger]

38 minutes ago, Dick_Cheney said:

I actually think if KC stepped up and said they were willing to do this, it might have a chance of happening.

 

KC fan here. I say lets do the 8 team no byes playoff. I am good with any option to be honest.

 

KC should not gain a competitive advantage from this.

[BillsFanSD]

14 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Gotta stop with the coin flip scenario. Nobody is flipping a coin with a player in Hamlin’s condition. This isn’t for home field for round 1 of D5 CIF Southern Section. Stop with the coin flip.. it’s no way to handle a situation like this. 

The problem with this argument is that you could make the exact same argument about any solution.  "How can you flip a coin while Hamlin is in the hospital?"  "How can you resume the game with Hamlin in the hospital?"  "How can you call it a tie with Hamlin in the hospital?"

 

What happened to Damar sucks.  It's tragic.  But life doesn't stop just because of a tragedy, and the NFL is under the gun because it's already Tuesday of Week 18.  It may feel gross, but they're going to have to make a decision and run with it. 

[Kiva]

10 minutes ago, davspo said:

This team is in no place to play football until they find out what is going to happen to their brother.  If he is OK they will play hard.  If not, who knows.

 

I say leave it to the players and let the players speak through the captains.  If they have no news or are burying there brother for forfeit Sunday, let them grieve with the rest of the community and come back to football the following week if they so choose. 

 

There is no fair in this.  There is only class and character.  I think the right thing to do is to forfeit the game.  It really is meaningless to these guys.  Cincy was the epitome of class last night.  The coach, organization, fans and community.  Not putting them in a worse position would show sportsmanship back.

 

 

This is not how you cope with grief, actually would make it worse. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

9 minutes ago, Dick_Cheney said:

Anyone know what other boards, particularly Chiefs, Bengals, Ravens, Pats boards, are saying regarding this question? Just curious if there's any overall perspective difference.

I was reading through the chiefs forum briefly and it seems like they feel terrible about the whole situation but don’t believe their team should be penalized with games getting rescheduled  and whatnot 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, oldmanfan said:

There is no perfect solution.  What matters right now is to see if the Bills players are in any frame of mind to play Sunday.  If God forbid Damar doesn’t make it then how do you make them play?

 

I really wonder if the Bills just forfeit the game Sunday and treat it as their bye week.  I almost think they need it in order to mentally and emotionally prepare.  Because even if Damar ends up making it and being on the road to recovery 🙏 you just have to think there's a lot of emotional exhaustion from the players right now... and it's already a short week.

 

Hell, I could barely sleep last night.  I can't even imagine how the players are doing right now.

[GreggTX]

Move the playoffs back a week? Unlikely, but fair. I don't believe Damar's health is a factor moving forward for scheduling purposes. He'll probably be out of commission for some time. They aren't going to prevent us from playing while he's on the mend. I would really like to know the extent of the damage to his heart. Is it life altering? Will he retire? Heck, will he live? I'm anxious to hear. I really hope he makes a full recovery.

At any rate, we shouldn't lose the #1 seed over this. That would be so unfair. I also don't see us forfeiting any game(s). That's not going to help anything or anyone except the other playoff teams.

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by GreggTX

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, Carmel Corn said:

IMHO - seems to me that KC has enjoyed a pretty "lucky" season and the Bills situation enhances their chances.  KC has benefitted from a weaker-than-expected division, some lucky wins and a fairly "healthy" team this entire season.  Our Bills on the other hand have had to endure a number of curve balls including key injuries to specific position groups, mishaps at the worst time (ex. Viking's loss), a disrupted schedule (including a home game in Detroit) and now last night's horrific injury.  I don't think any team has had to deal with as much adversity as our Bills, while the Chiefs have and will continue to benefit from being luck (including home field advantage now).

 

Just being honest... this team feels cursed right now.

 

Along with all our injuries that didn't seem season ending at first but somehow became that way (Hyde, Von, Crowder), the Bills had to deal with a generational snowstorm forcing them to play an away game, resulting in 3 road games in 11 days and then they got stranded in Chicago for Christmas.

 

And now this.

 

If this team can find a way to still win the Super Bowl, I wonder if there's ever been a tougher and more resilient Super Bowl Champion.

 

Heck, their practice season started with a mass shooting in their community.

 

Just insane.

[Doc]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Just being honest... this team feels cursed right now.

 

Along with all our injuries that didn't seem season ending at first but somehow became that way (Hyde, Von, Crowder), the Bills had to deal with a generational snowstorm forcing them to play an away game, resulting in 3 road games in 11 days and then they got stranded in Chicago for Christmas.

 

And now this.

 

If this team can find a way to still win the Super Bowl, I wonder if there's ever been a tougher and more resilient Super Bowl Champion.

 

Heck, their practice season started with a mass shooting in their community.

 

Just insane.

 

Unbelievable injuries have wrecked what was supposed to be a SB-winning season.  If they somehow manage to win it, great, but I'm not faulting them if they don't.

[Italian Bills]

Giving a win to both Bills and Cincy will leave everything intact, with all three teams (KC also) with the chance to get the n.1 seed with a win and other possible teams losses. 

[transplantbillsfan]

2 minutes ago, Italian Bills said:

Giving a win to both Bills and Cincy will leave everything intact, with all three teams (KC also) with the chance to get the n.1 seed with a win and other possible teams losses. 

 

KC can argue this would be unfair to them.