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.