Now What Happens?

[EDGECRUSHER]

The game was canceled/delayed last night and that was the right call. Just keeping it football related for a second, now what? This weekend is the last weekend of the season and this game had major playoff implications. Buffalo is current #1 seed but with a loss, the Chiefs or Cincy would be. The Bills have already returned to Buffalo, it would be harsh to ask them to play tomorrow or Thursday and then again on Sunday or even Monday. Same with Cincy.

What do you think will happen? Calling it a tie would hurt both teams.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Best guess.  Bills Bengals game is finished Jan 15.  Playoffs are delayed by one week.  Bye week between Conf Champ and superbowl gets canceled, 

[EDGECRUSHER]

Best guess.  Bills Bengals game is finished Jan 15.  Playoffs are delayed by one week.  Bye week between Conf Champ and superbowl gets canceled, 

That would probably be the last scenario they want as it affects all 32 teams and not just a few. I don't think there is an easy answer here, but the end result may just be the Bills and Bengals eating a tie or a no contest and Buffalo losing the #1 spot.

[Pappy13]

That would probably be the last scenario they want as it affects all 32 teams and not just a few. I don't think there is an easy answer here, but the end result may just be the Bills and Bengals eating a tie or a no contest and Buffalo losing the #1 spot.

Not sure how that impacts any team that's not in the playoffs? And at least all the teams in the playoffs are impacted the EXACT same way. This seems like a pretty decent solution.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Not sure how that impacts any team that's not in the playoffs? And at least all the teams in the playoffs are impacted the EXACT same way. This seems like a pretty decent solution.

That is a fair point, forgot about the loser teams like us. Still, do they want to shuffle the schedules for all of the other teams? Haven't some arrangements and tickets been sold already? Whatever the solution, it won't be perfect so I don't think it will be criticized too much anyway. I'm glad they stopped the game, it was the right thing to do. However, I kinda think the Bills and Bengals made the decision for the NFL.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

That is a fair point, forgot about the loser teams like us. Still, do they want to shuffle the schedules for all of the other teams? Haven't some arrangements and tickets been sold already? Whatever the solution, it won't be perfect so I don't think it will be criticized too much anyway. I'm glad they stopped the game, it was the right thing to do. However, I kinda think the Bills and Bengals made the decision for the NFL.

They would not be shuffling any games or arrangements.  Other than Bills Bengals none of said games are yet announced.

[Dave Gray]

Play it this week is my best guess.  Then flex next week games to Monday??

[Pappy13]

I'm glad they stopped the game, it was the right thing to do. However, I kinda think the Bills and Bengals made the decision for the NFL.

Well the Bills and Bengals players/coaches etc are the reason you're stopping the game for the most part. Hard to continue to play under the circumstances although the whole Tua thing was pretty scary as well and they continued to play that game.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Well the Bills and Bengals players/coaches etc are the reason you're stopping the game for the most part. Hard to continue to play under the circumstances although the whole Tua thing was pretty scary as well and they continued to play that game.

I don't think that Tua was comparable.   Players get injured in many games.  First time I can recall one needing cpr.

[EDGECRUSHER]

League announced the game won't be resumed this week, which was kinda assumed but now official.

No word on what to do in the future. The "best thing" for the NFL might be for Buffalo to lose to the Pats while the Chiefs win, so that the game won't matter as far as the #1 seed goes. I don't know what that means for the 2 seed though, but teams will be inconvenienced one way or another, so it's just about the least worst thing now.

Of course, losing to the Pats is terrible for us but whatever.

[CF DolFan]

^^^ Only 1 game separates the Bills and Cincy for the 2nd and 3rd seeds. Both of their last two games matter.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^ Only 1 game separates the Bills and Cincy for the 2nd and 3rd seeds. Both of their last two games matter.

2nd vs 3rd seed doesn't matter all that much.  1 vs 2 is a bye week. but 2 vs 3 isn't all that important. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

2nd vs 3rd seed doesn't matter all that much.  1 vs 2 is a bye week. but 2 vs 3 isn't all that important. 

It's a home game in the 2nd round against each other if both teams advance. That's pretty important. Not as big as homefield throughout and a bye week, but could be significant. I know they wouldn't publicly complain, but behind the scenes I am sure the Chiefs will be lobbying for this game to be made up if they tried to rule it a no contest and Buffalo gets the #1 seed.

[dolphins4life]

It's a home game in the 2nd round against each other if both teams advance. That's pretty important. Not as big as homefield throughout and a bye week, but could be significant. I know they wouldn't publicly complain, but behind the scenes I am sure the Chiefs will be lobbying for this game to be made up if they tried to rule it a no contest and Buffalo gets the #1 seed.

13-3 vs 14-3

Who gets it in that particular scenario?

[masterfins]

2nd vs 3rd seed doesn't matter all that much.  1 vs 2 is a bye week. but 2 vs 3 isn't all that important. 

If KC can lock up the #1 seed then I could see them flipping a coin to determine #2 and #3 if needed.  It does give the Bills more impetus to beat NE though.