USA Today via Reuters
Jan 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and head coach Zac Taylor speak with an official as the decision to suspend play is made in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati. The game was suspended with suspended in the first quarter after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) was taken away in an ambulance following a play. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and head coach Zac Taylor speak with an official as the decision to suspend play is made in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati. The game was suspended with suspended in the first quarter after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) was taken away in an ambulance following a play. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports
Damar Hamlin is still struggling for life in the hospital after collapsing on the field in Week 17. The NFL canceled the Week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals due to it. But that has given birth to a new problem in the playoff picture. And the NFL’s consideration of an odd solution for it has erupted the NFL world.
The league has to come up with a result for the game or ask the teams to replay it. But they are thinking of something else entirely.
The NFL fans don’t like the solution
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The NFL is considering calling the canceled game between the Bills and the Bengals a no-contest. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, such a decision would be acceptable. But then what about the playoff picture? The result of the game has a lot riding on it as far as the AFC seeding scenario is concerned. But the NFL has a solution to that too. And that is what is ticking off a lot of fans.
The league is considering deciding the seeding through a random number generator, according to NFL insider Benjamin Albright. The solution has erupted in the NFL world and the fans are trying to make sense of it. Fans continue to question the method. The solution doesn’t make sense to this fan.
This doesn’t make sense and seems unfair to KC.. KC would play all 17 games whilst the Bills and the Bengals only play 16, both potentially having a bye week.. effectively they would get two bye weeks (three if you count the standard bye) whilst KC is screwed this ain’t it!
— DeeDee 🏈 (@Dee34170197Dee) January 4, 2023
This can never happen, according to this fan.
This shall and won’t ever happen. Either the game is rescheduled and played, or the game is considered a tie.
— JUPO (@jupo1182) January 4, 2023
One more fan who thinks the solution is not apt.
Random number generator would never fly. That would mean the 3 teams with best records could get low seed and 3 teams that barely made it get top seeds and 1 a possible tie. NFL fans would riot if they did this
Either make it a tie or play the game. Seedings based on record.
— smehaffie (@smehaffie) January 4, 2023
Another fan thinks this is the only way out due to the schedule.
Have to think @AllbrightNFL is right as usual because no time for Bengals/Bills to finish their suspended game and start playoffs on time after Week 18.
— Robert Johnson (@BroncoRob) January 4, 2023
But this fan has the only scenario where it will not matter.
Only way it won't matter is if the Bills win, Chiefs lose, and Ravens and Bengals Tie.
— Joe Piazza (@LAOJoe) January 4, 2023
The solution is just nuts for this fan.
This seems nuts. Just seed based on winning %. Sometimes games just can't be played. It's unfortunate, but gotta move on.
— Gary M (@nuggetpalooza) January 4, 2023
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The Kansas City Chiefs benefit as things stand. But it remains to be seen what the league will eventually do. These aren’t the circumstances anyone imagined.
The unforeseen circumstances
The NFL canceled the game as the Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter. He suffered a cardiac arrest after a tackle from the Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. The medics started a CPR treatment on the field. They later transported him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
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The NFL had no choice but to cancel the game that day as nobody would want to play after such a horrific moment. Many players broke down on the field. The whole NFL fraternity is still praying for Hamlin’s full recovery. But they are eagerly waiting for the league’s decision on the fate of the game too.
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