AMPHAR

I think the league will be silent on the week 17 game status as it relates to the playoffs. Declaring it "no contest" this week creates a lot of drama in several spots while Hamlin is still in critical condition. The major wrench in the works will be IF the Bengals lose in Week 18. I think if they win; then the league can manage the seeding somehow. I think the easiest scenario for the league is if KC wins, Bengals win, Buffalo loses. That isolates the drama between 2 and 3 seeds and they could potentially kick that can down the road after the wild card results play out. Slightly more difficult scenarios are All 3 win or KC loses with Buffalo/Bengals win. That's manageable but creates drama to the rightful owner of the No. 1 seed and who should get the "bye". If KC wins bengals are gone, but if Buffalo wins they can lay claim to 1 seed. The game will have to be played if Bengals lose. IMO, they simply can not award or deny Baltimore the division championship. Both teams deserve to have that settled on the field. But then Buffalo might not care pending their result. Messy scenario here.

I think Bengals coaches probably have already cemented the message of "Win and it gets clear". The Ravens also have a tough message because a win doesn't necessarily do them any good as it stands right now. They could go all out, win the game and still be a wild card team (Either by a declaration of no contest or Bengals win in make up game). I could see the Ravens folding this week then gearing up for whatever happens in Wild Card round.

My guess is that after week 18 if its a matter of how Chiefs, Bills, Bengals are seeded 1-3, the game will not be made up. Some team will have a grievance on the final seeding but its the path of least resistance. If the Bengals drop the game then it gets muddy.

People were claiming the Bills Defense was looking like they were going to take the field. Burrow was warming up. Then the coaches talked with refs and that was it. I don't think you could realistically make the Bills forfeit the game and optically that would cause a black eye. Unfortunately at this point at least 1 team will have a grievance. It really is choosing a path that will cause the least about of waves.

Shazier had it coming. Simply a dirty player that had no problem spearing players since his days at OSU. It came back to bite him. Tua was simply an idiot decision by the Dolphins or whoever they scapegoated. Plenty of people called both of those out before hand. Yeah Paycor stadium is not off to a great start.

I think the league needs wins by KC, Buffalo, and Cincy to void week 17 Buffalo/Cincy. If Cincy and Buffalo win with a KC loss then both those team are getting screwed out of a chance at 1 seed. Right?

Man, Bart Scott and ESPN are a special kind of tabloid. Can't believe the clip I just watched.

The AFC/NFC champ games are already sold and have different time slots. The broadcast partner would be the only 1 to gain in that scenario with a larger assumption advertisers would pay more. I doubt it.

Moving Superbowl location isn't impossible because they prepare an alternate site. Moving Superbowl date would be next to impossible and you really run the risk of safety there. There is so much coordination that goes on with the FBI etc.

Hard to get my head around any playoff/season scenarios until Hamlin's situation is clear. Really hope its not the worse but I have a gut feel it will be. If its the worse; not sure what level of emotion will take place.

Agreed. Burrow was great the first start of his career, but this season after that 1st Qtr vs. Baltimore we have witnessed him morphing into Superstar. Its almost a requirement to be an Elite QB to somehow have an unassuming WR running making plays of a sudden. TI says hi.

Youtube is wonderful. The historic road to the Superbowl is filled with similar circumstances. Really underscores you need great players playing their best and luck. The fact that so many ran with the "fluke" scenario for last year's team just underscores the lack of respect the rest of the NFL world has for the Cincinnati market. Now here we are maybe the best team in the AFC with 3 pro bowlers. Come on. Just about every Conference winner in the history of the Superbowl era has a few things break their way that could be considered a fluke. I hope they roll Monday night. Get Burrow in that top MVP conversation spot.

Long week. Joe won his 3rd AFC player of week award this season. So would a win and big offensive performance jolt him up to MVP status?

Crazy things happen in the NFL mostly because the talent is spread across the league. As fondly we remember the 1988 AFC Champ Bengals team they were damn close to losing the AFC Central title the final week. Took a ball off the upright in the final seconds and then a forced fumble in OT to beat the defending Champs the final week or the Oilers would have won the division. Then the following day (Bengals played on Sat) the Bills lose to a horrible Colts team at home to give the 1 seed to the Bengals. What a swing of events back then.

Rather see the Steelers win and Bengals win on Monday to clinch. Then the Ravens probably can't improve playoff seeding dramatically the last week sit starters. Bengals win and then can root against Chiefs to take an L.

In regards to signing a tackle. They'll likely add to the spot once Collins is officially IR'd. If Superbowl is your goal then there is more than a month left. Whitworth and Williams certainly should be in play for at least a kick of the tires. Factor in depth and 6th OL snaps that they have used this season. Those guys aren't interested or aren't ready/better than what you have so be it. I think the Rams signed Weddle last year after not playing for 2 years and got starting snaps out of him immediately for a Superbowl run. You aren't looking for a 18 week all-pro starter. Looking for someone as insurance and to fill the gap maybe suck up some snaps.

IMO, Lamar is an elite play making QB that struggles with touch on passes. We'll see how this season and off season plays out, but I thought they had a bad draft on the draft while most talking heads were stroking them off. Lamar needs better WRs to help with his weakness. I expect Baltimore to franchise and then have some drama with him, maybe a trade. If trade, then Baltimore will need to nail the high level picks or they in big Colts type trouble.

With anything awards related in the NFL, if you are a Bengal player you must leave no doubt in a major stat category or slowly build up a following. Often Bengal players get recognized after a couple of seasons or more of high level play. The Cincinnati sports media simply isn't that big and neither is the fan base. A deserving Bengal player gets snubbed the outrage will be muffled compared to others. You can see that in the pre season projections. Universally it seemed the Bengals were picked as fall off and a fluke. Back when Marvin got 5 years and 6 out of 7 years in the playoffs, almost every year the Bengals were picked to be the playoff team that wouldn't return. Meanwhile when national people talk about the Ravens or Steelers defense its completely based on yesteryear players and accomplishments.

Yet most national talking head had the Bengals as the most likely to fall off.

I have to think there is probably some scenarios involving ties or some very remote stuff happening preventing showing the Bengals as "clinched" already. Basically the way I take that scenario is 1 more Jets loss and the Bengals are the 7th seed even if they go 0-3.

Nantz was a wet sponge on the Pratt pick.

Mixon has been apart of the solution to the "tampa 2" problem. Cap growth is coming and the Bengals will be multi millions under. I don't see an issue with Mixon's cap hits through 2024. Mixon has already matched his receiving totals from last year.

I don't know they did but the DB was all out trying to get involved in the run game. Perfectly timed and executed. Steelers and Bettis used to have perfect timing against the Bengals defense for some kinda gadget. When Hurst comes back they should explore the ole TE throw back screen either off a fake or have a RB throw it.

Joe's look of confidence after that TD. Awesome.

I had the endzone view too. I thought it was a Red Zone Int. Just an incredible play and ball. Not to mention it look like Chase saw it at the last possible second. Great catch too.