AMPHAR

It seems like Goodell and thus an extension of owners manage their policies while reading twitter. It just simply isn't very hard to say - Bills/Bengals no make up week 17, prepare for Week 18 as if the game will be made up; once results are know the impact of the canceled game will be assessed and action going forward. That's a pretty fair stance. I don't buy professional football teams should know before hand in order to compete.

I think the Ravens/Bengals situation is fair and I think its better than trying to squeeze in a Bills/Bengals game. The fault in the proposal as far as I can tell is they created a loophole by using 1 logic across the board. Consideration needs to be given to the divisional rounds among the 2/3 seed potential match up. Bengals lost an opportunity to even the records with the Bills and win the first tie breaker. With a KC loss this Saturday the Bengals then also lost an opportunity to match their record. If KC wins as expected then the drama is between the Bills. This is why I'm shocked a proposal was done prior to week 18 results. More than likely they only need to address Bills/Bengals which most fans way before this proposal saw a neutral sight game as the solution. Shouldn't be this hard, IMO.

The Ravens/Bengals scenario is completely fair. With a Bengals win; any potential match with KC or Buffalo puts them on the road without the same consideration that Baltimore got. That is not fair at all. It should be addressed in the same manner.

I'm not in favor of ignoring it. The divisional round should have the same considerations. Do a coin flip, neutral sight or whatever. There's just no way its fair for KC or Buffalo to be awarded a divisional round home match up with the Bengals, IF the Bengals win on Sunday.

I just hope the initial release was focused on AFC Champ game and there are some considerations for Divisional round games to be announced. That round should be treated the same. Doesn't make sense not to.

Loophole. Let's be honest Buffalo got the best (standings wise) out of that MNF game being canceled. It was the right call (humanity wise). However, that decision removed a legit chance for the Bengals to even the records WITH the tie breaker. That can't be ignored. That potential match up should be addressed, IMO. Its the same reasoning why the league can't just award the Ravens a home game with a sweep of the Bengals.

Yeah that's a loop hole. That potential match up should be addressed, IMO.

Potential Buffalo game is the only thing worth bitching about. The other stuff is as fair as it can be. Burrow at Home, favored by 7 against a back up QB. If they don't win and lose a coin toss so fucking be it.

Another stupid point. The home/away games are based on the scheduling formula set way in advance.

Well shouldn't the Bengals just beat the Ravens? At home?

Its keeping the Bengals from the 2 seed if all 3 teams win, I believe.

Teth doesn't make sense. The unbalanced schedule is on a rotation between conferences. The Bengals got the extra home game last and will get it next year. Not sure of the point here. The Ravens loss is not removed either. Not sure of his point because the Bengals are awarded a home game with a win despite having played fewer games. Stating playing Joe Burrow in the Jungle is a 50/50 is the dumbest thing in that whole rant. I think the line is -7.

This. With the Bill/Bengals game canceled AND a Bengals loss the league couldn't fairly award a home game traditionally reserved for the division winner. A coin toss is about as fair a way it could happen. I don't know why a potential Bengals/Bills divisional round game isn't addressed. If the Bengals have to go up there without a coin flip that's the biggest bullshit ever.

Another board reporting Competition Comm voting on how to handle playoff seeding/format, or whatever.

Tremendous news.

Great news IF he's awake. Just fantastic.

Florio suggesting momentum is building for Bills/Bengals cancellation. I still do not expect a firm announcement from the league until week 18 results are known. Bengals need to deliver on their part against the Ravens and make it an easier decision. I don't like the Ravens just like any Bengal fan, but that would be a tough sell. Hey you beat the Bengals twice but still aren't division champs because this game they didn't play we aren't going to finish it and basically count it as a tie. As hard as it is to focus right now and its understandable, the easier path for the Bengals is to win. Still wondering what the Ravens will actually do in the game because they are looking at a possible Cincinnati rematch in Wild Card round.

Not sure why the media is on witch hunt on trying to find out IF they were told to play. So what if they were? They got to the right spot and as far as I know there isn't some lingering beef between the teams and league office. Taking Zac's recent presser and common sense paints an easy to believe picture. No team coach/player on the field was thinking about playing while the ambulance was on the field and Hamlin being treated. Ambulance leaves and its briefly normal protocol then bang they go from thinking about a player injury to the reality of playing and then quickly realize how difficult that would be then moved to the correct decision.

Alot of trash out there in social media. Unfortunately, I think, ESPN structures their opinion shows to play towards that sometimes. There are many ways to say state Hamlin was hurt tackling Higgins. They elected to word it that put Higgins in a place of blame for routine football play. Disgusting.

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?