There was no TNF game scheduled in the US for today and the NFL is unsure how to proceed with the regular season, with the Bills and Bengals having two games to play before the playoffs begin and until those are completed, the top three positions in the AFC Conference cannot be determined. It is hardly fair to ask both Buffalo and Cincy to play Sunday/ Wednesday (which has been mooted) and then Saturday or Sunday again, it puts them at a huge disadvantage. Things are further complicated by both teams also scheduled to play playoff bound/hopeful opponents this Sunday. The NFL has the power to award the suspended game to the Bengals ( who were leading 7-3, but it was barely halfway through the first quarter) , or to call it a "tie". Cincy will probably be ok with either, as that would give them the divisional win and at least the #3 seed, the Ravens would lose their chance to win the division and hard to see how they would be happy. It would also mean that the Bills could not finish as the #1 seed, if the Chiefs win on Saturday, whereas two wins would have given them that position. Goodness, it is complicated!  Of course, a man's life is far more important than a game of football and teams just have to accept the decision, whatever that might be, but I don't see how they can replay/restart the suspended game with the postseason schedule as it is now, there is just no time and surely, no mood for it. 

 

Having said that, there is always a two week gap between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl, so the playoffs could be pushed back a week , or the NFL could do so only for the AFC games ,which would probably please the television companies more, as they would not have an almost empty schedule for one week and we all know that they and the money they bring, call the tune in all sport. That would mean the AFC champion would be at a disadvantage in the biggest game of the season, but it is an option and perhaps, the fairest one. It is very hard to see how the Super Bowl could be pushed back, it is such a huge and global event and feels like an immoveable beast!

 

Our thoughts remain with Damar Hamlin and his family and the Bills reported yesterday that he was showing "signs of improvement".

 

Good luck!