Dan

There was about 5:58 left in the 1st quarter. Just over 9 mins of game time had elapsed.

Did you just wake up in a bad mood today? Not get enough coffee?

I don’t know that it had to be played, but they did need to determine a “winner” for the playoff ramifications. Hence a simple coin flip or use win percentage, as many suggested was already the plan during 2020. i can’t see the logic in the current proposed and being discussed group of convoluted scenarios. Would a coin flip be the most fair solution for the Bills and Bengals? Maybe not, but it was their decisions not to play the game ...a decision I 100% support.. that lead to the “coin flip” result.

If you say so. LOL.

Thanks. Thats kinda where I’m at with it. Just play the games this weekend then we’ll see how it all sorts out Sunday night. In the meantime, just keepin praying for Hamlin and the team to keep getting better.

Am I the only one that thinks the nfl found the most convoluted solution possible? I think they figure if no one understands it, then we’ll all assume its fair.

In all respects, it was way worse than a “normal” week and not even close to a bye. I’d imagine the players and staff feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. What they’ve gone through is the the type of stuff that ages you... not rests you.

My point is... you determine that mechanism (no contest bengals game; win percentage to determine seeding - latest idea floated). Announce it. Then let play the games this weekend and let it the seedings fall where it may. You don’t play the games first.. then announce the plan... which basically means the league has all the data and picks the seeding or is perceived that way. It is ..A.. goal. But its not ..THE.. goal. we can still accomplish the ultimate goal without the #1 seed. There was a fairly dramatic event on Monday that made the #1 seed far less important..and difficult to ensure without replaying the Bengals game. My point here is that too many people seem supremely focused on how we can get the #1 seed, and all I’m saying is that would be nice, but its not mandatory and given whats happened, I think the team isn’t as focused on that as some here are.

2 thoughts: 1. The league should announce the plan for handling all this today or tomorrow. They can’t wait till after the during or after the weekend. Because then they’re introducing perceived bias. At least this way the teams have “some” control over the outcome by winning or losing. 2. The number 1 seed isn’t the end all be all. The 1 seed isn’t the goal. So people need to get over it. Whatever scenario the league comes up with, the Bills will likely lose the 1 seed. The only way to guarantee we keep it is to play the Bengals and Pats and win both. And the team doesn’t want to play the Bengals yet. So get over it.

I agree with whatever the league and teams decide here for seeding. Trying to play/finish the Bengals game is just not a good idea. Just figure some way to seed the teams thats agreed upon and let it work itself out from there. This isn’t about the Bills getting the 1 seed, its about finding a way to move forward that’s fair and doesn’t cause the Bills players any more pain than they already have.

Agreed. And at the same time... waiting to see what unfolds with Damar. If they said anything now, its rushed and callous. The league protects the shield.

We all get through life’s hardships in our own way and on our own time. I hope we can all love the game like we have, but i agree and understand that its going to take time. I, FWIW, appreciate your thoughts. Along this line, if they do play this weekend, and Tremaine misses a tackle or Dane gives up a touchdown... or doesn’t even play. I really hope people understand and don’t let emotion get in the way say things they shouldn’t.

I think the team is doing it right. No media today, walk through practice which says to me... lets get together and talk about this and see how everyone is while slowly getting our minds on football. The hardest part, as has been mentioned, is the waiting for news. If Damar comes out of sedation and is showing signs of improvement this afternoon/evening we can all breathe a sigh of relief and continue praying while we get back to normal. If the opposite happens... well I’m not going to think about that.

Thats a bit how I see it. Separate the 2. The game was a no contest, it goes in the books as such. No need to replay it in any fashion. End of discussion. But then you do have to figure out the playoff seedlings. Win percentage is one way and perfectly acceptable. But you do have to het KC and Baltimore (i think that is all) to agree to that. Or in my mind you do. A coin flip also does the same but it just involves the Bengals and Bills to determine the “winner” for seeding purposes.

It would seem to me the easiest (easiest maybe not best) solution for the league regarding playoff seeding is to determine a winner/loser from Monday night. They can call it a no contest in the record books. But they need to figure out a winner for playoff matchups. Coin flip, rock paper scissors, pick a number, etc. just have the 2 teams agree to it and go. This way... no other teams are involved, its quick, and you can resume the playoffs on time.

I haven’t read all this thread... so my sentiments may be misplaced or already spoken. If so, you can sue me. But I must agree... this Bills’ season has been exhausting for fans and I’m sure it had to have been for the players... from the death of Dawson’s brother to Kim’s illness to the snow storms, injuries, and now Hamlin’s fighting for his life. I was hoping we had finally see the worst of this season and could just focus on football. But that’s just not the case. Parts of me just want this season over so we can all reset. But, other parts, think of what the Bills mean to me and my family. So i want them to find a way to play on... And continue the never ending quest for a championship that in many ways is more than just a sports championship. When we watch the Bills play its more than a sport. I think of my mom, my sisters, my childhood dreams. Its more. So I don’t want the season to end. But then again I never want it to end. I support this team and the players for who they are, what they represent in my heart and in my soul. If they lose a close game in KC or forfeit the season to mourn a friend, I’ll still support them. Winning and losing isn’t as important as the family this team inspires; its not as important as the lives it brings together. One day we’ll have our championship... but for today; I’d be happy to have our Bills family whole again. praying that it will be

One thing i am certain of... prayers are powerful and at times like this its often all we can do. So keep Hamlin and his family in your prayers, just as we pray for all those that are dealing with more than they should carry. Speculation is natural, but none of us have the answers. So be kind and considerate.

I posted this in another thread, but it makes more sense here: “One impression I will say I had watching the first 3 series... the Bengals came out on fire. They were being extremely physical, hitting hard and seemed determined to try and intimidate the Bills into submission with hard hits and quick scores. In just 3 series we had 3 players injured.“ My initial thought was.. if the Bills survive the first quarter, the adrenaline wears off and then the Bills would take control. It would still have been a tight game, but rarely do teams maintain that level of intensity for 4 quarters. My other thought.. the busted play near the goal when Allen dirts the ball because the Bengals blew it up. It seems we do that a couple times a game. On a screen? Is the Bills’ offense that predictable? Is there a line call that tips the defense? Do we just suck at screens? This isn’t the only time where it looks like the defense was in the offensive huddle.

My prayers tonight are with Hamlin and his family. I can only hope he pulls through and has a good life. And then the Bills players as a whole (imagine what Knox is going through). This is a complete tragedy. if they have to forfeit, so be it. My heart is with Hamlin, not the playoff seeding now.

I thought they played that a few weeks ago in Buffalo.

Yeah. The best thing is probably them winning.. making the playoffs and everyone thinking he’s a legitimate NFL QB for one more season. ??

Watching this game... it’s just bad. I hate seeing Pats win. Mac Jones is just about the most unlikeable player I’ve seen since Brady. The whole franchise just needs to go away. But then... who wants to see the Dolphins in the playoffs? I just wanna see an rogue asteroid strike the field and end this.

There’s entirely too much football left to be played to state/think this. This is a huge game for several reasons. Easily the most important game since... Miami. LOL. But winning it doesn't even guarantee the #1 seed (unless KC forgets theres a game tomorrow). It’s a big game, in the spotlight, against last year’s Super Bowl representative, and gives us an edge in the playoff seeding with only one game left. But its not the most important game of this season, let alone the franchise history.

I would say its the biggest game, since week 6 against the Chiefs. Easily. Huge playoff implications!

The stat isn’t misleading. Its not “in his first 5 full seasons playing”. Its the first 5 years in the league. The fact that Mahomes didn’t play his first year doesn’t change that. It’s probably why the record has stood so long - good players didn’t play in every game in their first 5 yrs. It is what it is... a positive for the team and our QB, no need to diminish it.