sullim4

Feels like the neutral site for BUF/CIN would be Cleveland, and for BUF/KC would be Indianapolis. Will be interesting to watch, hopefully it's not necessary.

The circumstantial evidence would seem to point towards Al Riveron making that statement. He is the liaison between Parry and the league and would be the league mouthpiece delivering information to ESPN.

I think the NFL is desperately hoping for: CIN win, BUF win, KC loss. That would mean the game is irrelevant. CIN would win the division and BUF would win the #1 seed regardless of the outcome of the game. I think the nightmare scenario is a Baltimore win. That means they need this game to determine the winner of the division. Edit... although I suppose if CIN wins, they should get a crack at the #1 seed as well.

I am thinking the "no contest" result is the likely outcome. The Bills and Bengals will play 16 game seasons, with standings determined by winning percentage. A tie would have potentially negative consequences on other teams with respect to tiebreakers for things like strength of victory, conference record, etc. Pretending like the game was never played feels like the most fair result for all the teams involved. That will mean the Bills likely get the 2 seed if they beat NE on Sunday.

I can tell you that the 5 minute thing almost certainly came from the NFL at 345 Park. After "Bottlegate" (where Terry McAulay called a game early in Cleveland due to the crowd), on-field officials are instructed to contact New York and let them make the call. That's almost certainly what happened here. Shawn Smith has a good reputation in the NFL for doing the right thing and I suspect that Taylor, McD, and him were instrumental in postponing the game. Goodell OTOH looks like a jackass.

It is also on ABC and the Mannings will be on ESPN2.

This is the same crew that called IND/MIN. They should get next week off. Horrible game so far for the zebras.

I am ready to be done with the '60s throwbacks (and certainly those ridiculous red get-ups) to be able to see this...

This is correct. I hope for Mayfield's sake that he stays in Los Angeles because the Jets as a franchise are miserable at developing quarterbacks. Garoppolo makes a ton of sense for both parties.

That was my immediate thought when I heard this. Their offense is a tire fire and they need someone who can sort Wilson out since they are locked into that albatross of a contract. Not sure if Bieniemy is that guy, but he's at least familiar with that franchise. Wilson ain't Patrick Mahomes though.

I mean... I have been to a number of late Dec/Jan games during the Bills drought years, and there were plenty of blue and red seats in the stands there. Between the choice of Christmas Eve at home, or watching a team on par with the Marrone or Rex Ryan-era Bills during snow... I'll take the former.

Akili Smith has to be part of the conversation. So does Kijana Carter.

I just... I don't even know. I think I could make a case for him being the worst starter on offense.

Terry McAulay is a decent ref... but he has experience dealing with bad calls. He's the white hat in this incident:

What a sack!

Wow... still get the feeling the Chiefs are gonna take this one, but that challenge by Lovie with the resulting TD is making things interesting.

This is a football fundamental, and this defense is absolutely atrocious at it. They go for style points, trying to punch the ball out, rather than make the tackle and stop the runner from reaching the line to gain. Please look at this play again and tell me the tackling is acceptable. This isn't a one-time thing either, it feels like this happens several times each game:

Your name is literally "FireChans". I mean... I guess Modkins was the offensive coordinator for Gailey? But Chan was the de facto offensive coordinator.

I've seen terrible tackling performances before, but I think the first half tonight took the cake. It seems like the defensive staff is telling the players to try to punch the ball out rather than make the tackle, and this is costing the team significant yards allowed after contact. They cannot continue to do this - they will lose to good teams in the playoffs playing defense like this. I see several threads trying to go after Dorsey in this game... but I was a lot more disappointed in the defensive performance, especially in the running game.

Saffold is... bad. Very bad.

They don't have the best track record...

This defense... I mean it's pathetic, no?

It's Ian Eagle's son.

I am a big fan of the individuals offering parking on their lawns on the south side of 20A, just east of the stadium. It's very easy to get out - just a right turn onto 20A and there aren't a ton of lights. East of Orchard Park, you can then link up to a number of options that will take you north to the Thruway.

I mean... is he any worse than John Brown? I don't get the coaching staff's unwillingness to give Shakir a chance; perhaps they are seeing something in practice or on film that tells them he isn't ready. Beasley knows the offense and he'd be taking McKenzie's spot in the slot. McK is a headcase that's wildly inconsistent. I think the question is whether you'd have McKenzie or Beasley out there... and I've seen enough of McKittrick that I want to see them try something else. If Beasley is the best FA they can find deep into December, and aren't willing to go the OBJ route, I'd be fine with this assuming he concentrates on football and leaves social media alone.