Official: (Bengals) Game will not be resumed this week UPDATE: OFFICIALLY CANCELLED

[BRH]

12 minutes ago, Bob Jones said:

I read either in this thread or another thread in here that NFL rules and bylaws MANDATE that the league commissioner must reschedule this game so it can be resumed. Is this not true? Not seeing much discussion about this in here.

 

Rule 17.1.4.  The game can only be terminated (or canceled) if to do so would not change its ultimate result or adversely affect any other team.

 

 

[Boatdrinks]

14 minutes ago, Bob Jones said:

I read either in this thread or another thread in here that NFL rules and bylaws MANDATE that the league commissioner must reschedule this game so it can be resumed. Is this not true? Not seeing much discussion about this in here.

It’s been discussed and I believe it is correct barring a natural disaster 

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

The NFL needs to cancel or postpone this weekend. There is no way the Bills or even Cincinnati will be able to concentrate on practicing let alone play a game.

[Green Lightning]

49 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I think... watching a close friend receive CPR and AED is traumatic.  Trying to resume "business as usual" at that point is impossible.

 

Regarding the future if things take a turn... you have some time to process things.  It's less about your last moment with a person, and more about their life, their memory, their impact.

True, but often focusing on something else is healing. Playing on for Damar if you will. I wonder what he would tell the team? i bet he'd say win the damn title. 

 

[Dick_Cheney]

1 minute ago, Green Lightning said:

True, but often focusing on something else is healing. Playing on for Damar if you will. I wonder what he would tell the team? i bet he'd say win the damn title. 

 

I do believe this is a valid argument/sentiment, but it's also a deeply personal decision each player has to make.

[Boatdrinks]

3 minutes ago, ControllerOfPlanetX said:

The NFL needs to cancel or postpone this weekend. There is no way the Bills or even Cincinnati will be able to concentrate on practicing let alone play a game.

This will not happen 

[Green Lightning]

Just now, Dick_Cheney said:

I do believe this is a valid argument/sentiment, but it's also a deeply personal decision each player has to make.

i agree and have faith in McD to do the right thing for and with the team, whatever it may be. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

True, but often focusing on something else is healing. Playing on for Damar if you will. I wonder what he would tell the team? i bet he'd say win the damn title. 

 

 

I'm saying having a few days for some processing, conversations, counseling, etc. is a lot different than 5 minutes to get your s--t together.  

[Rochesterfan]

1 hour ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Yea, at this point flipping a coin is a realistic option.

 

Again, I harp on the total inadequacy of this Billion $ business if they dont have some tie breakers to consider permanently canceled games.

 

No giving both teams a tie is not a fair option, that basically hands the #1 seed to the  Chiefs.

 

They do - people are just complaining because the plan involves winning percentage and therefore KC becomes the #1 seed.

 

I am not sure why you do not think they have a plan.  I believe it was ESPN earlier that posted the specific rules stating that it lies with the commissioner in any game either started or prior to that is cancelled or postponed to review and see if it can be played and if it can not be played - it is a non game for the purposes of records.

 

They will look at options - they will decide it has little bearing and they will call it a non contest and then similar to the Covid plan last year - if there are an uneven number of games it will go to win %.

 

People are jumping through trying to creat rules - like the NFL will award both teams a win, or a tie, or a coin toss and no of those are in the rules and will not be used.  The NFL will follow exactly as it is laid out and when the Bills and Bengals say they can’t play and need to focus on the playoffs - they will rule it a non-event and they will only have 16 games.  
 

It will have no impact on who makes the playoffs and will have minor impact of seeding, but they will get the right teams in without screwing up the schedule.

 

 

[Ghost_002!]

9 minutes ago, ControllerOfPlanetX said:

The NFL needs to cancel or postpone this weekend. There is no way the Bills or even Cincinnati will be able to concentrate on practicing let alone play a game.

  I agree and nor should the BIlls, Cincy or any team, coach or player be focusing on the games right now, i understand its a business and they have to conduct business but IMO until that young man can make a full recovery or at least get an update toward the positive. i think it would be best to put things on hold at least until next week. Things are still very serious right now. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Ghost_002!

[Bob Jones]

14 minutes ago, BRH said:

 

Rule 17.1.4.  The game can only be terminated (or canceled) if to do so would not change its ultimate result or adversely affect any other team.

 

 

So it definitely could adversely affect other teams, so I guess "by the rules", it should be scheduled to be resumed.

[Drew21PA]

Let McDermott play Zac in Madden and let it be it

[ExiledInIllinois]

How about if any of these three teams get to AFC Championship AND something quirky  happened due to this situation... Hold it at a neutral site.  Say Arizona. It's getting ready to host SuperBowl anyway!

[RoyBatty is alive]

4 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

They do - people are just complaining because the plan involves winning percentage and therefore KC becomes the #1 seed.

 

I am not sure why you do not think they have a plan.  I believe it was ESPN earlier that posted the specific rules stating that it lies with the commissioner in any game either started or prior to that is cancelled or postponed to review and see if it can be played and if it can not be played - it is a non game for the purposes of records.

 

They will look at options - they will decide it has little bearing and they will call it a non contest and then similar to the Covid plan last year - if there are an uneven number of games it will go to win %.

 

People are jumping through trying to creat rules - like the NFL will award both teams a win, or a tie, or a coin toss and no of those are in the rules and will not be used.  The NFL will follow exactly as it is laid out and when the Bills and Bengals say they can’t play and need to focus on the playoffs - they will rule it a non-event and they will only have 16 games.  
 

It will have no impact on who makes the playoffs and will have minor impact of seeding, but they will get the right teams in without screwing up the schedule.

 

 

Maybe they have a plan, I am not aware of it that it is a "NON-GAME" and I guess look at %s

[Motorin']

22 minutes ago, BRH said:

 

Rule 17.1.4.  The game can only be terminated (or canceled) if to do so would not change its ultimate result or adversely affect any other team.

 

 

 

That's not what that says. It says if the Commissioner deems it impossible to continue a game due to emergency... The Commissioner has the authority to adjust the procedures in whatever manner the Commissioner deems appropriate...

 

The clause you are citing would seem to give him the authority to cancel a game that could be played, if it has no effect on any other team. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Motorin'

[billsfanfrom83]

Could they just make the game a tie if they choose not to play

[BigDingus]

2 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

It will have no impact on who makes the playoffs and will have minor impact of seeding, but they will get the right teams in without screwing up the schedule.

 

Yes, but seeding itself is huge, & people on all sides will be weary because it again gives KC homefield throughout the postseason.

 

It also has the side-benefit of guaranteeing Mahomes MVP. All the stats Burrow or Allen could've put up with an additional game (and we already saw a glimpse of what could've been a great offensive game) get thrown out the window too. I know this isn't crucial, but fans of all teams are going to raise an eyebrow seeing only the Chiefs ended up benefitting from this game.

 

With the AFC playoffs again going through Arrowhead, Chiefs getting a BYE by default & Mahomes getting an uncontested MVP, it'll make fans from all around cry foul. The NFL is in a very tough position, and I doubt those outside of Buffalo or Cincy will be very reasonable.

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, billsfanfrom83 said:

Could they just make the game a tie if they choose not to play

 

The Commissioner can do whatever he seems appropriate. 

[RoyBatty is alive]

As a slightly refreshing aside, Andy Dalton just donated $3k to Dama Hamlin toy drive.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

3 minutes ago, BigDingus said:

 

Yes, but seeding itself is huge, & people on all sides will be weary because it again gives KC homefield throughout the postseason.

 

It also has the side-benefit of guaranteeing Mahomes MVP. All the stats Burrow or Allen could've put up with an additional game (and we already saw a glimpse of what could've been a great offensive game) get thrown out the window too. I know this isn't crucial, but fans of all teams are going to raise an eyebrow seeing only the Chiefs ended up benefitting from this game.

 

With the AFC playoffs again going through Arrowhead, Chiefs getting a BYE by default & Mahomes getting an uncontested MVP, it'll make fans from all around cry foul. The NFL is in a very tough position, and I doubt those outside of Buffalo or Cincy will be very reasonable.

 

Throw an 8th team in the mix, 7 WC playoff games (would people complain about an extra MNF game?) and no AFC bye.  They still get home field, but they don't get the coveted bye week.