The NFL could use winning percentage to determine AFC playoff seeding, or move the start of the playoffs back one week, following the postponement of the Buffalo Bills–Cincinnati Bengals game on Monday due to the medical emergency involving Bills safety Damar Hamlin. The Bills-Bengals decision could be made in the coming days, the NFL said.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the NFL has not considered postponing the Buffalo Bills–New England Patriots game scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in NFL Week 18. NFL executive Jeff Miller said the Bills-Bengals decision on completing the game or not will be made soon.
“There’s a lot of considerations in place there and a lot of people that we want to consult with, including the clubs involved, before that decision is final,” Miller said.
The Bills were scheduled to have a walkthrough Wednesday and return to full practice Thursday.
Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest in the first quarter Monday. His recovery is moving in a positive direction, his marketing representative said Wednesday, according to the AP.
The report said the NFL could not resume the Bills-Bengals game and seed the AFC playoff field by winning percentage. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) could then clinch the No. 1 seed, and a bye, with a win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. The Bills (12-3) and Bengals (11-4) would then earn the No. 2 or No. 3 seed based on results from this week. Cincinnati plays the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) with the AFC North championship undecided.
“We know whatever scenario we have to go play to try to win the football game,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “That’s what we have to do. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Other options could have the Bills-Bengals game completed next week, with the start of the entire playoffs then delayed until the following week, which would eliminate the bye week between the conference championship games of Jan. 29 and the 2023 Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 12.
Completing the Bills-Bengals game, and also playing the NFC Wild Card games, next week is another option, according to the report. The AFC Wild Card games could then be played the following week, with the NFC not playing, which also would eliminate the pre-Super Bowl bye week.
“Frankly, my concern is to make sure the men have what they need to function, and that’s getting through this day. Tomorrow is going to take care of itself,” NFL executive Troy Vincent said. “So, from my communications with the club and those players, it’s just strictly been around making sure they’re OK to check in, and being able to access those resources that are available to them.”
