What should the NFL do about Week 18? Move it back one week?

[oplum29]

first of all, prayers up to Hamlin, his family, the Bills, Bengals, the game of football that we all love, and anybody and everybody impacted by tonight.

in light of this tragedy and with all hopes and prayers that Hamlin is alright, at some point, the business of the NFL is going to carry on.

i'm not being ugly or mean or disrespectful, i'm simply asking a question.

the NFL made the right call in cancelling or postponing the game tonight, i don't know why they took so long, but that's fine, in the end, the did the right thing.

the league has dealt with tragedy before, although nothing like this before, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. i believe they played a few days after Kennedy was assassinated for example. the NFL didn't cancel or push back Washington's game after the death of Sean Taylor. they did push back the season one week after 9/11.

tonight's tragedy is horrible, and there's no way the Bills or Bengals or perhaps even the league should even entertain the thought of playing a football game....BUT....at some point, they are going to play.

should the NFL move Week 18 back one week?

[FBallHobbies]

Originally Posted by oplum29

first of all, prayers up to Hamlin, his family, the Bills, Bengals, the game of football that we all love, and anybody and everybody impacted by tonight.

in light of this tragedy and with all hopes and prayers that Hamlin is alright, at some point, the business of the NFL is going to carry on.

i'm not being ugly or mean or disrespectful, i'm simply asking a question.

the NFL made the right call in cancelling or postponing the game tonight, i don't know why they took so long, but that's fine, in the end, the did the right thing.

the league has dealt with tragedy before, although nothing like this before, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. i believe they played a few days after Kennedy was assassinated for example. the NFL didn't cancel or push back Washington's game after the death of Sean Taylor. they did push back the season one week after 9/11.

tonight's tragedy is horrible, and there's no way the Bills or Bengals or perhaps even the league should even entertain the thought of playing a football game....BUT....at some point, they are going to play.

should the NFL move Week 18 back one week?

The players and coaches made that decision

Initially, the NFL gave teams 5 minutes to warm and wanted them to come back out. I'm glad the players/coaches stood their ground and forced the NFL's hand

But to answer your question, my guess would be push everything back a week and have Buffao/Cincy play this Sunday. There would not be a gap in-between Conference Championship Games and the SB

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by oplum29

first of all, prayers up to Hamlin, his family, the Bills, Bengals, the game of football that we all love, and anybody and everybody impacted by tonight.

in light of this tragedy and with all hopes and prayers that Hamlin is alright, at some point, the business of the NFL is going to carry on.

i'm not being ugly or mean or disrespectful, i'm simply asking a question.

the NFL made the right call in cancelling or postponing the game tonight, i don't know why they took so long, but that's fine, in the end, the did the right thing.

the league has dealt with tragedy before, although nothing like this before, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. i believe they played a few days after Kennedy was assassinated for example. the NFL didn't cancel or push back Washington's game after the death of Sean Taylor. they did push back the season one week after 9/11.

tonight's tragedy is horrible, and there's no way the Bills or Bengals or perhaps even the league should even entertain the thought of playing a football game....BUT....at some point, they are going to play.

should the NFL move Week 18 back one week?

Moving logistics of everything would be super tight right now.

The NFL made the right decision in cancelling last night. I’m not sure what options they have right now, considering the playoff implications of these two teams. It’s a meaningful game, at least in terms of the NFL and it’s business.

I wonder if part of the discussion with the teams is, are you alright with seeding with unequal games? Both teams are in the playoffs and maybe, ultimately the decision is less disruptive to just seed based based on results of week 18 and move on to the playoffs. Ultimately the two teams “hurt” by this would be the Bengals and Bills, so if they are fine with it, then you just move forward.

[Boo]

They could push all the playoffs back one week, except for the Super Bowl (so no bye week between the Conference Championship games and the SB). Then play this weekend like normal and have next weekend be just the Bills/Bengals game.

[Derekbauer]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Moving logistics of everything would be super tight right now.

The NFL made the right decision in cancelling last night. I’m not sure what options they have right now, considering the playoff implications of these two teams. It’s a meaningful game, at least in terms of the NFL and it’s business.

I wonder if part of the discussion with the teams is, are you alright with seeding with unequal games? Both teams are in the playoffs and maybe, ultimately the decision is less disruptive to just seed based based on results of week 18 and move on to the playoffs. Ultimately the two teams “hurt” by this would be the Bengals and Bills, so if they are fine with it, then you just move forward.

It’s a logistics nightmare. If you move week 18 back you’re forcing thousands of fans who have tickets/hotels/etc to essentially change their plans/flights/whatever.

The flip side is people will roast them (NFL) for not putting the players first.

Unfortunately it may only end up hurting Cincy/Buffalo as far as football is concerned. But I’m not sure how much that even matters to the Bills players right now.

[shrevecity]

You have to consider what events the stadiums have going on in the pushed back weeks the people attending them could also be affected. It would be easier if this game did not have big playoff implications.

[2dueces]

Suddenly football doesn’t seem so important.
But if we must. During Covid some games were played on a Wednesday. If, and only if Hamlin is showing positive signs the game could be played Wednesday and Buffalos and Cincinnatis week 18 games could be played Monday night.

[captionwanker]

Have them play on Wednesday. If the Bills decline, Bengals take the W. Reschedule the Ravens Vs Bengals and Bills Vs Patriots to Monday. They can play it in the afternoon, not to interfere with College National Championship.

[2010GBPackers]

This is going to be SO tricky for the NFL. As was mentioned above, this game needs to be played this week, probably on Wed or Thurs, then move their Sunday games to Monday night. It's the only way. As bad as Hamlin's situation is, there is precedent to continue playing games in the face of tragedy. Now, if they approach both teams and the Bills decline to play the game, that's their choice. I just don't see them willingly giving up the #1 seed. We shall see.

[captionwanker]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

You have to consider what events the stadiums have going on in the pushed back weeks the people attending them could also be affected. It would be easier if this game did not have big playoff implications.

I believe every NFL stadium is not allowed to book events during the NFL playoff weekends.

[TheFrenzy]

Call it a tie and move on.

(I’m not super committed to that answer, but it seems the simplest under the circumstances.)

[SleeperCards]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Call it a tie and move on.

(I’m not super committed to that answer, but it seems the simplest under the circumstances.)

The only way I could get on board with that is if Buffalo refused to play and Cinci wanted to be supportive and call for a tie instead of a forfeit. Otherwise, play the damn game. It's unfortunate, but you can't be shifting the entire league around to accommodate one tragedy.

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by SleeperCards

The only way I could get on board with that is if Buffalo refused to play and Cinci wanted to be supportive and call for a tie instead of a forfeit. Otherwise, play the damn game. It's unfortunate, but you can't be shifting the entire league around to accommodate one tragedy.

Oh, I was thinking more along the lines of logistics + increased injury risks from playing a make up game and Week 18 in quick succession.

[SleeperCards]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Oh, I was thinking more along the lines of logistics + increased injury risks from playing a make up game and Week 18 in quick succession.

What's the shortest duration between games this season? Wednesday to Monday is not ideal, but it seems doable.

[captionwanker]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Call it a tie and move on.

(I’m not super committed to that answer, but it seems the simplest under the circumstances.)

Everyone on the internet keeps saying this. But life isn't fair and the business is cutthroat.

why would the Bengals agree to a tie? That keeps them in 3rd seed, which means a game with the Ravens or the Chargers and two road playoff games. The window to win a Super Bowl is so small and you need every favorable bounce you can get.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

This is going to be SO tricky for the NFL. As was mentioned above, this game needs to be played this week, probably on Wed or Thurs, then move their Sunday games to Monday night. It's the only way. As bad as Hamlin's situation is, there is precedent to continue playing games in the face of tragedy. Now, if they approach both teams and the Bills decline to play the game, that's their choice. I just don't see them willingly giving up the #1 seed. We shall see.

This is the way.

If the Bengals and Bills both agree to voiding their game, then that’s fine as well. The Bills just have to be willing to give up the 1 seed if the Chiefs win next week. Doubt they want to do that. Anything that adversely affects the rest of the league is unacceptable.

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by SleeperCards

What's the shortest duration between games this season? Wednesday to Monday is not ideal, but it seems doable.

I’m just glad I’m not calling this shot.

[sethc1020]

I think it all depends on what happens to Damars prognosis and if it was actually caused by something related to football. Heart stoppages I don't think are usually caused by brain injuries or spine injuries but Im nowhere close to being a doctor. I agree that if positive news comes out today Wednesday is the best case scenario for the game to being played. If not I think they just leave it as is and Cincy gets the W.

Edit: Im totally wrong and Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBIs can absolutely lead to sudden cardiac arrest but it is extremely rare.

[graffiX]

Originally Posted by SleeperCards

The only way I could get on board with that is if Buffalo refused to play and Cinci wanted to be supportive and call for a tie instead of a forfeit. Otherwise, play the damn game. It's unfortunate, but you can't be shifting the entire league around to accommodate one tragedy.

This sounds like the best route. Bills take the forfeit or (if it's even possible) the Bengals can "agree" to a tie. But not even sure if teams can mutually agree on something like that.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by captionwanker

Everyone on the internet keeps saying this. But life isn't fair and the business is cutthroat.

why would the Bengals agree to a tie? That keeps them in 3rd seed, which means a game with the Ravens or the Chargers and two road playoff games. The window to win a Super Bowl is so small and you need every favorable bounce you can get.

They won't make it a tie, that is dumb. The Bengals looked like the better team in the short time that they played. There is a big difference between playing in the playoffs as the 1 and 3 seeds. There are 3 choices...

1. Buffalo says they are done for the year and gets the loss. (Won't happen)
2. Play Wed/Mon. They could push the playoff game that either team might be in the following week to Monday as well.
3. Play Buf/Cin on 1/16 and move the playoffs back (except for the SB).

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by Boo

They won't make it a tie, that is dumb. The Bengals looked like the better team in the short time that they played. There is a big difference between playing in the playoffs as the 1 and 3 seeds. There are 3 choices...

1. Buffalo says they are done for the year and gets the loss. (Won't happen)
2. Play Wed/Mon. They could push the playoff game that either team might be in the following week to Monday as well.
3. Play Buf/Cin on 1/16 and move the playoffs back (except for the SB).

The Bills aren’t quitting the season.

Once the players know Hamlin’s condition—for better or for worse—it’s likely that they’ll dedicate their playoff run to him in that “win one for the Gipper” kind of way.

[Gthompson1978]

Going to be a busy day on Park Avenue today

[graffiX]

Word is Goodell is going to say it has to be played within 2 days.

https://twitter.com/2melissaholmes/s...JBTzfUA7fj6e-A

[NeedChapmans]

Originally Posted by graffiX

Word is Goodell is going to say it has to be played within 2 days.

https://twitter.com/2melissaholmes/s...JBTzfUA7fj6e-A

This is the most likely scenario and I would hope they push the two teams Sunday games to Monday. Game picks up exactly where it was left off, 53-man rosters included.

[Selanne00008]

Originally Posted by Boo

They won't make it a tie, that is dumb. The Bengals looked like the better team in the short time that they played. There is a big difference between playing in the playoffs as the 1 and 3 seeds. There are 3 choices...

1. Buffalo says they are done for the year and gets the loss. (Won't happen)
2. Play Wed/Mon. They could push the playoff game that either team might be in the following week to Monday as well.
3. Play Buf/Cin on 1/16 and move the playoffs back (except for the SB).

This sounds about right.
#1 won’t happen as mentioned. And also - any bengal fan saying take the forfeit and run, I think the bengal organization would be classy and end up agreeing to percentage points or a tie, but I also see that entire scenario not happening either.

It’s #2 or #3.

I’d prefer they move the playoffs back and bills bengals get an e tire Sunday to themselves. Rushing it doesn’t seem appropriate either especially in the current state with DHam status unclear..


One other comment here. You see JJ Watt retiring, he has a new born now and also had a heart issue (attack?) earlier this year. A player like Tre White, while he was rehabbing his knee kept saying he now realized there’s so much more To life than football. I wonder if this effects current players and the sacrifice they’re making and if it’s worth it..


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