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

[Selanne00008]

Also. I know this is an unprecedented situation. But you know what else was? Covid. And the nfl got every single god damn game in, unlike the other big pro sports, and they did it pretty well to be honest. The nfl is creative. They can fit one game in. They juggled dozens in the past with teams ravaged by a virus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Onions]

Dale Earnhardt died on the race track in 2001. He was the biggest name in the sport and he died during the biggest race of the season. They raced the following week.

It was right for the NFL to suspend this game. Their first mistake made, however, is not playing this game tomorrow. Buffalo can decide what they want to do going forward, but not playing doesn't seem like a reasonable option. How can they play the Patriots this week? How can they be expected to play in the playoffs? What is the end game here, do they not play until if/when Damar is well enough to tell them to go play? What if, God forbid, he doesn't pull through? Shut the season down? Maybe shut the league down going forward?

I sure as hell hope Damar can make a full recovery and live a full life even if he has played his last down of football, and I will be pulling for the Bills if/when they get back on the field. Would love to see them get a SB win and present the ring to him when they kick off the next season this fall.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Onions

Dale Earnhardt died on the race track in 2001. He was the biggest name in the sport and he died during the biggest race of the season. They raced the following week.

It was right for the NFL to suspend this game. Their first mistake made, however, is not playing this game tomorrow. Buffalo can decide what they want to do going forward, but not playing doesn't seem like a reasonable option. How can they play the Patriots this week? How can they be expected to play in the playoffs? What is the end game here, do they not play until if/when Damar is well enough to tell them to go play? What if, God forbid, he doesn't pull through? Shut the season down? Maybe shut the league down going forward?

I sure as hell hope Damar can make a full recovery and live a full life even if he has played his last down of football, and I will be pulling for the Bills if/when they get back on the field. Would love to see them get a SB win and present the ring to him when they kick off the next season this fall.

Easy. Bills have a game to play Saturday. If they dont play, they lose.


And its not the end of the world. They’ll still have a playoff game the next week. This isnt them skipping the Super Bowl.

[Onions]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Easy. Bills have a game to play Saturday. If they dont play, they lose.


And its not the end of the world. They’ll still have a playoff game the next week. This isnt them skipping the Super Bowl.

I agree. They forfeit Monday's game and this weekends game if they choose, then hopefully can find the motivation to play in the playoffs. If they choose not to play this weekend, I don't see how they can play a make up game against the Bengals.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Onions

I agree. They forfeit Monday's game and this weekends game if they choose, then hopefully can find the motivation to play in the playoffs. If they choose not to play this weekend, I don't see how they can play a make up game against the Bengals.

And if that’s their choice, I don’t blame them.

Heck, I can think of some competitive advantage to that compared to having to play 2 games in a shortened period of time, when losing one means you still have to play round 1 on less rest than your opponent.

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by blockedbyjames

We all know the Bills and Bengals are winning their first round playoff games. So essentially your scenario requires the league to orchestrate short rest for 2 teams to play each other, rest 4 days, play playoff game, rest another 5 days, then play each other again in the playoff game.

If any team had to go through that it would be awful. To make the Bills specifically go through that--impossible.

what's the alternative without shafting Baltimore, Miami, and Pittsburgh?

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by oplum29

what's the alternative without shafting Baltimore, Miami, and Pittsburgh?

I can speak as a Pittsburgh fan, if this “shafts” us so be it. We shafted ourselves not beating the Jets, Ravens, Dolphins and/or Pats when we had a chance.

People need a bit of perspective in this situation. It is no one’s fault. There may be no real workable solution and some team may end up getting shafted after 16 games.

Bad calls and bad breaks happen. 16 games is long enough to try and avoid it being the thing that “ruins” your season. On to next year.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Selanne00008

That’s fair, but, what do you suggest then? That’s what we are all trying to collectively figure out here..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Easy.


1) The NFL should have scheduled the game to resume today or tomorrow in Cinncy.

2) If Buffalo refuses to play, award Cinncy with the win.

3) Push the Buffalo/NE to Monday night. (Though I'm not a fan of having to make NE play a day later given they may have to play the following Sat/Sun)

[captionwanker]

Originally Posted by oplum29

what's the alternative without shafting Baltimore, Miami, and Pittsburgh?

Shaft the Chiefs, Bengals, Jaguars, Titans, Patriots, and the Chargers. Lets just skip the AFC playoffs and give the Bills the conference championship. It's what the virtual signalers want and we don't have to cry about the referee shenanigans thats bound to happen.

[Gthompson1978]

Right now on ESPN, the only game that doesn’t have a time is Cincinnati and Baltimore, still shows TBD

[SupermanBrandon]

If the Bills playing Thursday (tomorrow) was completely out of the question…how in the world can they play either this Sunday or Monday?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NeedChapmans]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

If the Bills playing Thursday (tomorrow) was completely out of the question…how in the world can they play either this Sunday or Monday?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, this was my question from the start; what is accomplished in that three-four day window. Is that time truly valuable and will it sharpen the psyche of this team going into Sunday.

IDK. The updates about Hamlin so far have not been positive and very little has changed. Is this team really going to practice today / get ready for their Sunday 1pm game?

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by captionwanker

Shaft the Chiefs, Bengals, Jaguars, Titans, Patriots, and the Chargers. Lets just skip the AFC playoffs and give the Bills the conference championship. It's what the virtual signalers want and we don't have to cry about the referee shenanigans thats bound to happen.

Who the hell do you spend your time listening to?

Find a better crowd.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Look this has happened before in other sports - I remember watching Chris Pronger collapse on the ice and needing CPR. They played again ASAP and Pronger even suited up and played the most. Now I know that Hamlin's situation may be more serious perhaps but you have to play games again as soon as possible. If individual players don't want to play then fine they don't have to with no judgment or penalty but the games must go on. You can't wallow in despair and acrimony. There is a reason that the saying "Get back on the horse" exists. Otherwise WTF are you doing? This is a combat sport. Injuries happen. Damage happens. Be as safe as possible as it's a game but football is football. Get back to it.

[erock28]

With as much time that has now passed, I'm guessing the NFL is going to ride through W18 and see how the AFC standings shake out. If all three tops seeds win - and the Cincy/Buffalo game is not rescheduled - 1 = KC, 2 = Buff, 3 = Cincy. Rather than mess with the playoff schedule, or even worse try to squeeze in a Cincy/Buffalo replay on short rest, why not just put the potential 2/3 match on a neutral field? If the AFC goes chalk in the WC round, you have Jax/TN at the Chiefs, Buffalo/Cincy at an agreed upon neutral site.

Now if either KC or Buffalo loses and Cincy wins...it will get messy and the NFL will have to figure out how to equitably treat the situation. But again, that's why I think they're going to ride through W18 and see what happens.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by erock28

With as much time that has now passed, I'm guessing the NFL is going to ride through W18 and see how the AFC standings shake out. If all three tops seeds win - and the Cincy/Buffalo game is not rescheduled - 1 = KC, 2 = Buff, 3 = Cincy. Rather than mess with the playoff schedule, or even worse try to squeeze in a Cincy/Buffalo replay on short rest, why not just put the potential 2/3 match on a neutral field? If the AFC goes chalk in the WC round, you have Jax/TN at the Chiefs, Buffalo/Cincy at an agreed upon neutral site.

Now if either KC or Buffalo loses and Cincy wins...it will get messy and the NFL will have to figure out how to equitably treat the situation. But again, that's why I think they're going to ride through W18 and see what happens.

The problem with this scenario is you'd be punishing the Bengals. If they would have beat Buffalo, they'd have the head-to-head tiebreaker if they both won their week 18 games and should get the #2 seed. Also, what if they are ready to play? Why should they take a tie and have to play a playoff game on a neutral field when they actually should be playing at home?

*Side note: Other than the Super Bowl, there's a 0% chance the NFL is going to play a neutral site playoff game.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by erock28

With as much time that has now passed, I'm guessing the NFL is going to ride through W18 and see how the AFC standings shake out. If all three tops seeds win - and the Cincy/Buffalo game is not rescheduled - 1 = KC, 2 = Buff, 3 = Cincy. Rather than mess with the playoff schedule, or even worse try to squeeze in a Cincy/Buffalo replay on short rest, why not just put the potential 2/3 match on a neutral field? If the AFC goes chalk in the WC round, you have Jax/TN at the Chiefs, Buffalo/Cincy at an agreed upon neutral site.

Now if either KC or Buffalo loses and Cincy wins...it will get messy and the NFL will have to figure out how to equitably treat the situation. But again, that's why I think they're going to ride through W18 and see what happens.

IMO, waiting until Week 18 is finished is terribly uncompetitive. At that point you are picking winners and losers.

Make the decision by Friday. That way every team knows what's at stake during their game. Imagine if Baltimore beat Cinci, but still has no idea if it has a shot at the division title or not. If KC beats Vegas and it has no idea if it has the 1 seed or not. Pitts, Miami, etc, not knowing if they have a shot at the playoffs or not.

This whole situation sucks, so let's not make it worse by punishing an extra 5 teams because the league office can't make up it's mind.

[NeedChapmans]

Originally Posted by tjforce

IMO, waiting until Week 18 is finished is terribly uncompetitive. At that point you are picking winners and losers.

Make the decision by Friday. That way every team knows what's at stake during their game. Imagine if Baltimore beat Cinci, but still has no idea if it has a shot at the division title or not. If KC beats Vegas and it has no idea if it has the 1 seed or not. Pitts, Miami, etc, not knowing if they have a shot at the playoffs or not.

This whole situation sucks, so let's not make it worse by punishing an extra 5 teams because the league office can't make up it's mind.

You have to make this decision before the games Saturday. And if that decision is to cancel the game; then watch as both Cincy and Buffalo play no-one (because they're locked into their seeds) and let NE skate into the post-season.

Baltimore / Buffalo / Cincy / Pittsburgh / Miami ... sorry. I'm sure the owners won't mind the loss of tens of millions. They can afford it.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

The problem with this scenario is you'd be punishing the Bengals. If they would have beat Buffalo, they'd have the head-to-head tiebreaker if they both won their week 18 games and should get the #2 seed. Also, what if they are ready to play? Why should they take a tie and have to play a playoff game on a neutral field when they actually should be playing at home?

*Side note: Other than the Super Bowl, there's a 0% chance the NFL is going to play a neutral site playoff game.

Yes, it is a potential punishment to the Bengals. But even worse would be making the two teams play on short rest. Unless the NFL decides to bump back the playoffs one week and get rid of the two week gap between conference championships and the Bowl as some have suggested, the rematch will be on short rest. If I'm the Bengals brass, it would be worse to play the Bills say next Thursday then home the following Monday should my team win than it would be to have a full week to prep for the first round opponent and then play at a neutral site the following week versus the Bills.

Also, I don't see the NFL abandoning the two week SB gap. There is so much hype...so much buildup...and so much, ahem, money at stake for the league and the hosting city.

[epatmythes]

The game must be played/finished. PERIOD. The NFL Rules dictate no less, and in the NFL Shield-protecting world they live in, they follow the rules to the letter. Clearly, they are trying to be mindful of the situation, as it stands right now, so they aren't rushing to a conclusion... but the game will be played/finished. Simple as that.

RULE 17: EMERGENCIES, UNFAIR ACTS
SECTION 1
ARTICLE 4. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. The NFL affirms the position that in most circumstances all regular-season and postseason games should be played to their conclusion. If, in the opinion of appropriate League authorities, it is impossible to begin or continue a game due to an emergency, or a game is deemed to be imminently threatened by any such emergency (e.g., severely inclement weather, lightning, flooding, power failure), the following procedures (Articles 5 through 11) will serve as guidelines for the Commissioner and/or the duly appointed representatives. The Commissioner has the authority to review the circumstances of each emergency and to adjust the following procedures in whatever manner the Commissioner deems appropriate. If, in the Commissioner’s opinion, it is reasonable to project that the resumption of an interrupted game would not change its ultimate result or adversely affect any other inter-team competitive issue, the Commissioner is empowered to terminate the game.
ARTICLE 5. LEAGUE AUTHORITY. <Not Applicable>
ARTICLE 6. LATER DATE. <Not Applicable>
ARTICLE 7. PRE-GAME THREAT. <Not Applicable>
ARTICLE 8. INTERRUPTED GAME. If, under emergency circumstances, an interrupted regular-season or post-season game cannot be completed on the same day, such game will be rescheduled by the Commissioner and resumed at that point.
ARTICLE 9. ALTERNATE DATES, SITES. In instances under these emergency procedures which require the Commissioner to reschedule a regular-season game, the Commissioner will make every effort to set the game for no later than two days after its originally scheduled date, and will attempt to schedule the game at its original site. If unable to do so, the Commissioner will schedule it at the nearest available facility. If it is impossible to schedule the game within two days after its original date, the Commissioner will be guided by the Emergencies and Unfair Acts provisions in the Policy Manual for Member Clubs: Game Operations.
ARTICLE 10. POSTSEASON INTERRUPTION. <Not Applicable>
ARTICLE 11. GAME RESUMPTION. In all instances where a game is resumed after interruption, either on the same date or a subsequent date, the resumption will begin at the point at which the game was interrupted. At the time of interruption, the Referee will call timeout and will make a record of the following: the team possessing the ball, direction in which its offense was headed, position of the ball on the field, down, distance, period, time remaining in the period, and any other pertinent information required for an efficient and equitable resumption of play.

Or, there is one out in the Rule Book that could come into play. They schedule it, and Buffalo refuses to play... they forfeit. Honestly, my gut tells me this would be the outcome if pressed today, and thus why nothing has been decided yet. Given the recency of the traumatic event, that same Shield-protecting philosophy doesn't want to come off, right now, as too heavy handed... but again, those are the rules!

RULE 11: SCORING
SECTION 1
ARTICLE 1. WINNING TEAM. The team that scores the greater number of points during the entire game is the winner.
Note: If a team forfeits a game, the opponent will be declared the winner by a score of 2-0, but the points will not be added to the winning team’s record for purposes of offensive production or tie-breakers.

[Fenway55]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

*Side note: Other than the Super Bowl, there's a 0% chance the NFL is going to play a neutral site playoff game.

Agreed. There is no reason to screw over the loyal fans and STHers of teams who have a right to watch their team play a playoff game at home.

[Fenway55]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

The game must be played/finished. PERIOD. The NFL Rules dictate no less, and in the NFL Shield-protecting world they live in, they follow the rules to the letter.

The rules you quoted make it clear that those are guidelines and not rules and that the Commissioner can do whatever he wants. He has the ultimate authority and makes the ultimate decision.

[Gthompson1978]

Originally Posted by Fenway55

The rules you quoted make it clear that those are guidelines and not rules and that the Commissioner can do whatever he wants. He has the ultimate authority and makes the ultimate decision.

Rule 17?

[Brwdot]

Originally Posted by Onions

I agree. They forfeit Monday's game and this weekends game if they choose, then hopefully can find the motivation to play in the playoffs. If they choose not to play this weekend, I don't see how they can play a make up game against the Bengals.

How did the Bills forfeit? I thought it was Zac Taylor and the Bengals with the walkover. Either the Bengals forfeited or they both forfeited.

[Gthompson1978]

Originally Posted by Brwdot

How did the Bills forfeit? I thought it was Zac Taylor and the Bengals with the walkover. Either the Bengals forfeited or they both forfeited.

Why would the Bengals forfeit? That would make no sense to forfeit with the lead. It was a walkover to try to figure things out because the league was going to make them play. It was clear neither team had the desire to play Monday after what occurred.

And no one has forfeited anything yet.