A statement released this afternoon by the NFL shows that the league is giving serious consideration to not resuming or re-starting the Bills-Bengals week 17 game.
While it earlier seemed more a matter of *how* and *when* to resume the game, today’s release focuses more on *if* to resume the game.
The statement on NFL.com says, “the league has not made a decision on the status of the game but plans to in the coming days, adding that both the Bengals and Bills would be consulted.”
It goes on to discuss the potential ramifications of not playing the game, including:
- Bengals could clinch AFC North, but would not have a path to the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage (Ravens cannot clinch division even if they beat Bengals in Week 18 because an 11-5 Cincinnati team would best an 11-6 Baltimore).
- Chiefs can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win Saturday (Chiefs would be the only team capable of reaching 14 wins).
- Chiefs would also clinch the No. 1 seed if the Bills lose vs. the Patriots in Week 18.
- Bills can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win vs. the Patriots + a Chiefs loss at the Raiders in Week 18.
- Bengals can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win vs. the Ravens + a Bills loss vs. the Patriots in Week 18 (would go to strength of victory tiebreaker).
Monday night’s game between the Bills and Bengals was halted in the first quarter after Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field and had to be resuscitated by emergency personnel.
The Bills’ next scheduled game is Sunday at 1 p.m. at home against the New England Patriots.
