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According to the NFL, a decision to alter the AFC postseason and the possibility of a neutral-site conference championship game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was taken on Friday. The decision was made following the game's original suspension after the Bills' safety, Damar Hamlin, passed out on the pitch in Monday night's contest.
The NFL presented two changes to the AFC postseason after deciding on Thursday evening to cancel the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals matchup. Those changes were formally approved on Friday.
If any of the following three conditions are met, the AFC Championship will be held at a neutral location based on the first idea that was approved:
Scenario 1: If the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs win or tie this weekend, a Bills vs. Chiefs AFC championship contest would be at a neutral location.
Scenario 2: If the Bills and the Chiefs taste defeat in their respective games this week and the Ravens win or tie, a Bills vs. Chiefs AFC championship contest will be at a neutral location.
Scenario 3: If the Bills and the Chiefs taste defeat and the Bengals win, a Bills or Bengals vs. Chiefs AFC championship contest will take place at a neutral location.
According to the NFL, its choice could lead to "possible competitive inequities in some postseason scenarios." The NFL said that teams would review a decision proposed by the commissioner and adopted on Friday by the Competition Committee during a special association conference.
The implication of the Bills vs. Bengals cancelation on the 2022-23 NFL season
Although the Baltimore Ravens will end the season in second position in the AFC North regardless of the result on Sunday against Cincinnati, the NFL is still giving them a shot at being at home in a wild-card game. Irrespective of whether they come out victorious, the Ravens would still trail Cincinnati, which would mean the Bengals finish at 11-5 and one game ahead of the Ravens at 11-6.
Following discussions with the Bills, Bengals and the organization that represents players in the National Football League, Commissioner Roger Goodell, according to a statement released by the league on Thursday, informed all franchises of the resolution.
"This week has been incredibly challenging," according to Goodell. "We are pleased by the improvements in Damar Hamlin's condition and the overwhelming outpouring of support and concern for Damar and his family throughout the country. We will continue to focus on Damar's recovery."
