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The Buffalo Bills versus the Cincinnati Bengals Week 17 game on Monday night was suspended due to the injury of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. According to Pro Football Talk, the league has reportedly made its decision regarding the game. The game is expected to be declared a "no contest", meaning the game will not be completed. In the first quarter of the pivotal AFC matchup, Hamlin collapsed after getting up following a play.
Medical personnel immediately came onto the field to aid Hamlin, who had to be given CPR on the field at Paycor Stadium. Later, an ambulance came onto the field as Hamlin was on a stretcher. Players from both teams surrounded Hamlin as he was being attended to. The Buffalo safety would eventually be taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.
Hamlin was initially listed in critical condition but Buffalo came out with a statement regarding his condition.
If the game is called a "no contest," the playoff seeding will be decided based on the results of the slate of games in Week 18.
NFL Playoff Picture: How does Bills vs. Bengals no contest ruling affects playoff seeding
For starters, the Kansas City Chiefs will be in a prime position to obtain the number one seed in the AFC. They will have to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 to become the top seed. Buffalo could become the top seed by beating the New England Patriots in Week 18 should the Chiefs lose to the Raiders.
A Buffalo loss to the Patriots and a Cincinnati Bengals victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 would vault Cincinnati into the number two seed. Due to a tiebreaker of the strength of victory, the Cincinnati Bengals will earn a two-seed over the Buffalo Bills. This would pave the way for a game between Buffalo and Cincinnati in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The cancelation of the Week 17 game would also give the AFC North to the Bengals. If the Bengals had lost to Buffalo, the winner of Sunday’s Ravens-Bengals game would have won the AFC North. The Bengals could have gotten the number one seed by defeating the Buffalo Bills in Week 17 and winning in Week 18 if the Chiefs lose to the Raiders.
