NFL owners approve changes to AFC play-off structure after Cincinnati Bengals-Buffalo Bills game has been cancelled.
The match between the Bengals and the Bills has been suspended after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field at Ohio.
Hamlin, 24 years old stay in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest in Monday’s penultimate regular season game.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the agreed plan was designed to “mitigate certain effects on competition”.
The NFL had been concerned about “potential competitive inequities” in the play-offs because a team’s record determines who has home court advantage.
The Bills and Bengals will have their postseason positions determined by their winning percentage in their 16 completed games — instead of the full 17 — after the final round of games this weekend.
The proposals, approved by NFL owners on Friday, could mean the Cincinnati Bengals have the site of their wildcard playoff decided by a coin toss.
This situation would occur if the Baltimore Ravens beat Cincinnati, and the two teams would face off in a wildcard game next weekend.
“When we reviewed the football schedule, our principles have been to limit league disruption and minimize competitive inequities,” NFL Commissioner Goodell said.
“I recognize that there is no perfect solution. The proposal we are asking the owner to consider, however, addresses the most significant potential fair issues created by the difficult, but necessary, decision not to play at the game in these extraordinary circumstances.”
The Bengals won the AFC North because of their superior winning percentage – regardless of Sunday’s result against the Ravens.
But they argue the league ignored existing rules that state the win-loss record determines the position of the play-offs if voided.
“There are several instances this season where the club is fined or people in our building are fined and we are told to follow the rules,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.
“We point out the rules and you’re told, ‘We’re going to change that’. I don’t want to hear about fair and just when that’s the case.”
The AFC Championship Game could be played at a neutral site if the home team would normally have been settled by the result of the canceled game between the Bengals and Bills.
This situation could occur if:
- Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) win or draw in Week 18 and both teams advance to the title game
- Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both lose, and Cincinnati (11-4) also loses or draws in Week 18, and Buffalo and Kansas City advance to the game for the title
- Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both lose, and Cincinnati (11-4) wins, title game is either Bills-Chiefs or Bengals-Chiefs
“It’s been a really tough week,” Goodell said.
“We continue to be focused on Damar Hamlin’s recovery and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family across the country.
“We are also extremely grateful for the incredible work of the medical staff and congratulate each of them.”
Hamlin tributes planned in Week 18 matches
Tributes are scheduled for Hamlin on the final weekend of the NFL regular season.
The Bills’ safety, who had to have his heartbeat restored on the field, had his breathing tube removed and is now able to speak.
All clubs will be permitted to depict Hamlin’s “3” jersey number on each 30-yard line of the field in red or Buffalo Bills blue.
During warm-ups, players will also have the option of wearing black T-shirts displaying the words “Love for Damar 3”.
The Bills will wear number 3 crests on their jerseys when they host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“That says a lot about our league. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said of the planned displays of support.
Beane added: “We go into battle, but in the end, life is the number one battle. To see this unit is unheard of, but I think it sheds a great light on the NFL. The NFL is truly a family.”
Donations to a toy collection launched in 2020 by Hamlin soared after collapsing on the pitch during Monday’s game.
