As you’ve probably heard, in the middle of the first quarter of the Bills Vs. Bengals Bills’ Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and went into Cardiac Arrest and is in critical condition. The game was then postponed til a different day out of refusal by the coaches and players to play. The NFL has just announced that this game will not be played at all this week, so should this game even be played at all?
The Trauma Bills And Bengals Players Experienced
The biggest thing you have to take into account when deciding whether to have them play or just void the game is the trauma all the players experience watching their fellow teammate/ player go down to something like that. As fans, we were all traumatized watching that horrific scene unfold and it was clear how saddened and loving we became based on reactions on social media, now just imagine how it made the players feel. Being on the field when it happened and being so much closer to Hamlin as a person would really do something to your mental health and it would be extremely hard for these players to want to play this game.
The Significance Of The Bills Vs. Bengals Game
While both of these teams have already clinched a playoff spot, this game was extremely significant when it comes to seeding. The Bills have been in a season-long race against the Chiefs for the number-one seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. While the Bengals were fighting to keep the AFC North title and stay ahead of the Baltimore Ravens. If the Bills won this game it would’ve come down to the last week of the season to decide who would be the number one seed, and if the Bengals won they would’ve clinched the AFC North and the three seed in the AFC.
If the game is voided then the Chiefs will have the one seed clinched without needing next week and the Bengals will have clinched the AFC North since they will have fewer losses than the Ravens. This is not how the NFL should work because the league knows you need to work hard for your wins and playoff seedings, but in this case, it may be necessary. The Bills would likely be upset they have no shot at winning the AFC but they know the magnitude of this issue and how it has affected all their players, coaches, and fans and know they and their players need to put Damar Hamlin’s life as their first priority.
Should The Bills Vs. Bengals Game Be Played?
The league and fans obviously need to put the life of Damar Hamlin first at this point and need to focus on the players on the Bills and Bengals getting back right mentally, knowing what will happen to their brother Damar Hamlin. It’s an extremely important game for seeding and the NFL will want to make money off of it, until we know how Hamlin is doing it doesn’t feel right to play it. The League has already announced it won’t be played this week and all Week 18 games will be played prior to it, but it won’t be a surprise if the NFL decides to milk the situation so they can have them play the game and they can make a lot of money off of it.
Ultimately though it will be up to the players and coaches as they can refuse to play if they don’t think it’s right to play and just aren’t in the mental state to play that game. So as much as this game has a ton of significance, it doesn’t feel anywhere near right to play it at the moment. As always Prayers up to Damar Hamlin and his family, hoping or the best outcome.
