Kolek planning to go pro
They have to declare this a no contest or a tie. The Bills aren’t likely to be ready mentally to play next Sunday, though they will have to barring this doesn’t take a more tragic turn. Trying to manipulate the schedule at this point doesn’t make any sense.
It seems virtually impossible for multiple reasons for this game to ever be concluded. Even removing the mental/emotional considerations (which are #1 here), there’s zero dates/time to make a conclusion work logistically. You’re absolutely right, I don’t know how the Bills focus on prep for their game with the Patriots in five days, let alone find time to go back to Cincinnati. Unless I’m missing a small vocal minority, it seems near unanimous to just call it a tie.
If you call a tie, it gives the division to the Bengals. I'm guessing they call it no contest and next week is for the AFC North.They'll have to figure out tiebreakers for the one seed, but that's far and away better than trying to force this game
I think part of the problem is that the field was not designed to be played on in 20 degree temperatures. Honestly, how often does that happen in Carolina? So, a weather scenario that had not been planned for happened and the field was a nightmare. Pretty straightforward.
We get 30 and under fairly often. And players were complaining about this turf well before that game. That game just really put the exclamation point on it.If all the owner cares about is money, fine. Be honest, and don't say you actually prioritize the health of your players.
I'm also old enough to remember when owners were cheap for not installing field turf, and were putting players at risk by holding games on grass fields that were ripped up from torrential rains or high school championships. The backlash against field turf has been pretty sudden, and it may be correct, but blaming this solely on money is a "when you're a hammer everything looks like a nail" reaction.
Soldier Field has been bad, whether artificial or natural. Plenty of other grass fields have been very good, from Lambeau up north to most of the warm-weather sites.In Charlotte, we have advantages of moderate climate, no drought conditions, etc. There was never a problem maintaining the grass field for decades. Adding a couple dozen soccer games and a few other events a year shouldn't change that (as long as monster trucks and the like aren't among them); it would just make it somewhat more expensive. Tepper obviously has the money to do it. The players -- guys who have played on both the grass before this season and now the artificial stuff -- are begging for the return to grass. They are saying that injuries are worse and recovery time is longer. McCaffrey, who was never a "rock the boat" guy, also said it before he was traded. Value your players; go back to grass.
Justin Jefferson on line 1 for you.
The solution, if they really want one, is to move the start of the playoffs back a week, play this game on Jan. 15 and eliminate the Sunday off before the Super Bowl, i.e. the Pro Bowl week.Edit: I see you later suggested this.
Do we know if all of the venues would be available?
I've read they actually really need two weeks to prep everything for the Superbowl.
Panthers owner has already spoken to Harbaugh about the team's coaching vacancy, Charlotte Observer reports.
Him and the Denver Broncos owner.
In the city/at the field? Because Glendale will not be hosting a conference championship game this year, so they'll be able to start preparing a week from yesterday.
Have to think that at this point, the NFL intends on concluding Bills/Bengals.I know this may sound crappy to say, but I honestly think a big part of the reason is that Bills/Bengals is the final game of fantasy/best ball seasons.