The Cincinnati Bengals entered Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills needing two wins to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFL playoffs and two wins and a loss from the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But after Monday night’s game was canceled due to the terrifying Damar Hamlin injury, the NFL changed the playoff seeding rules and the new rules significantly hurt the Bengals.
As Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback points out, after the canceled game and the rule changes, the Bengals no longer control their own destiny for the No. 2 seed, and have been eliminated from competing for the No. 1 seed altogether.
One thing the Bengals did control going into Monday night that they now don't: The No. 2 seed, which guarantees a home game in the divisional round. So I can understand where they're chafed by the changes.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 6, 2023
“One thing the Bengals did control going into Monday night that they now don’t: The No. 2 seed, which guarantees a home game in the divisional round. So I can understand where they’re chafed by the changes,” Breer said in a Tweet.
To make matters worse, even though the Bengals technically clinched the AFC North title after the canceled game, the Bengals could still miss out on a home playoff game if they lose to the Ravens and then lose a coin toss determining home-field advantage.
All of this comes after the Bengals were leading the Bills 7-3 in the first quarter of Monday night’s game and driving deep into Bills territory in an attempt to hop out to an early two-score lead.
It’s obviously a difficult situation all around, but the Bengals aren’t exactly happy about these changes, and it’s easy to see why.
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