Bengals fans react to the playoff scenario reveal
The Cincinnati Bengals were still in the running to win the No. 1 seed in the AFC before their Monday night matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The NFL released potential playoff scenarios (it still has to be voted on) and this scenario would not give the Bengals any shot whatsoever at the No. 1 seed.
Bengals fans, as you can expect, are not happy about that.
Bengals fans are not happy about the hand their team was dealt
The AFC north title came with:
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) January 6, 2023
Possibility of not hosting a playoff game
Harder schedule
Later draft pick
Great! https://t.co/PRJT0kwGlO
I really hope Katie Blackburn voted against this as a member of the competition committee
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) January 6, 2023
If the Ravens get to flip a coin because the Bengals might have lost Monday night, the Bengals should get to flip a coin if they play Buffalo in the divisional round because they might have won Monday night. Right!?? https://t.co/B17PKedfCK
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) January 6, 2023
The NFL essentially gave the Bengals a loss vs the Bills.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) January 6, 2023
Having no option for Bengals-Bills neutral site baffles me.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) January 6, 2023
The NFL will set precedence in the event that something horrific happens on the field again in the future.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 6, 2023
If this passes, they're basically saying "You better get back out there and finish the game or it'll be counted as a loss."
The benefits of a division title is a home playoff game. I can’t believe the committee proposal has an option where that doesn’t happen for the Bengals, but hey let’s look at the NFC side where an 8 win team will host.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) January 6, 2023
7 home games
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) January 6, 2023
9 road games
Wins the division
Not guaranteed a home playoff game
I’m struggling here
If the Bengals have to open the playoffs on the road it’s because they went 2-4 in the division.
— Matt Edwards (@MattEdwards) January 6, 2023
You can’t lose to Trubisky, Brissett and Tyler F. Huntley and complain.
Also this: the Bengals aren’t losing to Baltimore on Sunday.
I absolutely understand why Bengals fans are livid about this scenario. In no situation should winning the division end up being a bad thing but it totally could in this situation! If the Bengals lose on Sunday, there's a chance they'd have to flip a coin to potentially get a home playoff game. As a division winner, teams are guaranteed a home playoff game but not in this case apparently.
It's a crummy situation to be in especially because the Bengals 100% did the right thing on Monday night. So then why does it feel as though they're being punished for doing the right thing?
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What I will say is that in this scenario, the Bengals are guaranteed no lower than the No. 3 seed. Had the game continued on Monday night and the stripes lost, this weekend's game would be for the AFC North title. So there's that if you're looking for any kind of silver lining.