Bengals’ Joe Mixon seemingly takes issue with NFL postseason seeding changes following canceled game vs Bills

Cincinnati Bengals veteran Joe Mixon apparently isn’t a fan of the NFL’s resolution to Monday night’s canceled game against the Buffalo Bills, which was initially suspended after second-year safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after fell on the field.

The league made the announcement Thursday night, citing several factors, including that teams that already qualified for the postseason would not have been affected by the game’s outcome, but rescheduling it would push the playoffs back a week. .

Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Paycor Stadium on November 6, 2022 in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

“This has been a very difficult week,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

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“We remain focused on Damar Hamlin’s recovery and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition, as well as the tremendous support and care for Damar and his family from across the country. We are also extremely grateful for the amazing work of the medical staff and I congratulate each of them”.

Damar Hamlin, #3 of the Buffalo Bills, reacts after a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

While Mixon was among the many players who celebrated the positive update on Hamlin’s health on Thursday, he was apparently upset with the NFL’s handling of the Week 17 game.

“So we don’t follow the rules anymore,” Mixon tweeted with a screenshot of the NFL’s rulebook on its canceled game policy.

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“If a game is forfeited, a team’s position in its division or conference (eg, playoff wild card qualification or playoff seeding position) will be determined based on its record. his final,” the rule says.

The NFL acknowledged that the canceled game creates “potential competitive imbalances in certain playoff scenarios,” which could be what Mixon is referring to in his tweet.

The Bills-Bengals game had major playoff implications for the AFC. Buffalo (12-3) entered Monday night looking for a win to maintain the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) now hold that spot. The Bengals (11-4) had a chance to regain that lead with two more wins and a Chiefs loss.

Joe Mixon, #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals, stretches before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium on January 2, 2023 in Cincinnati. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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The NFL will hold a Special League meeting on Friday to determine several different scenarios that could result in the AFC Championship Game being played at a neutral site.

They will also discuss using a coin toss to determine the spot for a potential Wild Card game between the Baltimore Ravens and Bengals in the event that Baltimore beats Cincinnati this weekend and faces each other in the playoffs.

Despite being crowned AFC North champions as a result of the canceled game, the Bengals are not guaranteed a home playoff game in the Wild Card round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.