(Above Image Source: Buffalo Rumblings)

When: Sunday, January 22nd, 3 PM EST

Where: Highmark Field (Buffalo, NY)

Channel: CBS (check your local listings)

The Divisional Playoffs continue as the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills pick up where they left off, but this time, in a game with high stakes.

The Monday Night Horror

It happened nearly three weeks ago, on January 2nd. It was the second to last week of the season, and there were playoff implications.

Over 65,000 fans filled Paycor Stadium. The game went on like any other. Then came what could possibly be the biggest scare in NFL history with less than six minutes left of the first quarter.

Safety Damar Hamlin tackled Tee Higgins, causing him to collapse into cardiac arrest a few minutes later. That moment left everyone in the stadium shocked and silent. CPR was being performed on Hamlin on the field, and his heartbeat managed to be restored. He was then given oxygen as he was being transferred into an ambulance. He was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

For more than an hour, a lot happened. The game broadcast was cut nearly 15 minutes later. Then, the game was suspended ten minutes later, and Hamlin left the stadium in the ambulance eight minutes later. At 9:52 pm, Sean McDermott and other Bills players emerged from the locker room and gathered on the field to form a prayer circle. The game was postponed eight minutes later. It was finally canceled the next day.

On the Short End of the Playoff Stick

Three weeks ago on Friday, the game’s cancelation caused the NFL to come up with a resolution where a coin flip determined who would host the wild-card game between the Bengals and Ravens.

On top of that, three different scenarios were created with the possibility that Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta would be used as a neutral site for the AFC Championship game should one of them follow through. What made this harder was that the stadium started the ticket sales almost a week ago for what the NFL predicts will most likely be the Bills versus the Chiefs.

The only working scenario the Bengals now have is that they have to win against the Bills to avoid the neutral site scenario altogether. The entire Bengals organization expressed its disapproval toward the NFL for leaving them in this state. They believed that the resolution rewarded other teams, put them at a disadvantage, and robbed them of an opportunity to host a playoff game.

Weathering the Storms

Buffalo’s season wasn’t easy, and I am not talking about the games. Before Hamlin’s collapse, the city and its team dealt with a few tough obstacles in and out of the football field.

However, Hamlin’s collapse and his road to recovery were their biggest challenge yet. Just the thought of their teammate dying in front of them, and the emotions that poured out of them and their opponents that night was hard on everyone, everywhere.

Day by day, game after game, the only thing they and everyone else wanted to know was how Hamlin was doing. They would be playing for Hamlin as much as they will for a Super Bowl.

Who Will Advance?

Buffalo is fueled by motivation and Hamlin’s road to recovery, but Cincinnati is driven by pride and the need to prove something.

However, Buffalo will need to redeem themselves after their win against the Dolphins in the wild card playoffs. They blew a 17-0 lead after QB Josh Allen made three turnovers, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown, that allowed the Dolphins to get back in the game. He now has recorded six turnovers in his last three games. He mostly nails the majority of his throws when there is an easy opening which will not be enough in games like this.

The Bengals have been on a tear even with that canceled game. They made it to the Super Bowl last year, and they intend to do it again this year. However, their defense has been struggling since losing La’el Collins, Alex Cappa, and Jonah Williams. The offense is looking sharp, though, and as long as Joe Burrow nails his throws and rely on Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon to hold the ball tight, they should be fine.

My final guess is we will see Cincinnati in the AFC Championship once again.