01-04-2023, 11:15 AM
(01-04-2023, 02:48 AM)Science Friction Wrote: Other things the Commish cannot do: (See below)
1. Unilaterally declare a forfeit
2. Terminate the game early and award the Bengals a 7-3 victory
3. Cancel/ Declare a no contest(except as a last resort)
4. Declare a tie
From footballzebras.com
The policies do outline a few things the commissioner cannot do. He cannot unilaterally declare a forfeit, and he essentially lacks any authority to do so except in a very limited circumstance of a team refusing to take the field. This game in particular cannot be terminated early — in other words, declaring a 7-3 Bengals win — because games may only be terminated if “it is reasonable to project that its resumption (a) would not change its ultimate result or (b) would not adversely affect any other inter-team competitive issue.” The playoff seedings are definitely affected by the outcome of this game. Similarly, the commissioner cannot outright cancel the game — nullify everything from the game and have it uncontested — except as a last resort. Some have also suggested that the game be declared a tie. There is no provision for the commissioner to do so, and the half-win in the standings also presents the “inter-team competitive issue” that the league would avoid.
Unilaterally is the key word. The Bengals and bills could likely agree to a tie, forfeit or coin toss and make it doable. If they think that is better than jumbling the schedule. Maybe all teams would have to sign off on it.
