RULE 17

[Science Friction]

(01-04-2023, 01:21 PM)GAWhoDey Wrote: Definitely an emergency.  

An EMERGENCY SQUAD literally drove onto the field.  Natural disasters and illnesses arent' the only types of emergencies. This would fall under the category of a MEDICAL emergency, and a life and death one at that. 

Absolutely an emergency.

Look,  Rule 17 forged a clear path ahead for Goodell if he wanted to go that route:

ARTICLE 9:

"In instances under these emergency procedures which require the Commissioner to reschedule a regular-season game, the Commissioner will make every effort to set the game for no later than two days after its originally scheduled date, and will attempt to schedule the game at its original site. If unable to do so, the Commissioner will schedule it at the nearest available facility. If it is impossible to schedule the game within two days after its original date, the Commissioner will attempt to schedule it on the Tuesday of the next calendar week in which the two involved clubs play other clubs (or each other). Further, the Commissioner will keep in mind the potential for competitive inequities if one or both of the involved clubs has already been scheduled for a game following the Tuesday of that week (e.g., Thanksgiving).




I suspect Goodell approached both coaches with the prospect of playing on Wednesday and one, or both, said no to that idea. His next option, by rule, is to schedule it for Tuesday, Jan 10. Maybe move Bengals/Ravens , Bills/Patriots to Thurs or Friday of this week and then Bengals/Bills conclusion on the 10th. Bottomline, by rule the Commish is supposed to "make every effort" to set the conclusion of the game within two days of Monday night, and if that is impossible then set it for Tuesday the 10th. That's what the rule says. Bottomline, as harsh as it may sound, the Buffalo Bills are gonna have to circle the damn wagons and play football. 


If the Commissioner sets a date for the game to be played and the Bills refuse to take the field, then, at that point , the rules give him the authority to declare the game a forfeit. In my opinion, Goodell should have gone ahead and set the reschedule for either Wednesday(within two days) or Tuesday of next week . Any team that refuses to take the field receives a forfeit loss and we move on.  The rules clearly forged a path ahead but Goodell is worried about bad PR. He has once again shown himself to be a feckless and indecisive Commissioner.