With reports that Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s condition has improved significantly, the NFL has begun to actively consider next steps in terms of seeding and scheduling for the AFC.
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during Monday’s Bills vs. Bengals game and required resuscitation.
It was reported Friday morning that Hamlin had removed his breathing tube and FaceTimed his teammates.
“I love you boys,” Hamlin said over the phone.
He was also able to communicate with the hospital staff and his family members without additional help.
The game was canceled entirely.
This begs the question: what happens to AFC seeding? What is happening to futures markets in terms of seeding, win totals, conference winners and others? What about futures betting specifically for the Bills and Bengals?
Although these answers are subject to change due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we are aware of this courtesy of DraftKings.
Bills, Bengals win totals
The winning totals for the Bills and Bengals were already decided at DraftKings. The Bills came into the season with 11.5 for the highest win total. They topped that against the Bears on Christmas Eve. The Bengals hovered around 10 and 10.5 preseason — they surpassed those numbers with their win over the Patriots on Christmas Eve.
Alternative winning totals were available in pre-season – these bets would be void if weeks 17 and 18 were needed to calculate these results. The overall wins of all other teams are not affected.
AFC #1 seed, #2 seed, #3 seed
These markets would also be fixed unchanged. In all likelihood – if the Chiefs and Bills get down to business this weekend – this market will pay out as follows:
Seed #1: bosses
No. 2 seeds: bills
No. 3 seeds: Bengal
Meanwhile, no bets will be void on these markets. The Bills could have snagged the No. 1 seed by beating the Bengals and then the Patriots this Sunday.
The Bengals could have secured first place with victories over the Bills and Ravens.
Now neither team has a shot at the 1 unless the Chiefs fail against the Raiders on Saturday.
Super Bowl Winner, AFC Conference Winner
These markets would be similarly determined by which team is crowned the postseason AFC champion or Super Bowl champion. Meanwhile, no bets will be void on these markets.
AFC North Champion
The Bengals are awarded the AFC North crown.
Had the Bengals lost to the Bills and lost to the Ravens in Week 18, Baltimore would have been champions, giving Baltimore fans and bettors the short end of the stick.
For wagering purposes, those who win the AFC North with the Bengals are paid out.
And that’s despite the fact that the Ravens could still host a matchup against the Bengals. If the Ravens beat the Bengals and the Chargers beat the Broncos, a coin toss would determine home field for the #3 vs. #6 matchup between the Bengals and Ravens.
Joe Burrow, Josh Allen Passing Futures
All individual player futures are paid out unchanged. Burrow and Allen had a chance to catch Patrick Mahomes in the passing TD market, but that’s not going to happen with a game down.
Which bills vs. Bengals Markets have been settled and which have been annulled?
While the vast majority of bets on Bills vs Bengals were void, some markets had already been settled prior to the game being suspended.
The following markets were settled at DraftKings. All other marketplaces have been declared invalid.
- First touchdown scorer
- Anytime touchdown scorer
- Overall first quarter
- Bengals first touchdown scorer
- First Bills Drive result
- First Bengals Drive Result
- First Scoring Game Type (6 Ways)
- Race to 6 Points – First Quarter
- First score – expired at or after 6:00 am
- Bengals scores 1+ points (max $50)
- First team to score a goal
- First touchdown yards
- First scoring yards
- Made first field goal
- First touchdown – at or after 9:00 Elapsed
- First Score Method 3-Way
- Bills Score First / Moneyline
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