NFL selects Atlanta for potential Bills

If an AFC Championship between the Bills and Chiefs had been held in Buffalo or Kansas City, it would have been played outdoors, with weather a factor.

Now? Not.

The NFL has selected Atlanta — yes, Atlanta — as the neutral site for a conference championship game between the Bills and Chiefs, if both qualify.

Weather won't be a factor. And the game won't be played on grass, the preferred surface of the NFL's players.

But it could be conducive to a pinball machine of scoring, with offenses unimpeded by cold or wind or rain or snow.

There's another factor to consider. By picking one of the various Super Bowl host cities for the AFC Championship, the NFL could be viewing this as a test run for possibly making future conference championships neutral-site games.

Regardless, this one should have been outside. In the elements.

At least the hot dogs and beer will be cheap.

It sure seems like the nfl wants the Bills to win the Super Bowl this year. They must have bet on them early on in the year.

The game is meant to be played indoors

Was hoping for Vegas, everyone would have been happy.

Seems like Indy might have been easier to get to for fans of both teams. Then again, the cost to remove lingering Irsay stench from Lucas Oil Field would have been prohibitive.

Literally the worst lighting in all of football. That place is dark and dank.

It's not hard just flip a coin this is silly .

I hope they don't start doing neutral cities for these games. Fans should have the ability to see these games without having to travel or add the already high expenses.

A dome, what a shocker. This league is so soft.

Terrible, but why expect anything different from the tone deaf NFL. Denver, Green Bay, Chicago, and Pittsburgh were all better ideas. All had grass and outdoor stadiums.

I really cannot say anything because under this plan, there is not a single site they could have chosen that would have made everyone happy.

Congrats to Atlanta for offering the biggest bribe to Goodell!

just a terrible decision….2 cold weather teams should be played in a cold weather environment, not a vacuum

Ridiculous!

Wha a joke! Flipping a coin or using total points scored to determine home field would be light years better than no home game at all. What a terrible president to set. Get ready for championship games to be sold to the highest bidding city and played out of the country.

This is dumb

Let the hysteria ensue.

I get what they’re thinking; no external elements to deal with would not favor either team and a lot of points is great for ratings. The thing is, with it being KC vs Buffalo, a game everyone and their mother would want to watch, how "good" the game is from a competitive standpoint is irrelevant to the ratings. The pre & post to this game will draw significantly better ratings than the next closest program airing the same time as the game. This would have been so much fun outdoors in the cold

It's a pro-KC choice for sure, to the surprise of no one.

Chiefs play good in Atlanta. I would have rathered it be played outdoors and mildly cold but I’ll take Atlanta over Indianapolis.

I’m just here for the Costanza references, nicely done as always

Who's the head referee? Vince McMahon? The NFL should be ashamed of this setup on so many levels.

Atlanta is hardly in the regular Super Bowl rotation, the literal bloodstains of Ray Lewis’ double-murder charges at the 2000 game left a horrible impression among NFL and corporate sponsor elites and the only reason they hosted the 2019 game was as a reward for building the new stadium. Atlanta won't be offered another Super Bowl until they build the next stadium in 20-30-40 years.

All the bad stuff is true but It puts the game within driving distance for me.When all is said and done everyone thinks what's in if for me. I would prefer N.O.but we can't have everything.

Wow! People need to relax….the league was put in a strange and unprecedented situation. You can't assume every venue was available and willing to host. Atlanta is as good an option as any and is pretty much equidistant from Buff and KC. Just enjoy the game if this matchup even happens.

Bills getting serious favors from the NFL. First, moved a game to Detroit when other outdoor options were available, now this. KC fans should revolt by being robbed of a potential home game.

whodeysaysnobody says:January 12, 2023 at 12:03 pmIt sure seems like the nfl wants the Bills to win the Super Bowl this year. They must have bet on them early on in the year.____________________________What about this remotely suggest that?

KC benefits just as much from an indoor game. Atlanta is nowhere near either city.

ATL made the playoffs 😀

So a Bengals/Bills divisional round matchup would take place in Buffalo. But a Bills/Chiefs AFC championship can't take place in KC?…..

The Chick Fil-A AFC Championship Game presented by Dr Pepper

Christian says:January 12, 2023 at 12:19 pmWho's the head referee? Vince McMahon? The NFL should be ashamed of this setup on so many levels.

Vince McMahon would do a better job than most of the present referees.

The reaction here is hilarious. What's wrong w/ this choice? It's neutral – that's really the only main criterion.

Not everything is a conspiracy. Hard to believe, but true.

Should be played outside at Boise St football field.

"…test run for possibly making future conference championships neutral-site games."

Taking home field throughout the playoffs should really make the last 2 or 3 really exciting for fans of teams that already clinched and the fans of their opponents.

First of all, CIN, LAC or JAX may have something to say about this. At this moment there's only mathematically around a 40% chance of the neutral site game happening. Not likely right now.

Second, why should it have to be outside. Conditions will be the same for both teams. It's fair. Not to mention the two best QBs in the game would be at their best in perfect conditions. It will make for a great game. It doesn't matter if it's a lot of scoring.

Boooooo! Just an awful idea to move all conference championship games to a neutral site in future.

And yes, when the Bills lose to KC in the AFCCG it will be a convenient excuse!

That's what I’m saying. No matter where they chose, people would have been mad.

—–billsrthefuture says:January 12, 2023 at 12:27 pmThe reaction here is hilarious. What's wrong w/ this choice? It's neutral – that's really the only main criterion.

Not everything is a conspiracy. Hard to believe, but true.

It is Total BS. If the Chiefs and Bills make it to the AFCCG, it should be played in Kansas City.

LOL Atlanta is a terrible choice.

How is the game ticketed? That's the part of this the NFL has never explained. KC is the #1 seed, but the game could be played at a neutral site. If it is, does KC still get the bulk of the tickets, like they should as the #1 seed, or is that done ‘neutral’, too?

Let's see . . .

Favors the Bills:January 12, 2023 at 12:03 pm

It sure seems like the nfl wants the Bills to win the Super Bowl this year. They must have bet on them early on in the year.

Favors the Chiefs:January 12, 2023 at 12:15 pm

It's a pro-KC choice for sure, to the surprise of no one.

Favors Arthur Blank and Roger Goddell:January 12, 2023 at 12:10 pm

Congrats to Atlanta for offering the biggest bribe to Goodell!

Favors sanity:January 12, 2023 at 12:27 pm

Not everything is a conspiracy. Hard to believe, but true.

Lambeau would have been much better – two winter teams playing in real weather at an iconic site.

Unfortunately the NFL leaves these choices to lawyers who think more about the box amenities and how the mistress would react

"NFL could be viewing this as a test run for possibly making future conference championships neutral-site games."

This, this, this.Purely to increase profit.

Chiefs and Bills are odds on favorites, but this match up is not written in stone. I agree and see this as a test by the NFL to gauge a reaction to neutral sites for Conference Championship games.

I think Goodell is paying back Arthur Blank for a favor.

Love this!! Huge KC fan, but I live in ATL. A chance to see my team in person. Boom!

Afc championship game will be played in the jungle vs the chargers.

As long as Carl Cheffers and crew aren't officiating the (potential) game, I like the Chiefs’chances.

gross

How is the tickets deal going to work? I know each team will get their allotment but what about the rest?

Should have been outside, so many options for that and they pick this.

Could have been Nashville or Charlotte if you didn't want freezing cold.

The league keeps making bad decisions

Let's be real, the main reason for this neutral site game is so Goodell can give one of the other owners some $$ (he probably got a little kickback too)

Thats why they should have finished that no-contest … home fans will miss out IF the teams make it this far …

Hear me now and believe me later: If this happens, within 5 years the NFL will bid out all conference championship games. Also by then, they’ll have added another playoff team for each conference, so no more bye. No bye, and home field advantage for only one playoff game for the #1 seed. Before long, Roger Goodell's dream of a bunch of teams with records from 9-8 to 10-7 will have come true.

The conference championship games are maybe the most emotionally charged crowds of the whole season, unlike the sterile, corporate Super Bowl crowds.

joetoronto says:January 12, 2023 at 12:25 pm

What about this remotely suggest that?

KC benefits just as much from an indoor game. Atlanta is nowhere near either city.

———–Atlanta is a 2 hour flight from Kansas City and a 2 hour flight from Buffalo.

If it happens, Coke can start repainting the city Labatt's Blue as Bills fans swarm Fulton County!

GO BILLS!!!

Won't matter anyway. It’ll KC/CIN in the AFC championship again.

Again, this is all about appeasing a loser owner to profit some more without his team being in the playoffs, while asking Buffalo which stadium they’d like to play in.

I’d feel dirty rooting for the Chiefs, but after all this Goodell garbage, I might have to.

Bob806 says:January 12, 2023 at 12:24 pmBills getting serious favors from the NFL. First, moved a game to Detroit when other outdoor options were available, now this. KC fans should revolt by being robbed of a potential home game.___________________This is rich. The Bills gave up a home game and somehow it's spun to be doing them favors?

I can assure you the second smallest NFL market, with the worst stadium, 0 super bowl rings and a 17 year gap at the start of the century on its playoff resume is far from an NFL darling.

Bills fans, don't even think about this. One game at a time. Stay humble.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are NOT the only perfect team in NFL history. The Commissioners office is also perfect: EVERY decision made by this group is wrong. Congrats go to Goodell, Vincent, and everyone else on that team for their unblemished record and impressive consistency.

Best option available. Equal distance from both cities, plenty of hotels, good transit system, and you can get direct flights from KC and Buffalo.

"There's another factor to consider. By picking one of the various Super Bowl host cities for the AFC Championship, the NFL could be viewing this as a test run for possibly making future conference championships neutral-site games."

I’ve been saying this. It is a good idea.

Atlanta owner Arthur Blank is VERY close to commish Goodell and the PRIMARY point man on Commish compensation committee and Blank has pushed hard multiple cycles for AAAANOTHER term renewal of Goodell and his massive $40+ mil/ yr ….. here's your repayment Arther… don't listen to Jerry Jones

If you are hating on hte choice, did you consider the convention scene and hotel availability? An available stadium is only one piece of hte decision. You also need a ton of hotel rooms available for the out of town fans. Atlanta hosts two neutral site college games a year and is well equipped and proven capability. Pitt, Cleve, GB, Indy simply don't have everything needed.

Meh. That has to be the most malaise of all NFL locations.

It would be more fun outdoors, of course. And if they want indoors, I would have given it to a more deserving city, with a competitive team that just missed the playoffs – say, Detroit.

nFLs dream scenario. This will give them back to back super bowls with the AFCCG being set up like an additional super bowl.

Only the fans get screwed with this move. I won't renew my tickets if I have to pay to see my team go to a neutral site to play the AFCCG. That is a very bad idea.

Dolphins-Chargers AFC Championship Game will be in Los Angeles

joetoronto says:January 12, 2023 at 1:19 pm

This is rich. The Bills gave up a home game and somehow it's spun to be doing them favors?——————————–How do you figure that the Bills gave up a home game? The Chiefs have the better record, and against the Bengals, the Bills were behind with Cincy moving the ball possibly for another score when the game was cancelled. It isn't KC's fault that the Bills didn't finish the game the next day.

This will be a non-event since the Bengals will be one of the teams in the AFC championship anyway.

It's the economy, stupid!

It's actually the hotel rooms.

ATL is a huge convention market. The need for hotel rooms for 60,000 fans who would not otherwise be there is very important. A traditional home date for a team does not require a lot of visiting team fans to have a place to stay. They’re almost all residents of the area.

Everyone coming to that game will be coming from sone place else. Hence the need for probably some 20,000 hotel rooms. Atlanta has them. Few places do.

Christian says:January 12, 2023 at 12:19 pmWho's the head referee? Vince McMahon? The NFL should be ashamed of this setup on so many levels.

——

Boger would be perfectly fitting.

They should have picked Denver. Its a cold weather city that just spent $400,000 on new grass for the last game of the season to make sure their players didn't get injured. They would have the best playing surface in the country through the playoffs. That would mean less opportunity for injuries for the Superbowl bound team.

The NFL cannot win, in the eyes of the media, no matter what it does.First the media demands that all post-season games be played in warm climates so that media types get a vacation since most of them are in the northeastern US.Now all of a sudden the same media demands a football game be played in the weather? Why doesn't this apply to the Super Bowl?SMFH

Only the fans get screwed with this move. I won't renew my tickets if I have to pay to see my team go to a neutral site to play the AFCCG. That is a very bad ideA

++++++++++++++++++++++++*Is it paying for the ticket or traveling? Playoff tickets are not part of a season ticket package — they are a separate purchase

I would take the field against this matchup even taking place! The Divisional playoff games will tough for both the Bills and Chiefs. Would a Bills/Chargers, Chiefs/Bengals or even Bengals/Chargers AFC Championship game be all that surprising? Even the Jags are capable of going on a run. Only thing we can safely assume is that the Dolphins & Ravens shouldn't be a factor.

Give Goodell the ingredients to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and he’d screw it up too.

I like both teams but I have to root against at least one of them making it to the AFC championship because I don't want this ridiculous neutral site game to happen.

If you want to change the way playoff games are hosted, start with seeding teams according to record instead of giving division winners that are below .500 an automatic home game.

touchback6 says:January 12, 2023 at 1:18 pmAgain, this is all about appeasing a loser owner to profit some more without his team being in the playoffs, while asking Buffalo which stadium they’d like to play in.

I’d feel dirty rooting for the Chiefs, but after all this Goodell garbage, I might have to.——————Speaking for all Chiefs fans, we don't want you rooting for our team.

What is Stacy Abrams take on this?…….

You’ll know the fix is in when Carl Cheffers officiating crew is announced as working a Chiefs vs anybody in the AFCCG.

AndyB says:January 12, 2023 at 1:57 pmjoetoronto says:January 12, 2023 at 1:19 pm

This is rich. The Bills gave up a home game and somehow it's spun to be doing them favors?——————————–How do you figure that the Bills gave up a home game? The Chiefs have the better record, and against the Bengals, the Bills were behind with Cincy moving the ball possibly for another score when the game was cancelled. It isn't KC's fault that the Bills didn't finish the game the next day._________________________________I’m referring to the snow storm, in which the poster I was replying to stated moving the game was doing the Bills a favor. The Bills gave up a home game in that scenario. Somehow to the other poster, giving up a home game because there is 5 feet of snow preventing people from even being able to leave their homes was advantageous for the bills.

As a Chiefs fan the game should be played in Buffalo or KC. I’d take a coin toss over playing in ATL. Both small market teams deserve the championship game yet they’re taking it to the pit known as Atlanta…. ATL's team is awful but here you go, here's a game where you local economy will get millions, courtesy of our small market teams….

I really enjoy watching their product, but man oh man, I really really hate the NFL.

Atlanta's stadium actually opens up. So to call it a dome is factually incorrect. It may actually be open should this game happen. Surprised no one has pointed this out yet.

The idea of neutral-site championship games is just awful. Why make things easier for dome and warm-weather teams? Buffalo & KC playing in a dome? Why not Tennessee? That's closer to both than Atlanta.

I already dislike how the SB MUST be played in a sterile environment so that all the rich people who attend can be comfortable.

The fact that they chose ATL tells me Goodell's preferred choices London and Munich weren't available.

This is a pre-curser for having cities bid to host the NFC/AFC Championship game.

The league just doesn't give 2 craps about the fans whatsoever. None. Zip. Nada. This is proof they take us for granted. They know they can just about torture us and we’ll still tune in. It's going to take us banding together before the NFL will listen to us. Atlanta fans have an opportunity here to use social media to rally people NOT to go to this ridiculous venue. When the NFL/Blank sees they’ll have an empty stadium, maybe then they’ll move it to Chicago, Pittsburgh, GB or Cleve where this game belongs (out in the elements).

Personally, I wish there was a way both teams could lose.

Anyone who thought the NFL might pick an outdoor venue has no clue how the league operates. The FANS would love it, but the network and advertisers for the AFC championship game would hate it, so of course money wins out. The NFL doesn't care one iota what fans want.

Just a terrible idea and place, you are wrecking the NFL.

Oh just stop. Bills fan here, but they will not beat Cinci – match ups are p-poor – saw that a couple of weeks ago.

Did anyone ever consider the Dome at America's Center (f.k.a. Edward Jones Dome) in St. Louis? Greater capacity (for more attendance revenue) central location (for more attendance revenue). Perfect choice for Conference Championship games, Super Bowl, combine, and draft. Better revenue source and a diplomatic concession by the league to the city. Or does that make too much sense?

"Did anyone ever consider the Dome at America's Center (f.k.a. Edward Jones Dome) in St. Louis? Greater capacity (for more attendance revenue) central location (for more attendance revenue). Perfect choice for Conference Championship games, Super Bowl, combine, and draft. Better revenue source and a diplomatic concession by the league to the city. Or does that make too much sense?"

Too close to KC.

Who is at marketing in the NFL, 3rd graders, or just Jerry Jones? Okay, We get that the Super Bowl was the brainchild of Lamar Hunt after talking to his daughter playing with her Superball (it was a thing in the 60's) but building on that gem, not just wild card weekend, but there will be Super-Wild Card weekend, followed by Super-Duper divisional Playoffs, followed Two Nuetral Field Sub-Super-Bowls (formerly known as NFL conference championships), then the Super Duper Bowl….all this because everything is super sized in Texas? grow up.What happened to playing hard all season to advance your record to the point of getting home field advantage? (Oh, Yeah, Jerry's team couldn't do that because of the Eagles- so he’d like to host a NFC championship on the likely chance he doesn't field a decent enough team to get the home field advantage)- yup it's all clear as the skies of Texas (when the dust settles)

I live in Atlanta. Love football. Me and the wife overheard this at the beginning of the Chiefs Vs Jags game and thought we heard wrong. This is stupid. Save football. This is wrong. Game should be in the elements. At Arrowhead. Hotdogs and beer price just went up. It won't look like a Chiefs vs Bills playoff game. The NFL should be ashamed. Again.

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