It was just two weeks ago that we were supposed to watch the Bills and Bengals play on Monday Night Football. And we did, for approximately six minutes. Then, it all came to a screeching halt as Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. The game was canceled, and now, fate has apparently informed us that they'll go head-to-head in the Divisional Round.
There are plenty of exciting matchups this weekend, but there's not a single game I'm more excited to watch than this one. The game kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and will air on CBS, and here are some reasons it's a must-watch matchup that nothing to do with football.
Joe Burrow is a king, but also relatable
I've already been vocal in the call for Joey B, AKA King of The North, to get a really, really fat check this offseason. In fact, you can read all about the football and non-football reasons I'm rooting for him here.
Since publishing that article, he gave me yet another reason to love him. Watch the video below to see why.
Have you ever put your pants on backward? Maybe you had your shirt on inside out and didn't notice? Joe Burrow can relate, and I think that's really kind of beautiful.
Josh Allen has that dog in him, confirmed
You know Josh Allen has cajones based on his aggressive rushing style. He's not afraid of 300 lb. defensive linemen. In fact, he baits them.
Their head coaches are also national treasures.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor has a tradition of delivering game balls to local bars. This act is a case study on how you endear yourself to a community and fanbase. Honestly, though I am a Steelers fan, and by nature of being AFC North rivals, I am fan-tractually obligated to hate the Bengals, I really love this for the city of Cincinnati.
Sean McDermott is a goated too, FWIW. The transformation of the Bills franchise during his six-year tenure aside, we also saw his incredible leadership on display, in live time, on national TV, navigating the Damar Hamlin issue. He protected his team like a papa bear or mama bear protects their cubs. He was honest, and human, when he noted that he shouldn't be coaching — he needed to be at the hospital with his player. Josh Allen had to say this about McDermott that day, "I can't say enough about what he did, what he said to us in the locker room."
I have all the feels.
These cities are intrinsically bonded.
The outpouring of support from fans of all teams following Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest felt unprecedented. Bengals fans gathered in prayer outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in a showing of support
As WCPO Cincinnati explains, sharing that traumatic experience isn't the only thing that ties them together.
Do you remember how the Bills broke their 18-year playoff drought? It all came down to a 49-yard touchdown pass from then-Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to WR Tyler Boyd. That touchdown sealed a Cincinnati win over Baltimore, which was the final domino that needed to fall for the Bills to make the Wild Card. Bills Mafia made donations to Dalton's and Boyd's respective charities in an expression of gratitude for their playoff berth.
Little did they know, that playoff berth would be the first of many more in the years to come, with a franchise quarterback in waiting.
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