The Atlanta Falcons didn’t make the NFL playoffs paving the way for their home stadium to become the site for a potential AFC Championship Game.
This possible game will be between Kansas City Chiefs & Buffalo Bills.
Atlanta will host the AFC Championship Game if a neutral site is chosen between Kansas City and Buffalo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2023
The NFL announced Thursday that Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the AFC Championship, if necessary. Because of the way the playoff positioning has been determined, this option is necessary. The Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals match on January 2nd was cancelled after Bills DB Damar Hamelin collapsed during the first quarter. In the event of such an unfortunate event, the NFL needed a backup plan. Hamlin is now doing well after suffering a cardiac arrest.
“We are heartened by the continued improvement and progress of Damar Hamlin in his recovery, and Damar and his family remain top of mind for the entire NFL community,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
Goodell also stated that “We are also grateful to Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons for agreeing to host the AFC Championship Game in Atlanta should the Bills and Chiefs advance. We thank them both for their help in the planning process. We know, if necessary, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will provide a world class atmosphere for the competing teams, our fans and partners.”
Additional details were also announced by the NFL for a Buffalo-Kansas City championship game. Information such as ticket information will be made available at a later date. Kansas City is approximately 800 miles from Atlanta, while Buffalo is approximately 892 miles away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That’s about as neutral a site as one can find.
According to NFL betting sites, both teams are strongly favored to be AFC representatives in the Super Bowl. Both teams will be able to play at a neutral venue.