
David Eulitt/Getty Images
David Eulitt/Getty Images
The NFL stated on Thursday morning that Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been chosen as the neutral site to host a potential AFC Championship between the Chiefs and the Bills.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta would host a potential AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 29, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2023
The NFL determined last week that any potential rematch between these two teams would be at a neutral location to keep matters fair for the Bills as they were unable to control their own destiny for the No. 1 seed after their game with the Bengals was ruled a no contest last weekend. The Chiefs earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed last week by defeating the Raiders.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is an indoor site where the elements won’t play a factor. If this match up does play out, you can be sure that fans from both sides are going to be making the trip down to cheer on their teams for a chance to make the Super Bowl.
Rumors of the NFL using this as a trial for neutral-site conference championship games have emerged, and while that would be intriguing (and similar to college football’s setup), it would minimize the importance of obtaining home-field advantage in the regular season. Although, getting that No. 1 seed is always important as it comes with a bye week, as well.
If a third playoff clash between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen commences, the league will see this compromise/experiment come to fruition in what would be a very interesting development in the league for years to come.
24 year old Bills fanatic and writer from Rochester, NY. Studied Business writing and Marketing at The College of Brockport and graduated May 2020. I’ve been a die hard Bills fan from a very young age and they remain a huge focal point of my life. I love writing, talking about the Bills, or sports in general.