Patch Patriots Roundup: Damar Hamlin Update, Playoff Chances

Update: On Friday morning, the Buffalo Bills shared this update on Damar Hamlin's condition:

"Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team."

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The New England Patriots are currently in the middle of a debate surely happening in NFL offices: how much can we care about the games — even with the playoffs on the line — when a player nearly died after a common football play?

On Sunday, the Patriots could punch their ticket to the playoffs while the Buffalo Bills could secure the number one spot in the AFC. But the playoff odds and potential outcomes are only the second most important storyline.

On Monday Night Football, Bills safety Damar Hamlin needed to have CPR administered on the field, and has been in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center since Monday. He suffered cardiac arrest twice, once on the field and once at the hospital, but has been making substantial progress in the last couple of days.

Doctors at the hospital held a news conference on Thursday, indicating that Hamlin is awake and can communicate through writing. Hamlin can move his extremities and can now hold the hands of family members in his hospital room.

"It’s not only that the lights are on, but we know he's home," Dr. Timothy Pritts said.

Hamlin's injury happened during one of the NFL's most significant in-season products in front of millions of viewers. Many of those viewers and others across the world have latched onto Hamlin's whole story, not just his football career or injury.

A Pittsburgh native, Hamlin created a community toy drive during his senior year at the University of Pittsburgh and has continued over the last three years. A GoFundMe fundraiser was established to help support the initiative over the years, and, since Monday, has seen an overwhelming show of support.

NFL stars, local businesses, fantasy football league members and others have been among those who donated.

According to GoFundMe's donor list on the fundraiser, Tom Brady donated $10,000, and Robert Kraft and the Patriots have donated $18,000.

The NFL, despite planning for games to be played as scheduled this week, did give the Patriots and Bills an extra day of preparation before they were required to meet with the media. That meeting typically happens on Wednesday, but this week was pushed to Thursday.

During that session, Bill Belichick said he's leaning on two former players on his coaching staff for how to move through this situation ahead of Sunday.

"Two players in particular that carry a lot of weight with me are two staff members: Troy (Brown) and Jerod (Mayo)," Belichick said, according to NBC Sports Boston. "They've played the game at this level. I haven't. They've lived the life a professional football player at a very, very, very high level, from a training, maturity, performance, longevity (perspective) -- all of the above."

"Their input and guidance has been especially valuable. ... In terms of our staff, our team, they have a great perspective. It's been very valuable to me," he continued.

Though the game is currently scheduled for Sunday, the NFL did leave the door open to potential cancelations or postponements. However, as of now, it doesn't appear that any game is likely to be postponed.

Playoff Scenarios

The NFL has a lot on its plate in terms of playoff scenarios following the cancelation of Monday's Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills game in the wake of Hamlin's injury.

As the league is still trying to decide how to handle who would get the number one seed in the AFC should the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs win on Sunday, the Patriots sit one win away from making the playoffs.

Yes, if the Patriots beat the Bills on Sunday, they're in. If they lose, they're out. It's as simple as that.

Odds and Ends

• Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m.
• Network: CBS
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Weather forecast in Buffalo: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning.