5:20 AM AST

The Week 17 game between the Bills andBengals will not continue.

The game was halted with less than six minutes left in the first quarter after Hamlin had a cardiac arrest. He had his heartbeat restored on the field before he was taken to the medical center.

Hamlin is still considered critically ill, but doctors said Thursday that he has shown substantial improvement.

The cancellation of the game was announced in a release by the league's commissioner. We are encouraged by the improvements in Hamlin's condition as well as the tremendous amount of support and care for Hamlin and his family from across the country," the statement said. We are very appreciative of the amazing work done by the medical personnel.

Before he made his decision, he spoke with the Bills and the players association.

The Bengals were leading at the time of the stop. There were no plans for the game to go1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556

The Buffalo and Kansas City teams were tied for the best record in the conference. Cincinnati would have held a three way tie with a win over Buffalo. In the 13th week of the season, the Bengals defeated the Chiefs.

As the league ponders the future of the Bills-Bengals game, the team was getting ready to face the Baltimore Ravens.

Those who want to make those decisions will be allowed to do so. We need to get ready for Baltimore on Sunday, that's all.

The game wouldn't be easy to rescheduling, according to the quarterback.

Whatever Buffalo wants to do would be what we want to do as well. We support them in whatever they decide to do.