The only team truly getting screwed in all this is the Bengals. I do not even know how someone could dispute that. This should show teams now that doing the right thing will lead you to get penalized.
So, lets recap what these changes do for the Bengals:
1) They cannot get the top seed
2) They need outside help to get the 2 seed
3) They "win" the AFC north but still need to win another game otherwise a coin flip decides if they get home field advantage for one game
4)If they face the Bills in the playoffs, no coin flip is necessary, no neutral site, the Bills get homefield. But if the Bills win this week and face Chiefs it is at a neutral site.
There is not a single benefit for the Bengals in this, not one. Not one other team could the same be said for. Next time, I would say if you dont want to play its a forfeit or we stay on the field.