Penn State’s football season may be finished, but that doesn’t mean that Happy Valley needs to wait for the Blue-White Game until football returns to Beaver Stadium.

After the NFL adjusted the end-of-season schedule following Damar Hamlin’s injury, the true winner of the American Football Conference is up for debate. With this in mind, the league announced that under certain circumstances, the AFC Championship game may be played at a neutral site. If the Bills and Chiefs meet in the AFC Championship game, which is a real possibility, the game will be played at a neutral site

Rumors have been swirling that both Indianapolis and Detroit have turned down potentially hosting the championship game, leaving the league in potential limbo should the situation arise. The league has yet to determine a location for the game and, here at Onward State, we’ve come up with one simple answer. NFL, play the game at Beaver Stadium.

As the NFL season winds down, why shouldn’t the league place one of its most exciting games at one of the most electric football atmospheres in the world?

Happy Valley is the perfect location for the conference championship. For starters, the game is truly neutral. Should the matchup come down to the Bills against the Kansas City Chiefs, neither team holds a major presence in State College. It would be an even matchup for those fans traveling long distances to see their team play.

While the Bills are significantly closer to the venue than the Chiefs, both teams are still a flight away. With the Super Bowl on the line, both fanbases would be sure to show out.

Under a sellout, the game would host one of the largest crowds in NFL history. If the NFL really wants to create a great atmosphere and make history, Beaver Stadium is the place to put the game.

Admittedly, Beaver Stadium is larger than any NFL stadium. It may be hard for the game to sell out, especially with both fanbases removed from hosting. However, under a circumstance where the league is unable to sell out the game, Penn State students and State College residents would most certainly fill out the stadium. And everyone already knows how Penn State fans act in Beaver Stadium.

Additionally, where else would be a better location to host the famous Bills Mafia other than State College? Bills fans are legendary tailgaters, and Penn State fans are well-known within college football for the quality of their tailgates. If nothing else, the two groups can compare tailgating notes and improve both sides’ tailgating in future seasons.

NFL fans deserve a championship game in one of the best stadiums in the world. Penn State fans deserve one last football game this season. It’s a match made in heaven.

NFL, it’s time to do the right thing. There’s no need to send the championship game to New York, Los Angeles, or any other NFL stadium. The home of the AFC Championship belongs in Beaver Stadium.