Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With the Buffalo Bills heading into the AFC Playoffs next week as a Wild Card team, it is more than likely the team will play its final game at Highmark Stadium, a venue the team has called its home since 1973, this Sunday against the New York Jets.
52 years ago, the Bills opened the stadium in Orchard Park against the Jets, of all teams, and came away with a 9-7 victory in front of a raucous Western New York crowd. The Bills will hope to make it a full-circle moment with a win in 2025 and send the stadium off on a high note.
As many Bills fans are reveling the final home game at the current stadium before the team makes the move next season to the new Highmark Stadium across the street, Bills head coach Sean McDermott is also among those soaking in the final weekend of football at the stadium.
"It is a unique stadium around the NFL," said McDermott on Friday during his weekly appearance on the "Extra Point Show" on WGR. "Just this morning, I was driving down Abbott Road and I'm slowing down my car, just looking at the stadium, taking it in and going, 'OK, this is the last weekend."
Another thrill for many, including McDermott, is the Bills will celebrate the final game at the stadium by donning the red Bills helmets that the team wore during, arguably, its most successful era of football in the 1990s.
"I love the red helmets," McDermott said with Sal Capaccio. "When I first got here, I asked for those and we weren't able to get them. But I love to see them back. It's what I remember growing up, watching the Bills over the years, and I am a big fan."
With a playoff spot in tow, all that matters, at this point, it playoff seeding for the Bills, who could finish as either the 5-, 6- or 7-seed, depending on the outcome of their game with the Jets and others around the league. Even then, this week may allow for a number of players on the roster to get a day off to either rest up for the playoffs, or continue to heal from an ailment.
On the injury front, McDermott ruled only three players out of Sunday's contest: Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety Jordan Poyer.
As for quarterback Josh Allen, who continues to nurse a foot injury, McDermott says he is "good to go" to start, though the Bills head coach would not commit to how long Allen will play this week. Allen does continue to ride a league-best 134 consecutive starts streak - including playoffs - that started during his rookie season in 2018.
As for running back James Cook, there is a chance he could play longer in this game with the NFL rushing title still on the line. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor only trails Cook by 47 yards, and will be on the field just before the Bills this week when he faces the Houston Texans for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
McDermott is fully aware of the Colts playing earlier on Sunday, which will be a positive for knowing how long the Bills may want to play their top running back.
"That will be something we will do our best with within the situation we are in, in terms to this weekend and the playoffs next week," McDermott said.
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