Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills are just two days away from kicking off the 2022 NFL season in Los Angeles against the defending Super Bowl champion Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott joined the "Extra Point Show" on Tuesday for the first of his weekly appearances on WGR. Among the items discussed was his team's expectations, as well as the importance of not looking too far ahead into the future.
"The biggest thing is trying to keep big picture perspective on things, and know that this is just Game 1 of 17," said McDermott while chatting with Sal Capaccio and Joe DiBiase.
The idea of keeping things in perspective is certainly something McDermott has learned to do over his five years as head coach of the Bills. Since he has taken the helm, his teams have gone 3-2 in Week 1 matchups, with all three wins coming against the New York Jets.
It was last season when the Bills lost their opening week home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-16, at Highmark Stadium.
When asked about how he felt training camp and preseason went for his team towards preparing for the upcoming season, as a whole, McDermott believes everything went well.
"I thought the plan and the purpose of going to Rochester paid off, in terms of achieving the goals we set for ourselves out there," McDermott said. "Then coming back to Buffalo and being around our facilities, staff and fans have been good, as well. I think we're ready to go, and we'll try and put the finishing touches on our preparation [Tuesday] and [Wednesday]."
One of the biggest questions many Bills fans have heading into Thursday is the availability of some key players like wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, safety Jordan Poyer, and defensive tackle Tim Settle. Each of them have been dealing with nagging injuries over the last several days and weeks.
When asked if the three are on track to play on Thursday, McDermott simply responded, "Yes, they are."
McDermott was also asked about going up against the defending Super Bowl champions, and the pressure that comes with that matchup.
"[The Rams] are a good football team, it doesn't take a head NFL coach to say or know that," McDermott said. "They're the defending champs, they've got a good roster. It'll be two competitive, good teams going out there. I'm sure we'll learn a lot from it, and I'm sure they're thinking of us in in a similar way. It'll be a fun game to watch on television, and to be a part of."
Kickoff for Thursday night's opener in Los Angeles is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET and can be heard live on WGR with John Murphy, Eric Wood and Sal Capaccio on the call.
Hear more of McDermott's comments during the "Extra Point Show" in the player below:
