Buffalo, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Bills found their way to a heart-stopping victory in a back and forth affair with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It was an impressive performance and a return-to-form for the offense, which has seen struggles for most of the season. Josh Allen was responsible for six touchdowns, three rushing and three passing. The Bills defense also came up with a few field goals and stops early on in the game as the offense did not get off to the fastest start. McDermott credits the staff and players for their adaptability.
"First half, the run game was was not good enough. Second half, we did a better job winning first down some of those first down runs, getting them into some second and seven plus situations, and then it was winning third down after that. Baker made a couple scramble plays, then we changed some things up again. So really, really happy with how both sides adjusted. Staff wise, offensively, I think we were averaging what, 3.8 on first down. We end up with seven yards on first downs. And then defensively, they were averaging seven, and they end up at 4.6 so obviously, something changed, which credit the staff and the players for that."
Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch in the contest after being late to a team meeting on Friday. McDermott says that it was disappointing for it to come to that.
"It is disappointing, but I still believe in the young man. And we get to a certain point, and I've got to do something, I try and give the guys kind of a strike approach. Hey, you get a chance to show your teammates, that's not really who you are. And when it happens again, then I step in. So I believe he will learn from it. He takes it seriously, and he will move forward in a way of growing from this. And that's the whole goal."
McDermott also highlighted Allen's play and how he was able to turn it around after a sketchy start.
"You guys know Josh, he's, he's hard to stop. And, you know, we all know how last week went, and probably better question for him, but the Josh that I know, he will not be denied. That's the type of competitor, type of person, type of teammate that he is. And it wasn't just Josh, all 11 guys on offense, and then guys that were rolling in there thought did a phenomenal job Joe and the offensive staff, same thing. So it's a good team win right here, but we've got to learn from from it and continue to move and grow as we move forward here."
The Bills are on the road for a short week where they take on the Houston Texans for Thursday Night Football. You will be able to catch all of the game action on the radio home of the Buffalo Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.