Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills are set to travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals this coming Sunday night in their first matchup since last season's AFC Divisional Round matchup in Orchard Park. That game was won by the visiting Bengals.
This matchup will also be the first time the two teams will face off in Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium since this past January's incident where Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after going into cardiac arrest during the first quarter of action.
Given the history between these two teams over the past year, Bills head coach Sean McDermott knows that motivation won't be much of an issue for his team in this game.
"Motivation is always something that you're aware of as a coach," said McDermott during his appearance on the "Extra Point Show" on Friday. "In games like this, you don't need to do as much maybe as you do for other games. Even at the professional level, the guys need motivation from time-to-time. So this is one everyone's looking forward to, and it should make for a exciting game."
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The Bills made three different moves just in the last week that brought in some veteran players to the locker room. The Bills signed veteran free agent running back Leonard Fournette and defensive tackle Linval Joseph, while also acquiring cornerback Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers.
"Our veteran players, Rasul and also Linval - in this case - experienced players, us getting a feel for them, how much do they know? Can they pick up the system? I think they'll be good additions for us. I think what remains is what level of impact are able to make for us," said McDermott with Sal Capaccio and Joe DiBiase.
A veteran player that's taken on a different role for the Bills defense this year is safety Jordan Poyer. The 32-year-old has been utilized more as a utility player in recent games given the absence of linebacker Matt Milano. McDermott talked about the adversity his veteran safety has shown adapting to his new role.
"Talking again about a veteran player that has played a ton of football on the back end, we feel like with the loss of Milano and looking at who we have at our fingertips in the locker room and saying, 'Hey, this is a good football player that we feel like we can get on the field in a different position to help our football team and impact us on defense,'" McDermott said. "I think he's done a nice job, and this is without really having much experience playing the position."
Hear more from McDermott's appearance on the "Extra Point Show" available in the player below:
