Heading into Week 14's Sunday Night Football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Orchard Park, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has his team in position to inch closer to clinching an AFC East title for the first time since 1995.
With a win on Sunday, the Bills would improve to 10-3 on the 2020 season, which would be the earliest the team has earned its 10th win of a season since 1991. That year saw Buffalo earn a 41-27 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 12 to improve to 10-1 on the season, en route to a 13-3 finish and an appearance in Super Bowl XXVI against the, then, Washington Redskins.
The Bills also have a chance to set themselves up for a potential playoff berth in Week 14 with a win, the earliest they have accomplished such a feat also since 1991.
Here is what else the Bills need this week in order to clinch a playoff berth:
- Sunday, Dec. 13: Miami Dolphins (8-4) lose vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
- Sunday, Dec. 13: Las Vegas Raiders (7-5) lose vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
- Monday, Dec. 14: Baltimore Ravens (7-5) lose at Cleveland Browns (9-3)
The Bills also needed a New England Patriots loss or tie on Thursday, which they got thanks to a 24-3 win by the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Southern California.
As for the Steelers, they come in to Sunday night's meeting after suffering their first loss of the 2020 campaign last Monday, 23-17, at the hands of the Washington Football Team. They will be looking to bounce back in a big way from the disappointing loss, after squandering a 14-3 lead at halftime.
This contest on Sunday night has been slotted, by many, to be the game of the week in the National Football League. For the Bills, this game may be a chance for them to prove their doubters wrong, in terms of being a true contender in the AFC with the likes of the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.
McDermott took the time on Friday to join Howard Simon and Jeremy White for his weekly appearance on Buffalo Bills Football Friday. He talked about the upcoming matchup with the Steelers on Sunday night, Josh Allen's performance last Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, and more.
Here is some of what he had to say:
McDermott on Brandon Beane signing his contract extension with the Bills:
"Really fired up about that. I think it's well-documented on how I feel about Brandon, in terms of his ability and the job that he's done since he's come here to Buffalo. I think it's evident with the change in the roster. And then I'm certainly appreciative of Terry and Kim [Pegula] and their commitment to both of us."
McDermott on what makes Beane as good as he's been as general manager:
"Well he's extremely smart and methodical in his approach, and I believe he's a great communicator and has a good way with people. I think that goes a long way in a job like that, really in a leadership position in general. Just has a nice way about him, yet he understands that it's a business and that we have to get the results that we have to get."
McDermott on Allen's performance on Monday night against the 49ers:
"It's another step, where in a game like that he did seem very at ease and very calm within the storm that is a game like that, and football in general. I think that more than anything it's a mental step, and that's critical to his development and our football team's maturity. When you see the team kind of go as he goes, and when he's calm and playing the way he was playing, I think the entire team feels that and feeds off of that."
McDermott on the impact of going up against T.J. Watt:
"Those type of players that can play at that level can wreck game plans. Cam Heyward, as well. I've watched plenty of games of the Steelers, in particular the Steelers defense, where those two players have wrecked havoc on game plans and affected the outcome of games."
McDermott on facing Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense:
"[They have] a lot of weapons, particularly on the perimeter of the offense, and you can add the tight end position to that with [Eric] Ebron. I think Ben is playing at a reay high level. He plays hurt, he plays when he's healthy at all the same level. This is a very talented offense. Getting [Maurkice] Pouncey back and James Conner now in the backfield; they're going to be at their best, and I'm sure they'll be ready. They're well coached by Mike Tomlin. ... We're going to get their best, and we've got to be ready."
You can listen to the entire interview below: