Fanbases often look at the coaching staff when a team is not performing. With the Bills at 6-6 a year ago, Ken Dorsey freshly fired, and McDermott’s 9/11 story being resurfaced, there was legitimate concern about the future of the Bills coaching staff. Fast forward a year, Sean McDermott and his staff have been one of, if not the best staff in the league.
Since being at 6-6 last November, the Bills have gone a league-best 15-3 and have a point differential of +156. It doesn’t get much better than that in a league that is week to week.
McDermott’s masterclass has continued for a majority of this season. In a year where it looked like the Bills were “retooling”, Buffalo finds themself at 9-2, a game back of the #1 seed, and can clinch the AFC East by Christmas time.
The Bills’ offense is in the top half of the league in every yard per game stat and is third in points per game (29.1). McDermott and Bobby Babich’s defense is ninth in the league in points per game allowed (19.5), tied for first in takeaways (21), and leads the NFL in turnover differential (+14). It should also be noted that the staff has been excellent with mid-game adjustments as they have a +98-point differential after the first quarter.
The Bills have done all this with the 11th hardest strength-of-schedule, injuries to key players, and a complete roster turnaround since last season.
The Bills should expect Matt Milano, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, and DeWayne Carter all to return in weeks after the bye. If Buffalo can continue to ride the momentum, they can be very dangerous come playoffs.
After all, playoffs are when it counts. McDermott-led teams have been regular-season warriors for the last five years but have not gotten over the hump. All is for not if this team comes up short once again. That is where McDermott and company have received criticism in the past.
For now though, McDermott and his staff deserve credit for the masterclass they have done through 11 weeks.