This is the head coach the Buffalo Bills have always been waiting for.
Sean McDermott is fired up entering Sunday morning. Then again, he well should be. As should the rest of the Buffalo Bills and the legendary Bills mafia.
The Bills improved to 11-3 on the season in a 49-19 victory over the Denver Broncos. With the win, Buffalo returns to the postseason for the third time in four years under McDermott’s regime. This time though, it’s as AFC East champions.
For years, the Bills fanbase has been scorned by mediocrity in the front office and poor coaching on the field. Quarterback play has been unwatchable and draft picks end up going to waste.
With Brandon Beane and McDermott, that path has changed. And one second into McDermott’s postgame speech will have Bills’ fans ready to run through a wall for their coach.
This. This is the voice of a man who wants to be here for Buffalo. Not just now, but well into the future.
It’s been 25 years in the making
In 1995, the Bills claimed the AFC East title with Jim Kelly calling the shots. It’d be the last time they’d be divisional champs until Saturday night.
To put it into perspective, Josh Allen, the team’s franchise quarterback, was still three months from being born.
Allen, who has earned the right for a new contract in the coming months, put the team on his shoulders once again. The third-year man out of Wyoming threw for 359 yards and scored four times, two coming with his legs.
The 25-year division title drought was the third-longest in the NFL entering the season. It’s another feat put on by Beane and McDermott under the new tenure of the Pegula family.
Both McDermott and Beane were rewarded with contract extensions this season after quality drafts and stellar on the field. Here’s hoping for more memories like this.
Beane’s offseason addition of Stefon Diggs has been essential for Allen’s development. Once again, the former Viking put on a show, hauling in 11 catches for 147 yards. Despite not finding the end zone, Diggs has now found his way to the top of the stat line in receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,314).
The Bills will celebrate tonight like it’s 1995. They’re far from done this postseason and should give the Kansas City Chiefs a ride.
Best of all, they have the right coach to lead the way.