Fresh off of their 31-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Bills sit at 6-2 through eight weeks of the season. They returned to practice on Wednesday as they prepare for a divisional matchup against the Miami Dolphins who saw QB Tua Tagovailoa return this past week.
"I think Coach McDaniel does a great job of putting them into great positions so they're very tough," McDermott said.
'I love those guys, and they love us right back'
Coming into the 2024 regular season, much like the rest of the roster, the Bills offensive line saw changes. C Connor McGovern moved from left guard to center and LG David Edwards was elevated to the starting left guard.
Through eight games, this group has played every game together and have continued to gel from the offseason into the season.
"I think all five of those guys together, it's a great room that we have top to bottom," offensive coordinator Joe Brady said on Monday.
Of starting quarterbacks, Josh Allen is one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. Through eight games, the Bills quarterback has been sacked only 10 times. This is the fewest number of sacks that a Bills offensive line has given up since the 2011 season.
Allen expressed his love for the line and the work that they have done so far.
"It's a very smart group," Allen said. "They communicate very well. They work very well together. We're doing really good things in the run game and the pass protection game right now. But honestly, they care so much. They care about me. They care about our running backs. They're following the ball. They're picking guys up off the ground. It's as solid and as good as a group I've ever been around. I love those guys, and they love us right back. And it shows in how they play the game."
McDermott also praised the offensive line's performance through the midway point of the season.
"I think they're doing a really good job, I really do," McDermott. "I think we've got five guys up there that are all reading the same book week to week, play to play, and that's important. The communication that takes place on the practice field in the meeting room with coach Kromer and coach Gund and Millie in there as well it's really one voice but it's a consistent message across the board which is important."
Preparing for the Miami Dolphins
For the second time this season, the Bills will face the Miami Dolphins. When they saw the Dolphins in week two, the Bills ran their way to a victory, winning 31-10.
"They're a great defense," WR Khalil Shakir said. "They're physical. They fly around to the football. Great players. Their secondary- you got Ramsey over there… we have to make sure that we put our heads down and grind this week and then go out there and play our best football."
Both teams look different than when they last saw each other. The Dolphins had lost QB Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion in the third quarter of their previous game against the Bills and the Bills were without their starting NCB Taron Johnson.
"Obviously getting their quarterback Tua back helps," Allen said. "They've got some real, real playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. I know their record doesn't indicate it, but they're playing really good football right now. So, we got to be ready for whatever they can throw at us. Got to have a good week of practice and again, make adjustments in game and go from there."
To McDermott, Tagovailoa's return means that the Dolphins' offense will bring explosiveness with them to Buffalo.
"I think they're back to being that offense that we know and so explosive, so dynamic, so potent in what they do and how they do things," McDermott said.
Despite their record, the overall conversation from the locker room is that they are prepared for what the Dolphins bring.
"Having Tua back is great for them," EDGE A.J. Epenesa said. "They kind of reopen their playbook. They have a lot of timing and things that they work on very well. And he's kind of their key guy, where all their timing goes through him."
"We better show up to play because they're a talented team."
Von Miller's returns from suspension
Following his four-game suspension, EDGE Von Miller returned to practice on Wednesday. His teammates were happy to see the 13-year veteran edge rusher back on the practice field.
"We've missed him, for sure," EDGE Greg Rousseau said. "Von's a great player. Great dude. Miss having him back out there on the field during practice, being able to chop it up with him. It's pretty cool."
"It's huge when you saw what he was doing the beginning of the season," CB Taron Johnson. "So, it's just good to have a guy like that on our team."
Miller was able to return to the facility following the first two weeks of his suspension. Looking optimistically, he said that he was able to use this time to get fully healthy and recover.
"I honestly feel like I'm in better shape than I was when I left," Miller said. "I'd rather just be at practice. But the conditioning is more effective, like just running and just focusing on that. And the football stuff will come."
Miller added that he is confident in his ability to play on Sunday after the practice ramp up this week.
"We'll be in pads tomorrow, so I have another test with that," Miller said. "But I've been playing football my whole entire life. There's no way I can replicate those game moments or anything like that, but I'll be good to go on a Sunday."
Injury Report
- Did not participate: OL Alec Anderson (Personal)
- Limited: LB Terrel Bernard (Ankle/Pectoral), WR Amari Cooper (Wrist), FB Reggie Gilliam (Hip), WR Curtis Samuel (Pectoral)
Scroll to see the best photos from Wednesday's practice as the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Miami Dolphins.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike Edwards (21). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike White (14), Josh Allen (17), Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Marcus West. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17)Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
DaQuan Jones (92), Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Zion Logue (97). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Edwards, Eli Ankou (51), Zion Logue (97), DaQuan Jones (92), Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17)James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kareem Jackson (27). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mike Edwards (21). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Lewis Cine (36). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jalen Virgil (89). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Nick Morrow (32). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Marcus West. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0), Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40), Marcus West. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taylor Rapp (9), Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Lewis Cine (36). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Mack Hollins (13), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Nick Morrow (32). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Ryan Van Demark (74), Spencer Brown (79), O'Cyrus Torrence (64), Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reggie Gilliam (41), Dalton Kincaid (86), Tommy Doyle (72). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0), Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kameron Cline (96), Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kameron Cline (96), Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 9 practice, October 30, 2024 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
