Following their big, emotional win against the Detroit Lions head coach Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills are not overlooking their Week 16 game against the 3-11 New England Patriots.
"We respect this football team and I think Coach (Jerod) Mayo is doing a great job," McDermott said before Wednesday's walkthrough practice.
Although the Patriots sit at the bottom of the AFC East, the Bills are not overlooking this team as seven of the games they have lost have been within one score.
"Their record could easily be flipped," S Cole Bishop said. "You just got to prepare as if they're undefeated. I mean, you're preparing every week the same."
After practice QB Josh Allen spoke about Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye and said that he thinks he will be good for a long time.
"He's making some unbelievable plays, you know, extending in from the pocket, and I got a lot of respect for him and his game," Allen said.
Allen also spoke about their defense and the challenges that they will present for this offense. "They play hard, and they've been a lot of one score games this year that could have easily gone their way," Allen said. "So first and foremost, we got to have a good week of practice and put our best foot forward on the field on Sunday."
Multiple players spoke on the challenges that Maye presents due to his ability to make plays with DE Greg Rousseau specifically pointing out his legs as being "real dangerous." DE Von Miller also added that he is a fan of Mayo as their head coach.
"They present a lot of challenges," DE Von Miller said. "They lost seven games within one score or less. They've been battling all year long… I'm a fan of the head coach as well… We got to be on our A-game, just like you have to do each and every week in a National Football League."
While they will be prepared for the Patriots on Sunday, they did acknowledge that it was odd to not have seen the Patriots until this late in the season and that it will make for an interesting end to the season having to see them twice to end the season.
"Definitely weird, it didn't click for me until, like, two weeks ago," RG O'Cyrus Torrence said. "I realized we're playing them two times in three weeks… I feel like we're gonna play them, probably back-to-back… It's definitely gonna be an interesting last three weeks of the season."
'I don't have any comparisons'
The vibe in the Buffalo Bills locker room is like none other. DE Von Miller, who has won two Super Bowls, said that he is living in the moment with this team and that he can not even compare it to any of the other teams that he has played on.
"This is totally different than any other team that I've been on. I would love to compare it to the Super Bowl 56 team or the Super Bowl 50 team but I really can't," Miller said. "I'm trying to stay present and get the most out of each and every day… I don't have any comparisons. This year has been so special and so dope I just want to do my role to contribute to us winning games."
Allen credited the team being as loose as they are at this point of the season to having a playoff spot locked up and having a smile on his face when he walks into the building.
"Making sure I'm coming to this building, having a smile on my face when everybody sees me," Allen said. "I'm making sure I say hello and dap them up and let them know how much I love being here, because I think it is infectious."
Hyde even noticed through the television before he returned to Buffalo how much fun the team was having and specifically Allen.
"I can tell even not being here watching on TV, his demeanor, and how he approaches the game," Hyde said. "You reach a time in your career where you don't really care about anything outside of what the task is, and each and every game, and he's going out there and he's executing, the game plan. No question for me, MVP season… from watching at home and watching on the sideline, just forever amazed at what he does on the football field."
The Bills QB was awarded with the NVP (Nickelodeon Valuable Player) this week and was all smiles as he unboxed the award with help from his offensive line.
"Just making sure that I'm being me and only me, and I think that's the only thing I ever want to be. And I think that's one of the main things of being a leader, is making sure that you know who you are," Allen said.
'Playing faster, playing more free'
Much of the talk after practice had to do with rookie S Cole Bishop's performance on Sunday afternoon. Sunday marked the second game that Bishop started this season and he said that on Sunday he was able to play more free than he did in his first start against the Texans.
"Just playing faster, playing more free," Bishop said. "Just being a little bit more hesitant because, first game things. So it will learn from that. Just keep trying to play fast."
Bishop spoke on the relationship that he has with DB Cam Lewis and how they have helped each other both on defense and on special teams.
"Me and Cam are, good friends. Obviously we're on special teams… Being able to get out there, it's pretty cool," Bishop said.
S Micah Hyde also spoke on both players after practice saying that he watches film with Bishop to try and get him to see the game the way that he does.
"There's a few things that, obviously, he did very well in the game. Pat him on the back, 'Got them guys, good job. Keep making those plays,'" Hyde said. "But the end of the day, the plays that you didn't make, how can we get you close to the football? How can we improve? And so that's just where I'm at… I'm gonna continue to try to help you."
Hyde said that he is able to relate to Lewis and the role he plays in this defense as it was the role that he played when he played for the Green Bay Packers. McDermott described it as "position flexibility."
"To be able to move players around that have the mental capabilities and the physical capabilities to do that is important for our team," McDermott said.
Injury Report
- Limited: CB Rasul Douglas (Knee), S Damar Hamlin (Rib), LB Matt Milano (Biceps/Groin), S Taylor Rapp (Neck), WR Curtis Samuel (Rib), LB Dorian Williams (Elbow)
- Full: RT Spencer Brown (Neck), DT DeWayne Carter (Wrist), WR Amari Cooper (Wrist), TE Dalton Kincaid (Knee), TE Quintin Morris (Shoulder/Groin), DE Dawuane Smoot (Wrist)
