Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott discusses preparations for the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday in Orchard Park. (Courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)
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00:00Alright, I'll give you the injuries
00:03Okay, so Keon will not make this game. He'll be out will not practice today
00:09Also not practicing Dalton Kincaid and Spencer Brown. We'll see how the week goes for both of those guys
00:16And then limits
00:18Limited today will be Matt Milano as I mentioned the other day
00:23We're gonna open up his window to practice
00:25He will not play this week as it's scheduled right now, and then Amari Cooper will be limited today
00:33Also, and we'll see how his week unfolds
00:37Yes
00:43Right
00:55Yeah, again, I just listened to Nate our trainer with all these guys and he just updates me one day at a time and
01:08With where we're at. I think that's the best way to go about it
01:16Well, I think he's always been you know elite
01:21and
01:23I mean just continues to get better and better and
01:26you know, he's won and
01:29won multiple championships now and
01:32Certainly have a ton of respect for his game and the way he leads that football team
01:40It's the Chiefs I mean, I know the outside certainly is making it bigger than just a normal game
01:46Is there any part of you that would maybe find it a benefit to look at this as an elevated sort of?
01:53regular season affair
01:54Yeah
01:55I think you know more than anything we focus on what we focus on and our controls or our
02:01Things that we can control like we don't
02:04Focus on things we can't control
02:07You know, we certainly understand the situation and respect it
02:11to good teams
02:13and
02:14The most important thing we can be is consistent with our preparation and that's really the main thing that's within our control and you know
02:22Having this practice today
02:24Which is a Wednesday for us
02:28I'm sorry
02:34We get to our ninth win
02:38You know quite honestly that's what we're focused on is trying to play our best ball trying to even before that is prepare the way
02:44we need to prepare and
02:47You know because if you don't do that you got no chance against a team like this in particular
02:50so we're just trying to control the things we can and
02:53you know the big thing that's within our control is our preparation and
02:58Getting the rest we need to get and and getting the nutrition
03:01we need to have this week as these guys go into the game and
03:05You know, we're looking forward to it. It's a big challenge and we're looking forward to it
03:08The Chiefs have shown a lot this season the ability to stay in games even when they're trailing and come back late. What kind of challenge is that knowing you're going against a team that's had a lot of success this season coming back late?
03:18Yeah, I mean they're they've got a tremendous amount of poise. I think I mentioned this on Monday's call
03:23You know, you know tremendous amount of poise composure they've been
03:29You know to where many teams are trying to get to multiple times now, so
03:34I'm sure that's where some of the composure and poise comes from and then this year with winning the ways that they've been able to win
03:41Coming from behind, you know, you know having a lead in that opening up the lead. So they've won just about every way you could win
03:48So their run defense has been outstanding all year. Can you pinpoint exactly what's what's happening?
03:55Why teams can't run against the Chiefs?
03:57You know, they do a lot. They coach Spags does a great job along with their defensive staff
04:01I know quite a few of those guys and
04:04They do such a great job
04:06they've certainly got good personnel and
04:09You know, they create a lot of chaos around the line of scrimmage by some of the things that they do
04:14And then obviously Chris Jones is a big force up front
04:18For what they're trying to get done
04:20I know you coaches and players don't take it for granted when a field goal or an extra point happens
04:25I think a lot of fans might when you see a play like last week to end the game and how they went after
04:30Does that put a little more attention to detail to show your film room and hey, this is how important these plays are in a game
04:37Yeah, I mean
04:39You know you see us practice it
04:41I'm sure every teams like us you practice it out there and sometimes people look at it as a break in between
04:46you know team team periods right and
04:48The amount of detail the amount of urgency that needs to be present in those moments is huge as you as you're discussing so
04:56that was a huge play obviously in the game and
04:59You know something that we can learn from as well and be reminded of that
05:04If you don't if you don't take it seriously, you're not urgent. You're not focused on being where your feet are on Wednesday afternoon
05:10It'll show up on I'm not saying that's the reason for them, but I'm just saying overall
05:14You know even fundamentals, you know making sure we're doing things right fundamentally in practice because it carries over the game
05:30I've seen I've seen a few of them. I think John what do you want me to say about him?
05:34I
05:39Am sure behind the scenes he's that way but for him to show his personality publicly like that
05:48Well for so long I think people
05:50The public the outside public only saw one side of him to your point where when you work with
05:56With him like I did for 12 plus years you get a chance to see
06:00You know the real personality as you mentioned so I think that's it's good to see after all the year
06:06You know years and the success that he's had have the success that he's had
06:09Number one because he's worked extremely hard to get there
06:12and he's made a lot of sacrifices just like we all have but
06:16You know, it's fine. It's fun to see his true personality come out for the whole public to see
06:30Mentors is kind of stood in your way of achieving an ultimate goal
06:37Yeah, I mean he's a great coach he'll be a Hall of Fame all the fame
06:42coach he already is really even though he's you know, not retired yet, but
06:47You know, it's listen
06:49There's always somebody that you're trying to trying to get past right to accomplish the goal that you want to accomplish
06:54So I don't care what walk of life you're in or what sport you're you know, you're in or whatever it is
07:00It's there's always a challenge in front of it. It's just who that challenge is and and this week for us. It's the Kansas City Chiefs
07:15Yeah a good player, you know, I mean whatever his role whatever he's asked to do
07:20Mac embraces it and gives it as all which I have a ton of respect for an admiration for it's
07:28You know, you don't you don't see that all the time right whether you know, he's the first wide receiver
07:36X wide receiver
07:39Special teams you name it
07:42He's gonna put everything he's got into it. So again the amount of appreciation the amount of respect
07:49that I have that his teammates have for him is
07:52Because of that's how that's that's how he handles his business every day and that consistency as we talk about consistency is
08:00develops trust and respect
08:11Well
08:13I mean you talk about a guy that's been on a journey right two years now of going through what he's gone through and
08:19it's just amazing to watch his
08:24Resilient nature right? He's so resilient. He's persistent
08:30He's got a goal and he's worked his butt off to get back to where he's at and so this will be the first
08:37you know practice he's had in quite some time and I
08:41mean I
08:43Don't even know right and I know him rather. Well, I don't even know what really he's been through over the last two years
08:49and so I think that just speaks to the type of person he is how
08:55Driven he is and and you know and trying to pursue the goals that he has as an individual and as it and for us
09:00As a team as well. I mean, he's a as much of a team player as as we have so
09:06Just a great guy to have on board
09:09Presence
09:15Yeah, I mean it's it's also why you know this year has been a little bit different than last year when he had the injury
09:20Last year, he wasn't really able to be he was around but just not as much as this year
09:25and that
09:27Influence daily has been to me good for us good for the linebacker room
09:33and
09:34And maybe good for Matt too and his mental health. So as he's worked his way back, so I think it's
09:39It's been beneficial for everyone
09:45Yeah, good on third down they're methodical how do you as a defense get them off the field I
09:53Think that's the question. I think that's the question. Everyone's trying to solve but hasn't been able to
09:59They're just they're just really good. You know, so I mean I'm not gonna get into strategy here
10:03but
10:05You know
10:06It's it's a hard code to code to crack as as everyone knows all the teams that they played to this point the teams that
10:12They played last year in the playoffs us being one of them
10:15They're extremely well coached. They adjust through the course of a game
10:20They execute at a high level
10:23so
10:25You know again, that's you can only control so much right? We can't control what they do or don't do
10:30We got to focus on making sure that we're ready to play and that starts with
10:34If it didn't already start by today, then it starts with today in the urgency. We have to have today
10:52Well, I think he leads by example with that and
10:55I
10:58Think that
10:59More than anything. He I think I think players athletes crave that to just some some form of normalcy
11:06they don't live quote-unquote sometimes normal lives and and so that normalcy is
11:14Sometimes welcomed day in and day out so
11:18That's how we do it here. Everyone's different but
11:22We've you know, really since day one this year. We've started with
11:26a certain mindset that we feel like is is powerful for us and and
11:32And the important thing now is to stay consistent with it
11:38Can you talk about and we know his importance to your defense
11:41But what he's fought through this year with injuries and staying on the field and the importance and and having him out this weekend
11:48On the field again against this team. No last year in the playoff if I remember correctly
11:52He was close to playing
11:55And I think you know, it was one of those deals, you know TV's he he wears his heart on his sleeve
12:00And he plays with his heart
12:02He was he was pretty emotional about not being able to play not not being able to be out there with his teammates
12:11And so it's always good to have him out there number one I'll start there but two is
12:17you know, it's it's just it's a
12:20It's a new experience when you have him play he's played against the Chiefs, but but not multiple times like some so
12:27But it's good to have him out. There. He's a big-time leader for us on our team and our defense for certain and
12:33He's just like a quarterback on the field for us
12:38Yeah, really good player
12:40you know, I thought was a smart move by them at the at the deadline or close to the deadline there and
12:44You know the thing I know about Andy and Brett Beach is they're never gonna just sit Pat, you know
12:49I mean, they're always trying to like we are improve our roster and improve every way we can in our football and our football team
12:56so
12:58You know, I kind of wasn't surprised by it
13:00You know to add those two
13:08You know, I don't know I mean, you know you look at it and say it's it's usually not about one player
13:12But there's certainly both good players. So it does it does factor in
13:18So, you know DeAndre certainly been a
13:23You know, he's been a great guy and
13:26You know, it's been really great to work with him
13:28De'Andre's certainly been an elite player, as has Amari.
13:32So we'll see if we can get Amari this week.
13:34We'll see where that goes.
13:36And it certainly adds to their offensive weaponry.
13:40You said the other day that people
13:42like watching good quarterbacks.
13:43In a game like this, you've got Josh and Eli
13:45matching the homes.
13:46What's it been like from your vantage point,
13:48watching those two guys go at it?
13:50Yeah, really fascinating to watch.
13:53I mean, when you think about the different matchups,
13:55the multiple matchups, I think I counted the other day,
13:59there's been, what is this, seven, eight,
14:02something like that.
14:03I mean, that's a little bit unusual when we're not
14:05in the same division as well.
14:08But sometimes, you come across interactions
14:12like that through scheduling, but also then playoffs
14:16and things.
14:17And so I think it's been great for the league.
14:19I think it's great for the fans to be
14:21able to watch these two elite quarterbacks go at it,
14:24even though they're not really playing against each other,
14:27as everyone likes to make it out to be.
14:30And I think, and I don't know, but I
14:32feel like they both have a ton of respect for one
14:35another in their game, which is also cool to see.
14:39Take two more, please.
14:40There was a playoff game here last year,
14:42but first time since 2020 to have a regular season
14:44Billas-Chiefs game in Orchard Park.
14:46What is that like in having the game here,
14:49as opposed to in Kansas City this year?
14:51Yeah, I mean, you play where the schedule takes you.
14:54That's what you do.
14:56We're always thankful to be able to play at home.
14:58I feel like we've been on the road quite a bit this year
15:01to this point.
15:02You guys probably feel the same.
15:04But we don't take that for granted.
15:06We've got to make sure we put in our work.
15:08And at the same time, we get a chance
15:11to be in front of our fans.
15:13But our fans also travel anywhere and everywhere we go,
15:15whether it's London or last week to Indianapolis or beyond.
15:19So we're certainly grateful for that.
15:21I know you're probably taking it one day at a time
15:23with Spencer.
15:24And I want to thank you.
15:25Sorry if I didn't answer this, but what's
15:27the outlook for him this week?
15:28And are you hopeful that he can practice and sleep well?
15:31I am.
15:32I'm hopeful.
15:33I just don't know yet.
15:36But he's out today.
15:38And that's all I know.
15:39So what Nate does is he'll update me tonight and update us.
15:42And then we go from there.