Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, October 22, 2023
SM: We fell short today, plain and simple. We failed to execute and put ourselves in the right positions. Defensively, I must take responsibility for not putting my team in the best position to succeed. We lacked complementary football and made too many mistakes. The first half was especially challenging, with two short fields resulting in 10 points for our opponents. Our offense made an interception on the first play, and their punt return gave them good field position for another 10 points. Additionally, our defense allowed too many yards on first down, failing to create enough third and long situations to disrupt the opposing quarterback. Their running game controlled the line of scrimmage early on, but we made adjustments that paid off. However, we struggled in the red zone offensively, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. We need to eliminate self-inflicted errors and convert in those crucial moments. Ultimately, it’s on me to close out games, and I need to do a better job of that. We must improve our tackling fundamentals on defense, and it starts with me. Now, I’ll open it up to your questions.
Q: Over the last three games, you guys have a total of 10 points in the first half. Have you been able to put your finger on anything for the slow start here?
SM: I wish I had a definitive answer for that. We discuss it extensively, emphasizing attention to detail, finding an early rhythm, and playing complementary football across all three phases. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to establish a good rhythm, especially in the first quarter. We need to find the solutions to this issue.
Q: Sean, the offense does get you the lead there late under two minutes. Defensively, to not be able to hold them in that situation, what’s the collective frustration level there with them being able to get down the field in that amount of time?
SM: The first play in that situation was critical. They threw a screen pass against our four-under, three-deep defense, and we failed to leverage the formation and make the necessary tackle. They gained 32 to 34 yards on that play, which put them in a favorable position to score. It’s unacceptable to allow such a big gain. They had enough time and timeouts to run different offensive plays, and we must do a better job of preventing that from happening.
Q: Sean, despite the struggles in all three areas today, is your confidence level in this locker room still really high that they can really correct things quickly?
SM: Yes, my confidence remains high in our players and coaching staff. Today, our opponents were able to control the game by putting us in difficult third-and-long situations and disrupting our offensive rhythm. However, I believe in the ability of our team to address these challenges and make the necessary corrections.
Q: Von Miller is three games back now and has yet to make a significant impact. Is he where you expected him to be at this point?
SM: We need to manage our expectations regarding Von. He suffered an ACL injury around Thanksgiving last year, and it takes time to fully recover. We must be realistic and patient with his progress.
Q: Do you feel that you are currently at a crossroads and need to find answers to your struggles?
SM: We definitely need to address the reasons behind our setbacks. Whether it’s the slow starts in the first half or self-inflicted errors, such as missed field goals, we need to overcome these obstacles. We’re beating ourselves in some situations and failing to synchronize all three phases of the game to gain control. The goal is to create a lead and force the opponent into a one-dimensional offense. Despite the disappointing outcome, we’ll keep working to figure it out, make plays, and put our players in positions to succeed.
Q: The kicking game started strong this season but has struggled recently. What do you think caused these inconsistencies?
SM: Ultimately, it comes down to not being good enough. We’ve missed kicks in the last couple of games, and our return coverage has also been an issue this season. We need to address these problems and find ways to improve.
Q: What does being in rhythm look like for you, and do you need to be more involved on offense?
SM: Being in rhythm starts with staying on schedule and winning first down to maintain momentum and move the chains. Our opponents executed this effectively today, avoiding third-and-long situations and playing a two-dimensional offense. We found ourselves in too many off-schedule situations. As the head coach, I oversee all three phases of the game and maintain communication with the offense and special teams. We will continue working together to find answers and establish that rhythm.
Q: Bringing in Tyrel Dodson for Dorian Williams late in the second quarter and keeping him in after halftime, what was the reasoning behind that decision?
SM: We made that decision to address some defensive breakdowns at that position. We wanted to stabilize the situation and bring some calmness to the defense.
Q: Going forward, does Dorian still have your confidence despite the change?
SM: Absolutely, I have tremendous confidence in Dorian. We will evaluate the situation, but I believe in his abilities.
Q: What did you see out of Dalton Kincaid today?
SM: I don’t have the exact stats, but it seemed like he was more involved in the offense, especially over the middle against both man and zone defenses. I was pleased to see that, and we need to continue utilizing his abilities in the passing game.
Q: You often talk about earning the right to win. What do you think needs to be done differently to achieve that?
SM: We need to eliminate self-inflicted errors, such as missed field goals, and ensure that all three phases of the game are working cohesively. It’s crucial to control the game and force the opponent into a one-dimensional offense. We will continue seeking solutions, making plays, and positioning our players for success.
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