ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Even though some guys might downplay the significance of this game against the Patriots, they still understand what a win over this team means to Bills Mafia.
The Bills have accomplished a number of things in the short time that Sean McDermott has been head coach. They broke the playoff drought, won big, primetime games and clinched the team's second postseason berth in three years. And this time they did it all on their own without help from other teams.
But one thing on their list they haven't done yet under McDermott is beat the Patriots, something they have an opportunity to do on Saturday in Foxboro.
"We expect to win number one, every week. That's just part of the mindset that we've tried to establish here. With respect to the Patriots, we respect every opponent. So, I'm going to get that out first and foremost. They've been well established in this division for a long time and across the NFL for the obvious reasons there. What's important for us is we continue to take steps as an organization and as a football team, and will continue to do that. It's important that we continue to work on our quality of play and our fundamentals, the way we play, the way we take care of the football and so we go from there," Sean McDermott said.
The fact that the division title is still up for grabs makes this game that much more important. And sure guys might say it's a big game because it's "the next game" but they acknowledge this is something fans have been waiting for for a long time.
"Since I first got here before I even played my first game, I think I was sitting at Buffalo Wild Wings, and I was by myself and I was eating and the Patriots were on. And I think it was a Thursday night and just a random guy just came up to me and said, “You’ve got to beat these guys.” And this is 2017. So, back then I didn't know how big of a deal it was. But now I know. So, it definitely will be a big, big deal for us to get a win for the fans too. So, I know they're waiting on it. It's been a long time," Tre'Davious White explained.
The Bills haven't won the AFC East since 1995 mostly because of Tom Brady. Ever since he became the Patriots starter in 2001, New England has won the division all but two years.
"I think it's just another game for us. I say that each and every week and we're trying to go 1-0 each week, we're not trying to do anything different. We know that it's a division rival, it’s a team that's won the AFC East for numerous years now, a team that everybody kind of looks upon as the standard of what you want in football. So, it's definitely it's definitely, maybe an aiming point for some of the fans and milestone for some of the fans, but to us it's our next game and I think they've looked at it the same way. So, there's no need to change anything what we're doing. We got to go out there and execute and play some good football," Josh Allen said.
This would be a huge step for the Bills as they attempt to turn the tide in the division. New England still has one of the best defenses in the league so Josh Allen will have his hands full again, but this might be one of their best chances to beat this team given the struggles New England's offense has faced this year going against a Bills defense that's one of the best in the NFL as well.
