Upon further reflection, I think McDermott showed some growth and made a great situational call to run Josh from the shotgun on 3rd and Goal at the end of the game. Here’s why:
1) 4th Down was going to be a FG attempt no matter what because you go up +8 there and not give the ball back to an offense that was having success only up +5.
2) Don’t pass: you have 3 possible outcomes (TD, incompletion, interception) and 2/3 are bad because either the clock stops or there is a turnover.
3) Tush Push was unlikely to get us 2 whole yards.
4) Keep the ball in Josh’s hands and give him the chance to catch the Ravens off guard and look for a hole.
My only qualm is that MAYBE he should have challenged the spot.
But other than that I feel like McDermott made the best possible call in a critical moment, and that looks like growth to me.
I have lamented on this message board a number of times that the Bills are always “good but not great”, especially McDermott. But seeing him make what I think was the best call tonight in a pressure cooker gives me a bit of hope that he is growing.
Can’t wait to test that hypothesis with two more games!
Go Bills!