Kneel Down Game: Final Nail in McD’s Coach Coffin

[All_Pro_Bills]

2 minutes ago, Pete said:

Herm Edwards.  I stand corrected. The quote sticks with me more than the source.  You have seemed to miss the point entirely though.

 

”You play to win the game”. Not Sean

 

 

I think a problem is McDermott actually believes he's making the correct calls to win the game but fails to acknowledge that experience demonstrates his end of game strategy is flawed.  And after each failure he's invoking the excuse of 20-20 hindsight somehow believing each loss that results from his insistence on doing it a certain way is a unique game time situation rather than just another example of the same pattern of blowing the lead.  

 

The message I get from these Sunday night or Monday morning press conferences is "its not my fault" and somebody else, either some other coach or the players screwed up.  So next time we're in the same type of end game situations he's going to call it exactly the same and WHEN they lose, well hindsight is 20-20 and we need to get it right next time.  If Pegula wants to waste another year or two of his life and those of the players and the fans hanging on to the hope the light is going to go on in Sean's head at some point and the team's fortunes in holding late leads is going to change then good luck to our owner and God have mercy on the rest of us!   

 

 

 

 

[JerseyBills]

2 hours ago, BillMafia716ix said:

I’m not upset about it either. Josh had already threw a costly interception to give Philly the lead. Then on the very next drive..he almost threw another interception that the defender dropped. Then just two weeks prior he threw a INT right before halftime vs. Denver. No doubt all that was going through McDermott’s mind..that’s why he kneeled it. 

Exactly..

Under better conditions or in a dome I'd say go for it but getting into fg range, even with 2 t.os is unlikely, and we'd likely need to get inside the 40 for Bass, defense just held them to a miracle fg, I have no issue playing it safe in that specific scenario 

Edited November 29, 2023 by JerseyBills

[longtimebillsfan]

11 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

They can't help it!

 

SOMEONE MUST TAKE THE BLAME FOR NOT WINNING AN SB!!   

I WANT MY MAYPO!!!!

I WANT IT NOW!!!

 

It really is ridiculous how much crap this man takes for building one of the best teams in the NFL. All the injuries last season and now this season to the defense and yet it wasn't the defense that was the problem this year. McD fired the problem in Ken Dorsey and that guy was one his QB Josh Allen endorsed...so he needed to be certain. The defensive problem for the 13 seconds is also now gone. 

 

Look at what just happened in the last Buffalo Bills game. They took the NFC Champion to OT and lost because of a few mistakes and bad referee calls. Buffalo should have won that game.

 

This fan base needs to relax and stop needing to blame the coaches or GM.

It is refreshing to read a senseable and logical viewpoint.

 

Thank you for bring back a reasonable viewpoint to TBD.

 

These posters with pitchforks and a mob mentally that have high jacked TBD has grown tiresome. 

[BBFL]

59 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

They can't help it!

 

SOMEONE MUST TAKE THE BLAME FOR NOT WINNING AN SB!!   

I WANT MY MAYPO!!!!

I WANT IT NOW!!!

 

It really is ridiculous how much crap this man takes for building one of the best teams in the NFL. All the injuries last season and now this season to the defense and yet it wasn't the defense that was the problem this year. McD fired the problem in Ken Dorsey and that guy was one his QB Josh Allen endorsed...so he needed to be certain. The defensive problem for the 13 seconds is also now gone. 

 

Look at what just happened in the last Buffalo Bills game. They took the NFC Champion to OT and lost because of a few mistakes and bad referee calls. Buffalo should have won that game.

 

This fan base needs to relax and stop needing to blame the coaches or GM.

You’re missing the point with most fans and posters sentiments…

 

No one is piling it on him for the roster and players he has. It’s what he’s done with it is where the problem lays. 
 

Mistakes like a drop, missed tackle or bonehead penalty are one thing but they seemingly almost happen every single game; whether we are playing a Champion or contender. For consistency purposes that does fall on coaching, him or his staff. 
 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by BBFL

[H2o]

You have 20 seconds, Josh Allen, and 1 timeout. You need to get 35-40 yards for a decent shot. Do you think Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes kneel down? Do you think Nick Siriani and Jalen Hurts kneel down? Do you think Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow kneel down? Do you think John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson kneel down? Do you think Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence kneel down? It was completely gutless, cowardly. And to me, it says he doesn't believe in Allen and the offense to make something happen. Is that really the message you want to continually send to your team when you have a generational talent at QB? I think not. His coordinated defense has given up 3 leads in the last two minutes of games. He is calling the plays that are responsible for at least 3 losses when Josh Allen and the offense had given us a lead. If we don't make the Playoffs, then Sean should be sent packing. Will it happen? Idk. Something's gotta give though. We have seen this for the better part of 3 years now at some point or another. Some coaches just can't get it done, and I am truly starting to believe McDermott is one of those who can't. 

[LarryMadman]

5 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

What do you base this on? Do you have any sources or it is just your opinion?

 

Because I strongly disagree. I am willing to bet that if we lose from here on he's as good as gone. I think he is most likely gone if we miss playoff anyway.

 

People are underestimating Pegula imo. Yes McD's position seemed strong before the year started, but I am pretty sure they are paying attention too. If basically all fans like me, i.e. those who thought he was a good coach now want him to go, then ownership also has to be affected. JMO of course.

Yup, TPegs has gone through, what, 7 head coaches and 4 GMs with the Sabres. Shows to me he is more than willing to make changes if he feels things are not going right. Does he make the right decisions, debatable but at least he is willing to try instead of standing pat.

 

The people who think McDermott is safe are kidding themselves. I'm shocked TPegs hasen't already made a change due to the countless McDermott blunders throughout the years.

 

I think McDermotts seat is way way hotter than most think.

[Billsfan1972]

Look people are mad and should be.  The chances of a fg are minimal, but still a possibility.  A thinking man has 2 timeouts and prepared for the scenario.  McD did not throwing away TO and helping Elliott and the Eagles.

 

Anyone who makes coaching decisions based on what maybe the worst case outcome (i.e. an interception) is a LOSER.

[McBean]

12 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

McDermott can - and unfortunately for me - must get another year if he gets to the AFCCG this season. If the Bills get beat in any fashion (especially another close game loss) in the divisional round, see ya, McD.

 

If McDermott’s presser after the Eagles game is any indication of what his thought process was with 20 seconds left, he’s a fired man coaching. He’s ridiculous. I can’t even believe his excuses for his decisions to not at least attempt a positive play on first down with 20 seconds. His words alone are cause for termination at this stage. But Pegula won’t do it until after the season, I think.
 

TP1 should cut ties now, but that’d mean replacing the HC AND DC, after just replacing the OC, what’s that leave - the special teams coordinator..? Please.
 

See what McDermott did there.. he’s either a a coward and setting up coaches and players to take his fall (which everything out of his mouth points to), or he’s totally unaware of what he’s saying, which I don’t believe he is. 
 

McD’s Reasons for kneeling:

 

The Eagles pass rush. One Sack in 59 drop backs, and Allen was escaping the pressure all night and gaining with his legs. Thanks, but try again, Sean.

 

I used a timeout on the Eagles possession to “end the game” on third down to get the right defensive in to make the stop, then “emptied out the next one” to make the kicker think about it because it’s in the rain. What are you even talking about, Sean?? This made no sense. Again, what does this have to do with 20 seconds/one timeout??
 

I don’t like either timeout anyways! You allowed the Eagles to do what offenses like to do - prepare! A timeout spent on that 3rd & 17 with an already stopped clock and after a false start. This is what McDermott is hanging his hat on - this timeout, leading to the incomplete pass on third down to force the 59 yard kick. Then we spend another timeout on a dead ball to ice the kicker. WHAT??? He’s so proud of himself for this he’s bragging about it! Haven’t we seen enough of a mess on late game field goals this year to NOT CALL A SUPER VALUABLE TIMEOUT TO ICE AN ALREADY COLD KICKER?? I believe he’s scapegoating the special teams coordinator. See, look! Because you screwed up the Denver FG, look what I have to do to make sure we have 11 on the field.. What a loser move.

 

The Bills down to one timeout, knowing if Elliott makes it we are timeout depleted going forward. But for whatever reason, that all makes sense to this head coach.. So, the other team’s kicker is the scapegoat for his POOR TIMEOUT MANAGEMENT, AGAIN.. like a broken record. McDermott is claiming he did everything perfectly, and it’s the kicker’s fault for making it. 

 

We did our job defensively to force a tough kick. So what?! What in the hell does that have to do with what’s happening on the other side with 20 seconds left?! 

 

The Rain. In other words.. I don’t trust our kicker. This is stupid of course. Elliott just made a 59 yarder and Bass has a better leg, and Jesus.. who’s to say you can’t complete three passes and end up with a 40 yard field goal?? I still can’t believe he said this. Cannot believe it. Scapegoat: Bass.

 

In overtime, we should have scored 6 and ended it on our first possession. Again, weirdo McDermott, what’s this got to do with your stupid decision to spend timeouts on defense and not at least try to move the ball with 20 seconds left in regulation?? Scapegoat: Josh and Gabe Davis for not hooking up for 6 in OT.

 

Hindsight’s 20/20. I’m so sick of hearing this guy say this. F him for spewing this stupid scapegoat of a one liner at us again. Great, you should be a historian Sean, instead of an NFL coach who gets paid millions to make the right calls IN THE MOMENT. Go ‘hindsight’ somewhere else, please. I’m done with you. Please please please go away. Play to not win somewhere else. Go somewhere else to be the fantasyland defensive genius that you’ve been crowned by NFL media for some weird reason. Can’t wait to meet up in the Big games against you.
 

McDermott played for Overtime on the road @ Philly after the Eagles came back twice from 10 points down in the second half and ended up scoring 30 POINTS after the half on YOUR DEFENSE. ‘Go get ‘em, Sean!’
 

The idiot should’ve tried to steal one on the road against the best team in football, even after he butchered the timeout situation leading up to the KNEEL DOWN. He failed again. He always seems to fail, doesn’t he..??
 

Sean McDermott’s real definition of complimentary football is that he gets to burn all Buffalo Bills assets—off-season, in-season, and in-game—on HIS defense. He’s strictly a selfish head coach. In the immortal words of Coach Singletary: “Cannot play with ‘em; Cannot win with ‘em…Can’t do it!

[Thurman#1]

13 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

McDermott can - and unfortunately for me - must get another year if he gets to the AFCCG this season. If the Bills get beat in any fashion (especially another close game loss) in the divisional round, see ya, McD.

 

 

Bar's a lot lower than that.

 

He could go, particularly if they fall apart down the stretch. But if they don't, he's likely to be here for at least another year.

 

And while that win was tremendously painful, the Bills looked like an excellent team.

2 hours ago, All_Pro_Bills said:

I think a problem is McDermott actually believes he's making the correct calls to win the game but fails to acknowledge that experience demonstrates his end of game strategy is flawed.  And after each failure he's invoking the excuse of 20-20 hindsight somehow believing each loss that results from his insistence on doing it a certain way is a unique game time situation rather than just another example of the same pattern of blowing the lead.  

 

The message I get from these Sunday night or Monday morning press conferences is "its not my fault" and somebody else, either some other coach or the players screwed up.  So next time we're in the same type of end game situations he's going to call it exactly the same and WHEN they lose, well hindsight is 20-20 and we need to get it right next time.  If Pegula wants to waste another year or two of his life and those of the players and the fans hanging on to the hope the light is going to go on in Sean's head at some point and the team's fortunes in holding late leads is going to change then good luck to our owner and God have mercy on the rest of us!   

 

 

 

What words did you hear that you are twisting enough that they somehow come to mean, "It's not my fault," to you?

[T master]

13 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

McDermott can - and unfortunately for me - must get another year if he gets to the AFCCG this season. If the Bills get beat in any fashion (especially another close game loss) in the divisional round, see ya, McD.

 

If McDermott’s presser after the Eagles game is any indication of what his thought process was with 20 seconds left, he’s a fired man coaching. He’s ridiculous. I can’t even believe his excuses for his decisions to not at least attempt a positive play on first down with 20 seconds. His words alone are cause for termination at this stage. But Pegula won’t do it until after the season, I think.
 

TP1 should cut ties now, but that’d mean replacing the HC AND DC, after just replacing the OC, what’s that leave - the special teams coordinator..? Please.
 

See what McDermott did there.. he’s either a a coward and setting up coaches and players to take his fall (which everything out of his mouth points to), or he’s totally unaware of what he’s saying, which I don’t believe he is. 
 

McD’s Reasons for kneeling:

 

The Eagles pass rush. One Sack in 59 drop backs, and Allen was escaping the pressure all night and gaining with his legs. Thanks, but try again, Sean.

 

I used a timeout on the Eagles possession to “end the game” on third down to get the right defensive in to make the stop, then “emptied out the next one” to make the kicker think about it because it’s in the rain. What are you even talking about, Sean?? This made no sense. Again, what does this have to do with 20 seconds/one timeout??
 

I don’t like either timeout anyways! You allowed the Eagles to do what offenses like to do - prepare! A timeout spent on that 3rd & 17 with an already stopped clock and after a false start. This is what McDermott is hanging his hat on - this timeout, leading to the incomplete pass on third down to force the 59 yard kick. Then we spend another timeout on a dead ball to ice the kicker. WHAT??? He’s so proud of himself for this he’s bragging about it! Haven’t we seen enough of a mess on late game field goals this year to NOT CALL A SUPER VALUABLE TIMEOUT TO ICE AN ALREADY COLD KICKER?? I believe he’s scapegoating the special teams coordinator. See, look! Because you screwed up the Denver FG, look what I have to do to make sure we have 11 on the field.. What a loser move.

 

The Bills down to one timeout, knowing if Elliott makes it we are timeout depleted going forward. But for whatever reason, that all makes sense to this head coach.. So, the other team’s kicker is the scapegoat for his POOR TIMEOUT MANAGEMENT, AGAIN.. like a broken record. McDermott is claiming he did everything perfectly, and it’s the kicker’s fault for making it. 

 

We did our job defensively to force a tough kick. So what?! What in the hell does that have to do with what’s happening on the other side with 20 seconds left?! 

 

The Rain. In other words.. I don’t trust our kicker. This is stupid of course. Elliott just made a 59 yarder and Bass has a better leg, and Jesus.. who’s to say you can’t complete three passes and end up with a 40 yard field goal?? I still can’t believe he said this. Cannot believe it. Scapegoat: Bass.

 

In overtime, we should have scored 6 and ended it on our first possession. Again, weirdo McDermott, what’s this got to do with your stupid decision to spend timeouts on defense and not at least try to move the ball with 20 seconds left in regulation?? Scapegoat: Josh and Gabe Davis for not hooking up for 6 in OT.

 

Hindsight’s 20/20. I’m so sick of hearing this guy say this. F him for spewing this stupid scapegoat of a one liner at us again. Great, you should be a historian Sean, instead of an NFL coach who gets paid millions to make the right calls IN THE MOMENT. Go ‘hindsight’ somewhere else, please. I’m done with you. Please please please go away. Play to not win somewhere else. Go somewhere else to be the fantasyland defensive genius that you’ve been crowned by NFL media for some weird reason. Can’t wait to meet up in the Big games against you.
 

McDermott played for Overtime on the road @ Philly after the Eagles came back twice from 10 points down in the second half and ended up scoring 30 POINTS after the half on YOUR DEFENSE. ‘Go get ‘em, Sean!’
 

The idiot should’ve tried to steal one on the road against the best team in football, even after he butchered the timeout situation leading up to the KNEEL DOWN. He failed again. He always seems to fail, doesn’t he..??
 

Sean McDermott’s real definition of complimentary football is that he gets to burn all Buffalo Bills assets—off-season, in-season, and in-game—on HIS defense. He’s strictly a selfish head coach. In the immortal words of Coach Singletary: “Cannot play with ‘em; Cannot win with ‘em…Can’t do it!

 

And if McD would have only caught those 2 passes from Josh for TD's & made either of those 2 missed kicks McD would have been the hero but DAMMIT he can't catch & he can't kick so fire him !! 🙄

 

Blaming him rather than blaming the players for missed plays is getting pretty old too !! This game wasn't lost by the HC !! And there is nothing you can say or do to change that fact !! 

 

Haters will just hate ...

[Thurman#1]

1 hour ago, LarryMadman said:

Yup, TPegs has gone through, what, 7 head coaches and 4 GMs with the Sabres. Shows to me he is more than willing to make changes if he feels things are not going right. Does he make the right decisions, debatable but at least he is willing to try instead of standing pat.

 

The people who think McDermott is safe are kidding themselves. I'm shocked TPegs hasen't already made a change due to the countless McDermott blunders throughout the years.

 

I think McDermotts seat is way way hotter than most think.

 

 

Those years he went through those head coaches and GMs for the Sabres ... how many of those switches came when the Sabres had made the playoffs four years in a row and consistently been considered a Cup contender?

 

Yeah, he is willing to make changes. 

 

When it makes sense.

[All_Pro_Bills]

12 minutes ago, Thurman#1 said:

What words did you hear that you are twisting enough that they somehow come to mean, "It's not my fault," to you?

The hindsight is 20/20 comments.  That implies without the ability to fully know the outcome questioning decisions made without the benefit of that outcome absolves those responsible.

 

In my time I've sat in lots of meetings with decision makers that made poor decisions and when later analyzing the disaster they caused invoked the "hindsight excuse".  How could anyone have known the outcome would be bad?  Well generally 3/4's of the people in the room knew it was the wrong decision, voiced their opinions and stated facts, and proposed alternative approaches to solving the problem or pursing some strategy or goal.  But the leader, the person in charge, the person that made the ultimate decision ignored their input and their concerns and went ahead with the their approach or strategy regardless.  And then when it went up in smoke said who could have known?  When I hear McDermott go to the hindsight excuse I recall back to the other's I've heard firsthand use that one to absolve themselves from accountability.  All of them saying "it's not my fault".

Edited November 29, 2023 by All_Pro_Bills

[Brand J]

As much as McD practices situational football (according to him), he’s an incredibly poor situational coach. I don’t know his overall record in one score games from the time he got here, but I’d be surprised if it’s not a losing one. Without even knowing the record, I feel confident in saying if the Bills aren’t up by multiple scores with minutes left in the game, McD’s poor thought process and decision making will lead to an L more often than a W. He seems like a solid person and a good coach, but he’s clearly not a championship caliber captain. 
 

 

[ddaryl]

Unless we win out in spectacular fashion I am done with McD, and even if we did win out I would still always be worried with him at HC. I gave him a couple of passes but IMO he has to go this year

[SCBills]

The fact he thinks his defense did it's job to force a tough kick is wild..

 

They should've kicked a 49 yarder.  McDermott and his Defense didn't force two false starts.  Is that your defensive mastermind of a plan?... to allow them to get inside a 50 yard FG to send the game to OT?

 

The icing the veteran kicker decision is just out-dated, meathead thinking.  

 

If he had any faith in Josh Allen, he'd hold onto the timeout, let the chips fall where they may and then tell JA to give us a shot to win it with 20 seconds and 2 timeouts. 

 

It's Wednesday and I'm somehow getting angrier about this as the week goes on....

[34-78-83]

The FACT on this is that if we had gone for the gusto and tried to get into FG range in the 20 seconds and Josh threw a pick, almost every poster here who is mad that he took the conservative approach in the sideways wind and rain would have the exact opposite take, and would be ranting about how stupid it was. Book it, Bank it.... Ain't nobody can tell me otherwise. That's how it works here, just like that's how it works on radio talk shows (only certain types of people call into those).

 

I would have liked to see them try to get in FG range myself, but the contrary is certainly not a 'fire the coach' last straw type of event.

 

I can't wait to see all the phony disagree and thumbs down emojis from y'all liars.

Edited November 29, 2023 by 34-78-83

[SCBills]

3 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Exactly..

Under better conditions or in a dome I'd say go for it but getting into fg range, even with 2 t.os is unlikely, and we'd likely need to get inside the 40 for Bass, defense just held them to a miracle fg, I have no issue playing it safe in that specific scenario 

 

The Defense did not hold them to a miracle FG.  The Defense allowed them to get within a 49 yard FG and then the Eagles gifted us 10 yards on mistakes.  

 

What exactly about Josh Allen and the Offense that night made you worried about giving him 3-4 plays to try and get Bass into FG range?

 

Heaven help us if we lost the coin toss and Hurts marched down and scored on our Defense like we all knew would happen the minute we decided to kick a FG in OT.

[Buffalo Streaker]

13 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

I hate to break this to you, but McDermott‘s not going anywhere. They could lose every game from here on out and he would still be here.

Mrs. McDermott?  That you?

[SCBills]

9 minutes ago, 34-78-83 said:

The FACT on this is that if we had gone for the gusto and tried to get into FG range in the 20 seconds and Josh threw a pick, almost every poster here who is mad that he took the conservative approach in the sideways wind and rain would have the exact opposite take, and would be ranting about how stupid it was. Book it, Bank it.... Ain't nobody can tell me otherwise. That's how it works here, just like that's how it works on radio talk shows (only certain types of people call into those).

 

I would have liked to see them try to get in FG range myself, but the contrary is certainly not a 'fire the coach' last straw type of event.

 

I can see how this is the counter argument.. and maybe some fans would have done that.. but the fact that the announcers, not even us fans, Romo and Nantz were just casually discussing what Allen will look to do in those 20 seconds before kneeling it lends credence to the fact the common reaction was confusion and jaw-drops when we saw him line up for the kneel.  

 

Furthermore, if anyone is like me, the entire house was screaming at McDermott for using that timeout to ice the kicker.  

 

I have to disagree with you.  I think we all were ready to live or die with our franchise QB who was dismantling the Eagles Defense all day over a Head Coach making decisions given his track record. 

[34-78-83]

41 minutes ago, SCBills said:

 

I can see how this is the counter argument.. and maybe some fans would have done that.. but the fact that the announcers, not even us fans, Romo and Nantz were just casually discussing what Allen will look to do in those 20 seconds before kneeling it lends credence to the fact the common reaction was confusion and jaw-drops when we saw him line up for the kneel.  

 

Furthermore, if anyone is like me, the entire house was screaming at McDermott for using that timeout to ice the kicker.  

 

I have to disagree with you.  I think we all were ready to live or die with our franchise QB who was dismantling the Eagles Defense all day over a Head Coach making decisions given his track record. 

I agree on the ice the kicker timeout. That was wasted. Still, not firing the guy over it... Just (as an owner maybe?) trying to ensure he doesn't try to ice a kicker in that same situation going forward.