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On Sunday, Bills Mafia will see their most meaningful game in the 21^st century when the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens. The 9-3 Bills are led by one of the best young minds in the NFL in Sean McDermott, one of the most ferocious defenses in the league, and a rising star at quarterback in Josh Allen.  

The 45-year-old McDermott has built a culture in Western New York that fits in with the region that they are playing in. This time of year Buffalo has terrible weather, it is not a city that’s night life is thriving, and the Bills have not been perennial winners. However, McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have found players that not only accept the challenge of playing for the city and its fans but thrived in their culture. McDermott is not only great at finding good players that fit his scheme but he is great at player development as well.

Offseason acquisitions on offense such as wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley and offensive lineman Mitch Morse, Jon Feliciano and the ageless running back Frank Gore have provided help for the improving Allen. As for Allen, he has quietly but steadily improved his play over the past seven games. In that stretch Allen has thrown for 11 touchdowns and only one interception and is starting to develop the feel for the game at the pro level. In recent games he had opportunities to run and escape the pressure but he waited for the play to develop and find the open receiver. Allen goes through his progression better as well as putting more touch on the ball instead of just shot putting the ball to his receivers.

As for the defense, the Bills built their defense through a combination of high end draft picks as well as smart free agency signings. The Bills have hit home runs in three consecutive years in first round picks Tre’Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds and Ed Oliver. White has had 54 tackles, one sack and four interceptions on the season and is making a case for First Team All-Pro. Edmonds, who at 21 years of age was named a team captain at the start of the season has emerged as one of the best young middle linebackers in the league. Edmunds has recorded 89 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season. Oliver had a big game on Thanksgiving with two sacks on Dak Prescott and he is becoming a disruptive force in the interior. Free agency signings of Trent Murphy, Micah Hyde and Star Lotulelei has supplemented their young defensive core. The Bills are third in total defense, scoring defense, and pass defense.

Buffalo is almost a certain lock for the playoffs as a wild card, but more opportunities to make a statement comes rising with games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots coming after the Sunday Showdown against Baltimore. Buffalo still controls their own destiny to grab the division and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

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