10 NFL head coaches under the most pressure in 2020
The Bills were everyone’s trendy pick to overtake the Patriots in the AFC East before Cam Newton decided to take his talents to Foxborough. Newton’s decision won’t change McDermott’s goals for 2020. He still wants to see Buffalo run roughshod over the rest of the division.
McDermott is another coach whose short-term future is tied to a quarterback who divides opinion around the NFL. Josh Allen has a big arm and terrific mobility, but he’s one of the least accurate starters in football. If McDermott can push Allen’s completion percentage into the mid-60s it could do wonders for Buffalo’s win total.
Fortunately for McDermott, he should have an excellent defense at his disposal. The group quietly finished second in the NFL in terms of point allowed last year. They might not hold opponents to 16.2 points per game again this season, but they’ll still keep the team in every game they play.
If the Bills defense can fashion a top-five defense and find a way to field a league-average offense they should be able to overtake the Patriots. The addition of Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo offense should give them just enough big plays to make that dream a reality. If McDermott doesn’t get the Bills to the top of the AFC East mountain this year it’s fair to wonder whether he ever will.