1. This rookie has earned McDermott's trust
If it hasn't already been clear by snap count and rushing attempts, rookie third-round pick Devin Singletary has become the top running back of the Buffalo Bills. So long are concerns about Singletary being undersized and unable to block as the rook has consistently appeared in critical passing situations.
As Buffalo plays a three-game stretch against heavy blitzing teams Singletary will be key in pass protection. Most notably, Singletary was in blocking when Buffalo was inside its own 20 against the Ravens last Sunday.
"That's part of it, as you go through and try to get the right guys on the team and in around our building, it's a lot about trust," McDermott said on WGR 550. "You can find really skilled players out there but it's a combination of skill and the intangibles that develop the trust that we need to get our team to where it's trying to go."
McDermott said that Singletary is "light years ahead" of where he was when he was getting few touches near the beginning of the season.
"It's credit to him, his coaches, his approach to teaching every week and he's such a great young man and humble and hungry and he just embraces it. He really to me personifies everything we're about and the way that he's developed in pass protection, not only the assignment part of it but also the physical part of it and he's really turning into an all-around back," McDermott said.
2. Bills ready for a big opportunity on Sunday
Last week the Bills had to win along with three other teams to lose in order to clinch a playoff berth. Luckily, those three teams all lost leaving Buffalo alone with its own clinching scenario. Win and the Bills are in.
"Anytime you have this opportunity, you really don't want to take it for granted," Lorenzo Alexander said. "You want to take hold of it and grab it and really try to achieve it as soon as possible. I've seen some crazy things where a team was supposed to go [to the playoffs] and they find their way out of it because they kind of relax and think have three games."
Buffalo still has three games left but the Bills much prefer to have their spot locked up at the end of Sunday. The final three-game slate includes the Steelers, Patriots and Jets.
A playoff berth will be the second in Sean McDermott's tenure as head coach and second time in three years.
"Those past failures, not many of us were here. We certainly respect the past, but our eyes are set on the future," McDermott said.
3. These Bills players are giving back this holiday season
This past week, two members of the Buffalo Bills took local kids on a trip to collect presents for the holiday season.
Ty Nsekhe took 50 kids from Salvation Army for a shopping spree with the Buffalo offensive linemen.
Devin Singletary took kids in the Buffalo Boys & Girls Club shopping later in the week.
"I would say it's very important. I love to give back, I definitely love being around kids and working with kids — I would love to do this at all times. People gave back to me when I was younger, so I feel like it's only right," Singletary told ESPN.
