BUFFALO BILLS HEAD COACH SEAN MCDERMOTT
Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, December 14, 2025
SM: Not a lot of people in attendance. Glory to God and this microphone here, okay? Glory to God. Great win. Appreciate all the Buffalo fans who were here to support us today. Resilient, tough football team. When you're down like we were at halftime, thought the staff did a great job making adjustments. Players executed. Point out a couple guys here just to celebrate. Ray Davis, big time, couple big-time kickoff returns that helped set up field position for us and scoring opportunities. Milano with two sacks. Tre White had an interception, big time play. James Cook, over 100 yards. Credit the O-line and everybody involved in the offensive running game. Dawson Knox, what a week. Holy smokes, having a new baby, he and his wife. Congratulations to them. And then two touchdowns today and setting the record for Buffalo Bills all-time leading touchdown receptions as a tight end. So great award, great honor, and a great leader as well of our football team.
Q: You said that coaches did a good job of putting some adjustments together. I know you like to be as even-keeled as you possibly can no matter the circumstance. How did you deliver your messaging at halftime? Because those guys looked like they got shot out of a cannon in the second half.
SM: Our guys, they understand. They have a good feel for when they are and when they're not playing the way we need to play. And I saw Josh as I was kind of bringing everybody up, and he looked at me. I just knew he was seeing it like I was. The entire team was on the same vibe. So those guys went out there, again, started with our kickoff return, with Ray and the group. And credit Coach Tabor and Coach West there as well. We got into a good rhythm.
Q: You've kind of done it time and again second half of games this season. Obviously, it's a sign of remarkable resilience. Is it problematic in a sense too, some of the slow starts?
SM: Always a but, Jay. Always a but. How about an and? That's something we have to work on. Something we have to, you know, get into a rhythm sooner. But there's also an ability to adjust during a game. Anybody can come up with a game plan, but it's also what happens when they take certain things away. Are you able to pivot and adjust? I think that's the sign of a great staff.
Q: Defensively in the first half, what was the problem? What did you think was holding you guys back?
SM: We were giving up some runs. Because of that, they were a two-dimensional offense, keeping us off balance a little there. Run defense starts with gap integrity. We'll look at it and address it. We've got to be better, that's for sure.
Q: After the long touchdown run, after you've taken the lead, they get the one-play touchdown. That took some stones to bounce back the way you did. You did it pretty quickly. Can you address that point of the game and how proud you might be and how they responded to that?
SM: It was huge, first of all, for the offense to go and counter. When they score, we need to counter regardless of who it is. And then the defense, when they went back out there, they knew. It was one play. They had been playing really tough football in the second half. Credit Bobby and the defensive staff and the players for that. Good adjustments again. They were playing really well. They made a play. The player's a special player. He's got speed for sure. We need to take better angles than we did on the back side of it. That's where it bounced back on the cut-back.
Q: The passing game has diversified itself by tapping into the tight ends and the running backs. I mean, today, 13 receptions, three touchdowns for your running backs and tight ends in the passing game. How do you feel that has kind of morphed your passing game here down the stretch?
SM: It's important that you don't just target one position group, one player. Josh did a great job. I thought Joe called a great game, particularly in the second half. Josh was taking what the defense was giving him. That's a sign of an offense that's unselfish, that's disciplined and is in a rhythm.
Q: Apologize if you addressed this, but the decision not to challenge on their long completion on the first possession. What went into that?
SM: I didn't have any. We didn't have anything. We didn't have a replay quick enough for us to do it. What I saw on the video board, it was close. You never know. So we just didn't have any replay, and they got up to the ball fast. So at the end of the day, you know, it worked out.
Q: Are you given any descriptions when you play a system coming in, why it happens or why it doesn't? A lot of fans were confused. A couple times it felt like there was a replay system, and then some there wasn't.
SM: Your question is a little bit cloudy, but the short answer is sometimes we know, sometimes we don't. And the referees do a really good job of communicating, especially since the onset of the replay assists. It's loud in the stadium, in their defense. But sometimes they chime in, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you think they will and they don't. It's all part of the game. The game ebbs and flows. Whether it's a challenge in the first half, if I had a better -- we didn't have any view in the booth upstairs so it was a hard deal.
Q: Sean, some players said they did hear the Patriots chirping, particularly [Stefon] Diggs and [Mack] Hollins to your guys were very demonstrative. They said they took it to heart. Did you notice any of that?
SM: No, I didn't. This game isn't about any one player or two players in this case. Those guys are great players. Really, it's about a team game. That's what it's about. Our team finished the game today the way we needed to finish and got a win. So we move on.
Q: You talk about feeling players quite often. Did you feel Matt Milano today?
SM: Oh, yeah. Yeah, he was vibing out there. He probably felt him up in the box. Two sacks. Bobby made those two calls and Matt cashed in. It was good to see. He's been working his tail off to get himself back to where he was today so I credit him and all the training staff and everything.
Q: Does it feel good not letting them celebrate today?
SM: It feels good to win. It does. We came in here to play a football game. We're not really into their goals. We're into our own journey. We have a lot of respect for them. Their coaches do a great job. We came, wanted to play as good as we could and get a win, and we did.
Q: What went into the decision (inaudible)?
SM: Just trying to put guys based on the game plan week to week in there that we feel like is the right approach. We'll go back and reevaluate after this week as well offensively, defensively, and special teams. We have a lot of confidence in Gabe.
Q: You were asked this already. Any update on (inaudible)?
SM: No, I don't have anything for you.
Q: That was a scary situation for you. What was the 24 hours like leading up to this game like for you and the team?
SM: I should have started this press conference off by extending our prayers, thoughts, sympathies. I mean, just a very unfortunate situation and a shame. It really is. And I pray for them. We prayed for them as a team last night, for everyone involved. Brown University. So, there's things in life that are bigger than football, and I thought it was important that we did that when we came together as a team last night. Just a shame. Just unfortunate and a shame that that goes on in our world. Thank you.
QUARTERBACK JOSH ALLEN
Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Q: It did not look good in the first half. What changed the second half?
JA: We stayed the course. Stayed together. Didn't ride the highs. Didn't ride the lows. Just told ourselves at halftime, we really felt like we were hurting ourselves in the first half. Going out there and just trying to execute each and every given play.
Q: It always comes off like hollow words, one play at a time, playing together. What is it about that that holds true? Able dig down in the surface as to how you guys were able to do that.
JA: I think it's the love each man in that locker room has for each other. The willingness to put their body on the line in order to not let their teammates down. That driving force. It's the relationships in that room. And whether we are playing really good, whether we're playing really bad, this team is going to stick together and continue to fight and continue to find ways to win football games. I think we saw that tonight.
Q: Now that it's over, can you say that during the week, there was a little bit of motivation to prevent that team from taking your title at least this week?
JA: Absolutely. It's the most important one because it's the next one. I say that a lot. It's no different. We understood what was at stake. But at the same time, that wasn't really in the back of our heads. We were just, hey, we've got to find a way to win the football game. And that's what we did tonight.
Q: A team that just won ten games in a row, I know you talked about rebounding at halftime. What sparked you guys? It felt like there was no hope for a while there.
JA: Yeah. Score, stop, score. That's what we did coming out. I think we've been pretty dang good at that over the course of the season. Now, obviously, we want to start faster and don't want to continue to put ourselves in the holes we're finding ourselves in. But being able to dig ourselves out and be battle tested coming down the stretch here, yeah, would love to find ways earlier on in the game to get things going so we don't have to put ourselves in that situation.
Q: You said score, stop, score. You said after the Steelers game, I think you were on defense, stop, score, stop whatever it was. Are those words said at halftime? Does somebody get up and say this is what we need to do?
JA: Yeah. If it's not said, it's known within the locker room. But, yeah, it's said by a lot of guys. That's the belief that we have in each other of this is what we're going to do. It's one thing to say it. It's another thing to go out and do it.
Q: What have you seen with Dawson Knox the last couple weeks?
JA: He continues to find himself in good situations. He's been making plays. On the year, maybe not a whole lot of hay coming his way, but he's never once complained. He's worked his butt off. He's blocked his tail off in the run game. He's finding himself with these opportunities come the last few weeks, and he's taken advantage of them, and I love the guy.
Q: Josh, you were seeking out contact today, second downs, running into linebackers. Is that AFC East title on the line, or what goes into your decision with those?
JA: I wish I could tell you, to be honest. Sometimes it's just that's what the play calls for. I don't -- yeah, I don't know. Just trying to make plays for the football team.
Q: What was yesterday like for you guys? You were in Providence, fairly close to the shooting. And the shelter-in-place and all that, what was the day like for you?
JA: Yeah, very, very scary situation. Obviously, condolences to the families and prayers are out to everyone that was involved and affected by it. It's a terrible thing. But, yeah, obviously, we're out. Some guys are eating dinner blocks away from where it was going on. And making sure that we were getting updates from our team. I thought we did a great job of communicating with everybody and adding some extra security at the hotel.
But, yeah, very scary situation.
Q: You guys were already in town, and you were able to get out of the hotel before it happened?
JA: Correct.
Q: So, there were guys out and about?
JA: Correct.
Q: I was told you guys got in right as it was happening and went right to the hotel. That was not true? You were in?
JA: I don't know the timeline exactly, but I know there were guys at dinner when the text was being sent out.
Q: Josh, how are you physically? The broadcast showed you (no audio).
JA: That's, I mean, if they don't catch it every game, I don't know. Basically happens every game. If I don't get enough out pregame, usually happens at halftime. If I don't get enough at halftime, it usually happens in the third or fourth quarter. I don't know why I do it. It just happens. It's due to nothing else other than just like a weird feeling. Just got to get it out.
Q: You were a little slow to get up after one play too. Any issues health-wise?
JA: No. All good.
Q: Josh, after a lot of comebacks, we ask you if there's a play or moment that stands out. Is there in this game?
JA: I think, you know, coming out of that second half may have been the Ray Davis return putting us in good field position, giving us confidence of hey, like, let's just go play football now. We don't have to worry about the score. We're going to take it one play at a time. But he did a great job. He's done the great job the entire season in the kickoff return spot. He set us up for some really good field position.
Q: The Patriots haven't been in games like this. Could you see them starting to get tighter and starting to maybe lose confidence a little bit as you guys were wearing them down?
JA: I wouldn't say that. That's a fantastic team. I think you said they won ten straight. You don't win ten straight by not being a really, really fantastic football team. So, again, it just kind of sometimes comes down to who makes more plays. Tonight, that was us.
Q: At one point on the sideline on a play, Matt Milano looked like he got punched in the face. He responded with probably one of the best halves he's played all season. How much did it mean to the defense? I know you were on the tablet.
JA: He had a couple sacks tonight, big-time plays for our defense. It's the Matt Milano we all know and love.
Q: With a third down, game on the line, you call it for Ty Johnson. You've been complimentary of him, what he provides to the team. To see him gut out the tough yards and ice the game, what's it mean to you?
JA: He's always ready. He stays ready. Whenever his number is called, he's primarily the third down back. When he has the ball in his hands, typically good things happen. He's a thicker little guy, like just built, and he's hard to bring down. So in that situation, just give him the ball and letting him push the pile.
Q: What was the thought after you did all that work to finally get ahead and, one play later, they're back in the lead. You've got to do it again. What was the feeling there?
JA: Get up and get out there and play football. One play at a time.
Q: Do you want to talk about the Brady-era Patriots being the standard of the AFC as they were for so long. You keep the season alive or the AFC alive. What's your pride in being the standard bearer for this division?
JA: Honestly, we're not in first place right now so I can't say we're the standard bearer. Obviously, the last five-ish years, we've found sustained success. But never been able to punch our ticket to the Super Bowl. At the end of the goal, that's every team's dream. And our goal is not just to win AFC Easts. You've got to get into the playoffs to give yourself a chance to win a Super Bowl. So that's what we're trying to do.
Q: Over the last 48 hours, has this weekend been a whirlwind for you?
JA: I've known for a long time, right? So it's not that crazy to me. But, yeah, I mean, obviously, the love I've received from teammates and friends, it's really cool, special moment in my life and my wife's life. Yeah.
Q: Josh, this team, your team and you don't lack for confidence. When you're able to win a game like this, down 21-0, what does it do? Anything? Because you guys do play at such a high confidence level. To be able to do that, there has to be some sort of growth or realization.
JA: I think it's maybe over the course of the season what we've done. You saw it today of what makes this team the team of we're not out of it. We're going to continue to fight one play at a time. No matter what the score is, if it's in the third quarter, in the fourth quarter, whatever it is, if we've got a chance and we've got the ball, we feel like we like our chances. That's that. Thanks, guys.
ADDITIONAL BILLS PLAYERS
James Cook lll, RB
(On being able to rally in the second half)
"Just being us, man. You know, we just stayed level headed and just went out there just played football the second half."
(On playing together and why they are successful)
"Well, I think just leaning on each other and just standing together and doing those types of things in a game like that, just stay together. You know that is what we did today and came out with a victory."
(On what they did differently in the second half running)
"We just leaned on them and that is why we are the number one rushing offense in the NFL. So, you know like I am always saying, we just need to keep going and just keep playing football."
(On the momentum and energy in this game as they were pulling close)
"Just like I said, it is just staying level headed and just playing with each other. That is what we did and like I said, we got the victory. We need to get back to Buffalo and get back to work."
(On the importance of not letting the Patriots win the division today)
"I mean that was not our focus. Our focus was to play football and try to get a victory."
Khalil Shakir, WR
(On the play of Dawson Knox the last couple of weeks)
"That's what having a baby girl will do to you. Honestly, Dawson is a great dude. He's a hard worker, and I look up to him and everything he does, both on and off the field."
(On how much pride there is in denying the Patriots the AFC East title in their building)
"Obviously, it's a divisional game and for us, we take every single game as serious as the next one. We try not to overlook anything and also try not to make any game bigger than what it is. It's our most important game because it's our next one. So, I'm just looking at it that way and taking it one game at a time."
(On how a comeback like that can bring a team together)
"Yeah, I mean, we've done it a few times, and I think our vibe afterwards is always great. We play for one another and we play for our families. I just think it means so much to us."
(On what it's like after a tough first half and then having a successful second half)
"It's like such a chill vibe between everybody, no matter the spot we are in. It's crazy, we are down 24-7 and everyone is chilling. I've said it a thousand times, but as long as there is time on the clock, we know we have a fighting chance."
Joey Bosa, DE
(On the slow start in today's game)
"We have to do a better job of coming out fast, but I think we prove that when we play together, we can be a really effective defense. We just have to learn what we can and that is one of the best teams in the entire league, so being able to come back and finish with the win is huge."
(On why they are better in the second half)
"I don't know if I have the answer to that, but like I was saying, I just don't think there's any quit in this team. We've proved that a few games this year that you just have to keep fighting when we have a guy like Josh [Allen] back there with the ball in his hands, anything is possible. So as a defense, we just needed to make a few stops, and we came out hungry in second half to prove that we could do that. And I'm just really proud of everybody for executing, and for doing their job, playing fast, and never giving up on the game."
(On if momentum real in this game)
"Of course, it's real, and it's easy, you know, when you get up on a team to kind of let the foot off the gas a little bit. When we're down, coming in at half, we have to realize that and we have to come out swinging at the second half. So, I think we did that. We played really well as a defense and in the second half, there was that long run that we really need to be better on, but the offense was just unstoppable. They gave us a chance, and luckily, you know, we capitalized on that."
(On if it is different knowing you have Josh Allen as your quarterback when your down in a game)
"Yeah, no doubt. It's never over and obviously that is not the start we want as a defense, but as soon as they started rolling, we got that score at the end of the half and then we let up that field goal, which was obviously not ideal. We came in at the half and didn't get down on ourselves, stayed calm and just made some adjustments and came out to play in second half."
A.J. Epenesa, DE
(On the momentum swing between the first and second half)
"Momentum's real. They had some of that on their side today where they had a score, defensive stop, score. First half was definitely their half, but coming back in the second half was just dialing in. I think that's our big thing. We just have to hunker down and not make things too big or too small."
(On what they say to each other when things aren't going well)
"Like I was saying, nothing is too big or too small. We can acknowledge that the first half wasn't our game. It wasn't Bills football. Coming out in the second half, we just knew what the standard was, and that's what we strive for."
(On the fourth quarter play of the defense)
"I don't think we necessarily did anything differently. I think we just had some good reps, and we were able to get some pressure on them. I don't think we really started hitting them until later in the game. When you can put some shots on him [Drake Maye] and make him start to think about the rush rather than what is developing with his routes, it's an easier load for us defensively."
Shaq Thompson, LB
(On the outcome of the game)
"We started off a little slow, but the one thing about this team, we're going to stay ten toes down until that clock hits zero."
(On adjustments in the second half)
"We just got back to our brand of football. You know what I mean? The first half wasn't us. We let them get away with some stuff. We didn't wrap up. I didn't do well myself, so you could put all that stuff on me in the first half."
Tre'Davious White, CB
(On his interception)
"I mean, we were in one of our zone coverages. They were in one of their formations where I knew it was going to be a deep ball. So, I was expecting a deep ball, I was just trying to stay on top, stay in my position where I was supposed to be in. The quarterback threw the ball, and I went and made the play."
(On not allowing long plays)
"I mean, that's Bills defense, not to give up the big plays. Bend don't break, take the ball away. They were driving down. It was a crucial time of the game, and for me to come up and make that type of play for our team in a situation where we went, after the takeaway, and scored."
(On the second half adjustments)
"We were just able to get up, get aggressive and get our hands on them a little bit, and just play aggressive and be aggressive in our man-to-man coverages. Our defensive line, they did a great job of getting the quarterback off the spot. So, anytime you have those two, rushing and coverage working together, it's going to be big for us."
Maxwell Hairston, CB
(On Tre'Davious White's interception)
"That hit different, I was so happy about that one. He deserved that. I love Tre, love playing with him. That was a special moment for all of us."
(On adjustments defensively in the second half)
"We had a mindset to come out in the second half. We were down. Give it your all, empty the tank, and we did that."
