Sean McDermott's eye-popping record coming off Bye gives Bills hope for quick rebound

Since taking over the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Sean McDermott is a perfect 8-0 in games immediately after the Bye.

Bills' head coach Sean McDermott / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Considering the uncharacteristically sloppy last two games, it feels like a good time for the Buffalo Bills' Bye. Factoring in head coach Sean McDermott's record coming off a week's rest, it's apparently always a good time for the Bills' Bye.

Coming off consecutive ugly losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in which they committed a combined 19 penalties and five turnovers, the Bills have 11 more days to lick their wounds and re-group before traveling to Carolina to play the surprising Panthers in Week 8 (Oct. 26).

If history is any indication, McDermott will use the time wisely.

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Since taking over the Bills in 2017, the head coach is undefeated in games immediately after the Bye. A perfect 8-0, including a 35-10 shellacking of the San Francisco 49ers last season. Only one of the games has been on the road: a 20-17 win at the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

Josh Allen has also never lost coming off the Bye, going 7-0.

In the eight games under McDermott, the Bills have averaged 27.5 points and never scored less than 20. Last season was quite a different feel than this year heading into the Bye. In 2024 the Bills beat the Chiefs at home in Week 11 to head into their off week with a record of 9-2 and a ton of momentum. This season needs to more of a wake-up call, complete with re-set.

A look at McDermott's post-Bye games with the Bills:

Bills head coach Sean McDermott celebrates a turnover on downs by the defense in 2024. / Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

2017, Week 7: at Bills 30, Buccaneers 27

2018, Week 12: at Bills 24, Jaguars 21

2019, Week 7: at Bills 31, Dolphins 21

2020, Week 12: at Bills 27, Chargers 17

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2021, Week 7: at Bills 26, Dolphins 11

2022, Week 8: at Bills 27, Packers 17

2023, Week 14: Bills 20, at Chiefs 17

2024, Week 13: at Bills 35, 49ers 10

Sean McDermott and Josh Allen / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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