Sean McDermott makes history after Bills' comeback win over Patriots

Buffalo's head coach achieved something he's never done before, while Mike Vrabel faces a career first following his team's second-half collapse.

Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

When the Buffalo Bills defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday, head coaches Sean McDermott and Mike Vrabel each broke trends that spanned the entirety of their careers as related to a team's bye week.

A first for McDermott

Sunday's victory was the first time Sean McDermott has beaten a team coming out of its bye week, with the Patriots enjoying a late Week 14 bye ahead of their divisional matchup with the Bills.

This trend had previously included Buffalo's loss earlier this season to the Atlanta Falcons, who had an early Week 5 bye followed by a Week 6 matchup against the Bills on Monday Night Football. Buffalo's 2023 fall to the Denver Broncos is also included, ironically also a Monday Night Football matchup, infamously known as the game that got Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey fired.

Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Breaking Vrabel's perfect score

Heading into Sunday's matchup, Vrabel was undefeated as a head coach in the first game out of the bye week, after going 6-0 during his six years in Tennessee. This is a trend that Bills fans would know well, since McDermott is also undefeated with the Bills when coming out of their bye week, winning all nine games.

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The match's results obviously broke this trend, simultaneously creating career "firsts" for both head coaches in the AFC East matchup.

Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reacts from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Bonus Bills trend

According to @HOFSteveTasker, the Bills are now 9-0 since 2021 against a team they've previously lost to in the same season. This trend includes the postseason, with recent playoff wins over the Patriots, Dolphins, and Ravens all occurring after previously losing to them in the regular season.

MORE: Bills consider activating 3x Super Bowl champion to help down stretch

Most of the wins come against divisional opponents, since the Bills are guaranteed two matchups every year against their AFC East foes. Buffalo has defeated the Patriots four times, Jets twice, Dolphins twice, and Ravens once after losing to them earlier in that same season.

9-0#BillsMafia https://t.co/7UnuJXAwss

— Put Steve Tasker in the Hall of Fame (@HOFSteveTasker) December 14, 2025

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