Recurring mastermind for Bills set to return to Buffalo as a rival team's head coach

Mike Vrabel coached five games against the Buffalo Bills as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans in six seasons, and he returns for round 6 on Sunday with the team he made the All-Pro team and made a sensational touchdown catch in a Super Bowl with.

The Bills and Josh Allen went 3-2 against Vrabel and during his Titans tenure, with the first one happening in the future NFL MVP's rookie season. It was a 13-12 final for the quarterback's first career home victory.

Vrabel consistently brought out the best of subpar rosters with the Titans, with Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill as the two quarterbacks. He also made superstars out of homegrown talents like Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown.

Sep 19, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a play during the first half against the Buffalo Bills. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

MORE: Bills sign new punter to replace injured Cameron Johnston

Of course, there'll be no Henry to threaten the Buffalo defense like in Tennessee. Henry terrorized the Bills, most notably, to the tune of 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in their 2021 matchup, the craziest of the bunch. However, it wasn't like his time with the Ravens.

On the defensive side of the ball, Vrabel's Titans were able to rattle Allen slightly, as his 11:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the six games is much more middling, but Allen posted a 7:1 ratio in his last two outings against Vrabel's Tennessee squad.

As for what Vrabel has now on offense with the New England Patriots, with whom he's in his first season, he has a plethora of running backs and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who'll face his toughest test yet despite the Bills' defense being banged up.

Meanwhile, on defense, Christian Gonzalez has developed into a top corner in the NFL, but with the array of weapons that Allen has now, it'll be difficult for Vrabel to build a game plan against Buffalo's explosive offense.

It'll be an electric environment in Buffalo, and the sea of white that'll be expected at Highmark Stadium will rain boos down upon Vrabel and the Patriots as they take the field.

Mike Vrabel and Morgan Moses — Sep 14, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates with offensive tackle Morgan Moses (76). | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

— Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Cam Johnston injury update: Bills punter hit on plant leg during play

Beast unleashed: Josh Allen breaks free from coaches' chains late vs. Saints

Bills' MVP Josh Allen identifies James Cook's most-underrated trait

Bills' comeback over Ravens looks even more significant two weeks later

Sean McDermott gives promising update on Bills' defensive studs who remain sidelined