Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott saw his team use a play he previously shared his disdain for. The AFC East team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, 27-24, to advance to the divisional round.
Cole Bishop picked off Trevor Lawrence to seal the deal for Buffalo, but Josh Allen gave them the lead in the prior drive, even using the “tush push,” a play McDermott labeled as dangerous for the players last season.
Speaking with reporters in March, 2025, Sean McDermott didn’t mince words when discussing the play.
“I feel where I’m most concerned is, even though there is not significant data out there to this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players, first and foremost. It’s two things. It’s force, added force, number one, and then the posture of the players, being asked to execute that type of play, that’s where my concern comes in,” McDermott said.
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“I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to get too deep into that situation there, in terms of how much data, how much sample. I don’t think that’s really always the best way to go. There is other data out there that suggests when you’re in a posture like we’re talking about, that can lead to serious injury. I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go.”
With 1:10 left in the fourth quarter on fourth-and-1, Josh Allen ran the ball for a 10-yard gain with the Bills’ version of the tush push. He scored on the very next play to give the Bills the final lead.
Skip Bayless called out Sean McDermott over Josh Allen decision during Jaguars game
Veteran analyst Skip Bayless wasn’t happy with Sean McDermott’s decision to keep Josh Allen on the field, even after the 2024 NFL MVP battled several physical issues.
“Well, Josh Allen has an injured left foot, right knee, right hand and was evaluated for concussion. Other than that, he’s just fine. ‘Cleared to play,’ said McDermott,'” Bayless wrote on X.
The Bills survived a tough challenge, but it won’t get any easier after this.
