Buffalo Bills' Sean McDermott has ugly record against Super Bowl winning-coaches

The Buffalo Bills clearly made a smart hire when they brought on former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott as their head coach prior to the 2017 season. McDermott has led his team to a 25-23 record and two playoff appearances – before he arrived, the Bills hadn't made the postseason since 1999, the NFL's longest drought. However, McDermott appears to have one Achilles' heel: Facing head coaches who have won a Super Bowl.

There are nine current head coaches who have won a Super Bowl: Bill Belichick of the Patriots, Mike Tomlin of the Steelers, Andy Reid of the Chiefs, Jon Gruden of the Raiders, John Harbaugh of the Ravens, Sean Payton of the Saints, Doug Pederson of the Eagles, Pete Carroll of the Seahawks, and Mike McCarthy of the Cowboys. Two of those guys won their Super Bowl rings with different franchises, however: Gruden with the Bucs and McCarthy with the Packers.

McDermott is 1-11 straight up in his career as a head coach vs. Super Bowl-winning coaches and 3-9 against the spread. Overall, the Bills will have six such games in 2020, assuming the coronavirus cooperates with a full 16-game slate.

In Week 4, the Bills visit the Raiders in Las Vegas for the first time – McDermott has yet to face Gruden since he returned to the NFL. Early point spread projections have Buffalo as a 1.5-point favorite.

Buffalo hosts Belichick and the Patriots in Week 8 and visits New England in Week 16, the last Monday night game of the 2020 season. At least McDermott won't have to deal with Tom Brady any longer.

In Week 6 on a Thursday night, the Bills host Reid and the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. It's possible that's the only game this season where Buffalo is a home underdog as it projects at +3 currently on the NFL odds.

Week 9, Buffalo hosts the Seahawks, and it will be McDermott's first-ever matchup against Carroll. In Week 13 on a Sunday night, Tomlin and the Steelers visit New Era Field. It's Buffalo's first time hosting a Sunday night game since 2007.

Buffalo does not play Payton's Saints, Harbaugh's Ravens, McCarthy's Cowboys or Pederson's Eagles. William Hill sportsbook gives the Bills an Over-Under win total of 9, with both options at -110 on the moneyline. No Over win total has taken more action in the league at William Hill than Buffalo's.

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