Are the Buffalo Bills ready to end their play-off drought?

Under Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills are looking good at 4-2 and have been one of the season's surprise packages. How good can they be and can they end the NFL's longest current play-off drought?

After a dismal 2016, they looked like a team planning for the future heading into this year. They hired a new head coach in McDermott, and made multiple trades to acquire draft picks over the summer.

But McDermott wasn’t having any of it. He has led his team to a winning record, and has repeatedly shot down claims his team was 'tanking'. In fact, he has said his team embraced it and instead used it as motivation to 'build'.

They are certainly building. The team has a top-four defense in terms of points allowed, a plus-10 turnover margin (which tops the NFL) and their first 3-0 start at home since 2011.

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Ahead of their matchup with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, former Super Bowl winner and Pro Bowler Dallas Clark sat down with Sky Sports to talk about the Bills and he's impressed with what they’ve been able to do.

“When there’s a new coach, no one really expects to be successful straight away. You’re preparing yourself to be building, or learning the schemes and identity”, Clark said.

“The Bills have been competitive and are playing really well, so it’s a credit to the coaching staff and the players. They’ve gotten after it.”

It’s not easy being a Bills fan. They have the longest play-off drought in the NFL, having missed out on the play-offs for 17 straight seasons - making them the only team without a post-season appearance this millennium. Clark would love to see them finally get there.

“I think it’s great for that organisation. Since getting to the Super Bowl and not winning it four times, they’ve always had a stigma. You almost feel sorry for them, so it’s good to see them be competitive and make some noise in that division.”

The Buffalo community really did experience the heartbreak of all heartbreaks. From 1990-93, the Bills lost in the big one four times in a row. They’ve not reached anywhere near those heights since.

But McDermott is here to turn things around. He had an impressive career in Philadelphia and Carolina, and his firm focus on the defensive side of the ball is translating to success in Buffalo.

He’s also changing the culture left behind by previous head coach, the very different Rex Ryan.

"History shows that [coaching changes are] usually a big contrast. If it’s a loud guy, they usually hire a quiet guy, or vice versa. There’s usually a big dynamic change in that atmosphere and the environment. It can be hard for these players to adjust," Clark added.

“For McDermott to adjust the way he has done, he must have come in a had a good pulse of what was going on.”

It’s very similar to what Sean McVay has done in Los Angeles, and the Rams also have a great record so far at 5-2. Clark believes a large part comes down to delegation.

“Personally, speaking of coach Tony Dungy [who coached Clark to a Super Bowl win]. He always talked about delegating. He wasn’t micro-managing everything. He trusted the men that he hired.

“He was a defensive guy so he was in the meetings and was more hands on, but he trusted Tom Moore [Indy’s offensive co-ordinator during Dungy’s tenure] and the offensive coaching staff to know what they needed to do.”

Both of McDermott’s co-ordinators were hired with him this off-season, but have bags of NFL experience. OC Rick Dennison has been coaching since 1995, and DC Leslie Frazier has been a part of two Super Bowl teams (as a player and coach) and has head coaching experience.

Clark feels it was a wise move. “That’s what smart coaches do - they don’t put all that on themselves. You want to overlook everything, help a little here and there, and keep that pulse.”

A lot of Dungy’s success also came down to one man - Peyton Manning. In order to have success, you need a quarterback. Clark spent most of his career with one of the best, but had a year in Baltimore with Buffalo’s starter Tyrod Taylor, and he shared his insight with Sky Sports. Can Taylor take this team to the next level?

“He’s a great team-mate and a guy who understands the system. He understands the philosophy of the offense, is very smart, and a great student. Tyrod was always dependable, responsible and just a great guy.”

On the field, that responsibility shows, and he takes care of the ball. He’s thrown 44 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions so far in his career (a 2.75 ratio). Among active players, only Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson are better than him in that category. He might be an underrated star.

“He was always upbeat. Now in a starting role, the team can rally around him. Guys play for him and he doesn’t have an ego. He just commands respect by doing.

“He’s not vocal, but he always waited for his chance, learned, and worked on getting better. As a backup, you only get a few reps and he was out there making the most of them. Now he’s getting his chance and he’s taking full advantage of it.”

Taylor spent three years sitting behind Joe Flacco in Baltimore, seeing little action before signing with the Bills in 2015. Clark explained what makes him unique.

“I think he can drop back and throw the ball. Russell Wilson can as well - I see similarities where they get more dangerous when the pocket breaks down and they can extend plays.”

Like Wilson, Taylor is known as a dangerous runner. But that doesn’t mean he can’t succeed from the pocket.

“I don’t think he’s limited to only rollouts and moving the pocket. I think he can definitely win as a drop back quarterback.”

Clark is confident in Taylor. The quarterback has put his team in a great position, and the AFC wild card race is wide open.

Tune in this Sunday when the Bills will have another chance to prove they are worthy of being taken seriously as they host the 3-4 Raiders live on Sky S[prts Arena from 4.30pm

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