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Sean McDermott Explains Controversial Fake Punt Decision

Vendetta Sports Media / NFL / January 22, 2024

Sean McDermott Bills — (Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)

Sean McDermott Explains Controversial Fake Punt Decision

Down 27-24 in the fourth quarter, the Buffalo Bills decided to go with a fake punt on 4th-and-5 that would see Damar Hamlin try and run for a first down to keep the drive alive. The Chiefs’ special teams did not fall for the fake and prevented the Bills from continuing their drive. The Chiefs eventually the AFC Divisional Round contest on Sunday night 27-24.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott explained his decision to go for a fake punt.

“Just felt like we were having a hard time stopping them and they were up three at the time I believe it was and wanted to be aggressive,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters after the game. “You only get one chance and so I wanted to be aggressive. Obviously didn’t work but it’s the decision I made and you live with it.”

McDermott explained “the element of surprise” as one of the reasons why they decided to go with the special teams route instead of sticking with Josh Allen and the offense on 4th down.

The Bills were lucky to get a break when Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman fumbled the ball out of the endzone on the Chiefs’ drive after the failed fake punt, becoming a touchback and the Bills regaining possession.

🚨🚨WE HAVE A FOURTH QUARTER TOUCHBACK FROM KANSAS CITY🚨🚨

Is this the correct call??#NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/UF0kdfEDZL
— Vendetta Media (@VendettaVSM) January 22, 2024

It would have been a story for the ages if Hamlin was able to convert the 4th down, after suffering from cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 last season, and continue the Super Bowl dream alive for the Bills.

The Buffalo Bills have only appeared in the AFC Championship game once under Sean McDermott and have been knocked out of the playoffs six times during his tenure in Buffalo–half of those exits came against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

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Though making the playoffs continuously and multiple AFC East championships, the Bills have failed to win any real feats under McDermott. This raises the question if McDermott should keep his head coaching job in Buffalo.