Raiders News: Jon Gruden & Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott Share Mutual Praise
Jon Gruden
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have their work cut out as they get set to host the undefeated Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

The Bills are led by red-hot quarterback Josh Allen after throwing for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first three games of the 2020 NFL season. With the exception of their Week 3 tilt against a high-powered Los Angeles Rams’ offense, their defense remains as formidable as ever.

However, head coach Jon Gruden acknowledged that the biggest x-factor may very well come down to the matchup with his counterpart in head coach Sean McDermott.

The pair got acquainted back in 1998 with the Philadelphia Eagles when McDermott joined the scouting department while Gruden left his role as offensive coordinator to coach the Raiders. It is safe to say that there is a strong sense of mutual respect between both coaches, via Levi Edwards of the team’s website:

“I think No. 1, their head coach, [Sean] McDermott has done a great job,” said Coach Gruden. “He’s a hell of a football guy, this McDermott. I like everything about him. He’s one of the guys I respect the most in this business. He’s a grinder, he’s a loyal, hardworking, hard-nosed old-school football coach.”

McDermott echoed Gruden’s comments regarding the team’s biggest strength:

“My respect for Coach Gruden is off the charts,” McDermott said. “As you mentioned the greatest strength, I believe he is. He’s putting in place what he’s put in place to this point, him and Mike Mayock as well, I think they’re shaping a team to play well now but also in the future.”

While there is certainly no shortage of flattery going on between both coaches, the onus now falls on them to pinpoint each other’s weaknesses.

The Rams showed that the Bills are vulnerable after overcoming a 25-point deficit to nearly secure the comeback until a controversial penalty secured the latter’s victory. Although Allen’s emergence has paid huge dividends for the offense, he is still prone to mistakes under the right amount of pressure.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the Raiders will be able to overcome their own costly mistakes that resulted in a lopsided loss to the New England Patriots in Week 3. The fact that so many key players are currently on the mend with injuries is hardly an encouraging sign.

A win for the Raiders this week would make quite a statement for those expecting them to fall into the same bad habits from 2019.