NFL Media analysts made their Super Bowl LXI predictions on Thursday.
Sean McDermott recently took his shot at forecasting a matchup, as well.
The former Buffalo Bills head coach, who visited the Los Angeles Rams during training camp amid his year off from coaching, was asked on The Rich Eisen Show what could prevent L.A. from winning it all following a transformative offseason. While he likes the Rams to make it to the big game, McDermott noted there's other teams he also believes in -- namely, his former one.
"It would be Bills-Rams," McDermott said when asked about his Super Bowl prediction. "That would be a great Super Bowl, Bills-Rams. Listen, people ask me all the time, 'Hey, do you still root for your old team?' And I said, 'Why wouldn't I?' Of course I do. I mean, the impact that you want to have as a head coach on a team and a community, that's one thing, but man, oh, man, the impact that that team, that building and that community had on me and my family, we'll remember that for the rest of our lives. That's part of sports. The wins and the losses are important, but the impact you leave or that is left on people and the fan base, and them on you, that's the real part of sports."
The Bills fired McDermott in January following their Divisional Round exit, ending a partnership that had produced eight playoff trips and a 98-50 record over nine years, but never a Super Bowl berth.
Buffalo replaced McDermott by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, a move the club believed combined consistency with a new voice at the top that could finally help the Bills break through. Though none of their moves were as earth-shattering as the Rams' trading for Myles Garrett or having Aaron Donald unretire, the Bills went on to retool in a way that impressed McDermott.
They traded for DJ Moore, giving quarterback Josh Allen a certified WR1, and added pass rusher Bradley Chubb and defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a defense that's ranked in the top 12 in points allowed for five years running.
"With what they've done, the moves that (general manager) Brandon Beane has made and the activity they've had on the roster just over the last X amount of months, I think has been very important," McDermott said. "So, I think if you're betting on a Super Bowl contender, they're certainly one of them. I don't see why you wouldn't bet on them."
It's a humble move for McDermott to continue backing a team that moved on from him after nearly a decade of sustained success, and his humility carried over to his assessment of Buffalo's new man in charge.
"Most coaches come into a job where the organization is sick or unhealthy in some way," McDermott said. "Joe's coming into a job in a unique fashion. I think they are well positioned. I know Joe is going to do a phenomenal job. He spent four years in our building, and that's an advantage in and of itself. I have all confidence in Joe Brady moving forward for the Buffalo Bills."
Four NFL Media analysts predicted a Bills-Rams Super Bowl to cap off the 2026 season, with two expecting confetti to fall for Los Angeles and two calling a Buffalo victory.
McDermott did not provide a winner to break the tie, but it's not hard to guess who he'd be pulling for.
