The countdown to kickoff is on for the Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WHEC) — We’re less than four days away from the Bills kicking off the 2021-22 season and there’s a ton of hype around the team this year.

This is perhaps the most highly anticipated season for Sean McDermott’s squad since he took over as head coach back in 2017. Year four for him is when they hope to put it all together.

You might already know that McDermott led last year’s squad to the franchise’s first division title and playoff win in 25 years when they finished (13-3), tying the most wins they’ve had in any season.

The week one opponent: The Steelers, a team that’s been the other half of a budding rivalry. It’ll be the third time in as many years the two have played each other. Buffalo, of course, has won those past two but Pittsburgh is no slouch which is why McDermott is thankful his defenders face top-notch competition in practice.

"It can only help that our DB’s go against our guys," McDermott said. "I’m sure their DB’s feel the same way. It’s a good battle competitively on our field here, as you see it. It can only make you better if you’re wired the right way. That’s an important approach, if you will, that we have that we keep trying to be as competitive as we can through practice to make games very familiar for us."

At six, we’ll have more on how Buffalo is preparing for Pittsburgh under their new offensive coordinator. Don’t forget the NFL season kicks off Thursday night right here on News10NBC. With the defending champ Buccaneers hosting Cowboys at 8:20.