Both cities are starving for a Super Bowl.

Both head coaches built their contenders from scratch.

Without a doubt, the finest game this weekend will take place at Ford Field between the Buffalo Bills (10-3) and Detroit Lions (12-1). Sean McDermott and Dan Campbell may seem like polar opposites in their postgame speeches. One curses like a sailor, the other does not. But both knew they needed to flip their respective buildings — and did it their ways.

Here’s a podcast discussing it all with our pal Jim Monos, the Bills’ former director of personnel.

We look back at the Bills’ 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and what McDermott could’ve done differently. His timeout at the goal-line has been debated nonstop, but that’s not what we focus on this conversation.

Big picture, this is a head coach who has unquestionably evolved for good since a particular series dropped one year ago. McDermott has mostly coached to win and seems determined to let Josh Allen be Josh Allen. Look no further than his fourth-and-2 moment against the Kansas City Chiefs. The loss to the Rams brought back some nightmares for some locals — should there be more January concern? This is the beauty of the NFL. Seven days later, another monster litmus test awaits. Both the Bills and Lions need this one.

Monos also touches on a variety of NFL topics.

Video and audio are accessible here at Go Long and inside your Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.

At one point on the show, I mention our past chat with ex-NFL QB Chris Simms. Here’s that link.

Go Long is your home for longform.

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ICYMI:

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Inside the sad case of Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: 'absolute freak' to 'major disappointment'

Ty & Bob Pod: Dan Campbell's 'Northern Savages,' Packers-Lions (growing) hatred & Sam Darnold's future

Matthew Stafford, the L.A. Rams and separating fact from fiction

The Case for Joe Schoen

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