LeSean McCoy understands narrow margins Bills are working with

LeSean McCoy understands the narrow margins the Bills are working with this season, but the Pro Bowl running back believes Buffalo has enough talent in place to return to the playoffs in 2018.

Coming off of a 22-0 loss at Green Bay, the Bills (1-3) host the Tennessee Titans (3-1) on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. seeking a statement win.

"I think the guys here we have can win now," McCoy said. "I mean, this is not the first time that a team has had a rookie quarterback that (could potentially reach) the playoffs and that wins games. It's not something that's never been seen or happened in the NFL."

Tennessee's lone loss this season was the record-length, weather-delayed game at AFC East-leading Miami in Week 1. The Titans have mustered three consecutive three-point wins since, even with injuries to crucial personnel, including quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Given the tight results in his first three victories as NFL head coach, Mike Vrabel and the Titans enter New York in the odd position of guarding against overconfidence while also fighting the temptation to undersell their 3-1 start.

"I have some experience in my past with things like that, so we'll try to point out the good, fix the bad and move on ... to Buffalo," said Vrabel, the former New England Patriots linebacker, in his best Bill Belichick tone. "If you don't play well in this league, I don't care where you play, I don't care who you play, you lose - that's the NFL."

What the Titans can get behind is coming out ahead in close games, a trait Vrabel said is usually hard-earned.

"We'd love to have some blowouts," Vrabel said. "I just don't see any in there. ... But when you can execute in the most critical situations, you have a chance."

With his offensive line getting healthy in front of him, Vrabel said he's measuring progress in quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota has been limited physically with an elbow injury that impacts his grip and ability to throw downfield with accuracy. The Bills are likely to force Mariota to prove he can get the ball up and over their man coverage, especially if wide receiver Corey Davis is out. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday due to illness.

Buffalo's best weapon last season, when the Bills broke a 17-year playoff drought, was McCoy. The offence is still built to run through the bell-cow back.

McCoy has only 21 carries for 85 yards as he recovers from fractured rib cartilage, which head coach Sean McDermott described as a more painful injury than broken ribs. The limited use of McCoy could end Sunday as Buffalo strives to preserve rookie Josh Allen and bring more balance to the offence. In the early going this season, McCoy's absence and the scoreboard have dictated a pass-heavy attack. Buffalo has been outscored 106-50.

"With Josh being a young superstar in the making he needs to go through these times where we're in close games. Whether we run the ball a lot or throw the ball a lot, each game is a new experience for him," McCoy said. "I don't look at it like we're just developing our franchise quarterback because our team, we're kind of older. The guys on defence who are stepping up and playing lights out for the last couple weeks to the main guys on offence, we're a little older. I think the main focus is on winning games. I don't think that the main focus is trying to develop Josh. I think that will come along with you trying to win games now."

(With inputs from agencies.)