Quarterback and running back have been part of NFL posteason and say if Bills want to join the party, it's all in the details

ORCHARD PARK — The Buffalo Bills are saddling their postseason dreams on offense to quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy. In order to succeed, the pair said on Wednesday they’ll draw from their own playoff experiences.

While not with the Bills, both Taylor and McCoy have spent time in the postseason. Prior to joining the Bills (8-6), Taylor was Joe Flacco’s backup in Baltimore and was on the Ravens’ roster when they won Super Bowl XLVII. What Taylor took from that experience was to not get too far ahead of himself.

“Just to take it one day at a time. Of course, the big picture’s there, but you can’t move too far ahead,” he said. “Take it one practice at a time, empty your tank into one day, getting better that day and going out and executing on Sunday or on game day. Like I said, you can’t think too far ahead. It’s literally one day at a time.”

During their race to the postseason and perhaps beyond, the Bills will likely lean on McCoy more so than Taylor. That’s how things have gone the past three years in Buffalo’s backfield. Fresh off his third straight Pro Bowl honor with the Bills, McCoy discussed how it’s hard for him to not try to do too much.

“Sometimes it’s tough,” he said. “Sometimes I get carried away with trying to do too much, trying to make the big play. A team like this, everybody has to handle their job. Be disciplined, be focused and be prepared. I can’t try and go out there and do too much. Just stick with the game plan, hope the guy next to me is doing his job and we’re playing together as a team.”

In terms of McCoy’s postseason experience, he’s cracked the second season three times with the Philadelphia Eagles, in 2009, 2010, and 2013. All three times he failed to win a game. But what he learned from these experiences was similar to what Taylor expressed. Don’t forget the little things.

“Just let them know how important it is. Each week is important. The preparation is key,” said McCoy. “Being prepared, knowing your assignments, knowing what to do, and around this time, we’ve got to play smart football. That’s how you win games. We need a big win. It’s a big game for us, so that’s just the biggest thing you should know about trying to get into the playoffs. This game right here is important so you’ve got to be smart and got to prepare.”

But in an unfortunate twist, those are the things Taylor said the Bills lacked the last time they faced the New England Patriots (11-3), who they’ll face on Sunday on the road at Gillette Stadium.

“Lack of execution across the board. That starts with me. I didn’t play particularly well that game,” said Taylor. “(There are a) bunch of plays I’d like to have back. Across the board, we were a few plays off just by assignments. Just looking back at that film, definitely a lot that we had to learn. Guys, I believe, have cleaned up those mistakes and are ready to go back out there and compete again this weekend.”