Home field advantage is a real thing in the NFL. While we have seen road teams be successful in someone else’s house, being in front of your own home fanbase in your stadium gives you a great advantage. When it comes to the Buffalo Bills, there is no other fanbase like Bills Mafia.
The fanbase for the Bills is extremely passionate and they show up for the Bills, home or away. You always see fans traveling, coming to the games in cold weather, and staying until the end. When it comes to fall, no one does it better than Bills fans.
Even though Highmark Stadium never fails to not be loud against opposing teams, the passion can sometimes be a challenge for the defense in Buffalo.
Terrel Bernard explains what Bills defense must prepare for during home games
Bills’ linebacker Terrel Bernard recently appeared on Eric Wood’s podcast, Centered on Buffalo, and he talked with Wood about what he has to do in order to get the defense prepared on communication during a home game. Wood asked Bernard how tough it is to communicate amongst the defense.
“Yeah, for sure man. It is insane. People forget, when we’re at home, that’s like our version of a road game. You can’t speak to the guy next to you, you can’t really do what you do on the road.” said Bernard.
“I have the guys in the backend. We have a back seven meeting on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday where it’s just the players. We’re kind of in there talking about if this situation pops up, I’ll give you this signal and that means this. You kind of have to build a new language. And once you get deeper into the season, you can’t keep putting the same signals on tape. You change that up every so often.” Bernard added.
Terrel Bernard says a home game feels like a road game for the defense. Anyone ever think of it that way? #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/gxuSSIKK0G
— Centered on Buffalo (@thebuffalopod) June 20, 2026
First, this shows just how great Bills Mafia is at home and how loud they can be. At the same time, it definitely does make sense as to why Bernard would say this. Fans are always active during the game, especially when the opposing offense is on the field. Anything that they can do in order to help the defense is expected.
However, it can be tricky for the defense to communicate especially during crucial moments. This coming season, with a new Highmark Stadium and a new era at head coach with Joe Brady, Bills fans are going to be loud and they are hoping that this coming season will finally be the year that a Lombardi trophy comes to Buffalo.
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