And others, like receiver Tetairoa McMillan, tap into the coaches and teammates around them that have been through this gauntlet before.
“I mean, I feel like our team does a good job as far as preaching just winning this week, not looking too far ahead,” said McMillan. “So, obviously this week we have the Saints, and we just got to come out Sunday being 1-and-0 and then worry about the (Bucs) after that.”
For McMillan specifically, who has become a focal point of the offense in less than one season and helped expand the passing attack, it’s the balance of staying focused and locked in, combined with the chance to do something special as a rookie class (six members of the seven man class have carved out starting or significant contributing roles), that heightens this next month.
“I mean, if you feel the energy in the room, you know we have a chance to do something special, but we’re staying cool, calm, and collected at the same time,” explained McMillan.
“The main goal is to win, and I think I can speak for everybody, even though I haven’t experienced it, but everybody wants to make the playoffs and make a run for it. This team hasn’t done that in a long time, and we want to be that team that’s different, that team that has an opportunity to do something special, and I feel like you just feel that energy.”