After finding his feet in Carolina, Efe Obada is taking the next step in his NFL career.
Now at the Buffalo Bills – a playoff team for the fourth time in five years – Obada has taken success in his stride as he prepares for his first postseason game in the frozen tundra of western New York.
‘The approach is the same - the next game is the most important game. Everybody’s just making sure everybody's on the same page,’ says the 6ft 6in defensive lineman.
Efe Obada puts pressure on New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones on Boxing Day
‘Once you're in this building, you know you have to work and you have to do whatever you can to contribute towards the success of the team as a whole. And that's just that's really what it is.
‘We know the Patriots – we’ve played them twice already. They know us and it's just about who executes on that day. That's what it's going to come down to.’
Obada sacked former team-mate Cam Newton twice when the Bills beat Carolina in December
Buffalo wrapped up a second straight AFC East title and will host New England tomorrow after tying the series this season. The Patriots ground out a win in Buffalo in the first week of December, and Buffalo pounded their way to victory in Foxboro on Boxing Day.
The versatile Obada, who has 3.5 sacks this season, played two thirds of defensive snaps that day along the D-line, his most complete game since he joined Buffalo in January.
‘I’m here to support and help this team win in any way I can, whether its 50 snaps, one snap, whatever,’ he said. ‘As long as I’m out there, you’re going to get my best effort.’
Obada has settled in nicely into the NFL's top defense, becoming a rotational player
Obada entered the NFL thanks to the International Pathway Programme and has
