Buffalo Plus: "10 Takeaways after Buffalo Bills Dominate Raiders"

Date: September 18, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team dissects the Buffalo Bills' dominant 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The crew delivers 10 detailed takeaways, spotlighting Josh Allen’s bounce-back, an effective running game, a stifling defensive performance, and notable shifts in coaching approach. The tone is upbeat and insightful, presenting both fan perspectives and expert analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Josh Allen’s Redemption and Evolving Playstyle

• The hosts agree this was the "restrained" version of Josh Allen, in sharp contrast to his error-prone performance in Week 1.
• Dan: "This is the Josh that we have come to know. It was a mature approach. ... a more restrained, refined Allen." (00:53)
• Allen checked down more often, avoided risky deep shots, but still delivered signature "Josh Allen" plays, including a hurdle attempt near the goal line—prompting admonishment and laughter from teammates.
• Mike: "He avoided the dumb plays." (02:21)

Notable Quote:

"I love feeling how I felt last week because it makes the good feel that much better. ... I take the bad with the good. I understand it, and I'm just trying to let it fuel me and use it to my benefit." — Josh Allen on handling criticism and bouncing back (03:01)

• Sean McDermott’s Insight on Mentality:

  "More than anything, it's humility. ... when you have games like last week, it forces you to be rather humble." (04:57)

2. Ken Dorsey’s Play Calling and Offensive Balance

• The team agreed this may have been offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s best game.
• There was consistent commitment to the run game and involvement of multiple receivers.
• Mike: "I thought Dorsey was great. I thought his play calling was great." (05:57)
• Dan: "Nine different Bills caught passes today." (07:13)
• Discussion on whether the Bills' success was due to Dorsey's play-calling or the Raiders' defensive weaknesses, with consensus leaning toward a mix of both. (06:47)

3. Running Game Emergence

• Rare game where the rushing attack was effective without Allen being the key runner.
• James Cook led with 126 yards (his first 100-yard game), supported by Latavius Murray and Damien Harris.
• Dan: "If you're the offensive lineman and you want to run the ball more, prove it." (07:46)

4. Offensive Line Improvement (Spencer Brown)

• Significant improvement noted for right tackle Spencer Brown, especially against Maxx Crosby.
• Mike: "They did a really good job ... keeping Crosby from really hurting the offense at all." (09:33)
• Allen's comment on Brown: "He's got all the talent. He's just gotta focus." (09:15)

5. Wide Receiver & Tight End Contributions

• Gabe Davis: Reliable and impactful, making tough catches, including a risky 4th-down conversion.
  Dan: "This was good, Gabe. ... This was dependable, Gabe." (09:53)
• Stefon Diggs: Quietly efficient, helped by more spread-out involvement.
• Khalil Shakir: Made a difficult catch in a critical moment, could see more opportunities as the season goes on. (11:04)
• Dalton Kincaid: Reliable and tough over the middle, signaled trust from Allen. (12:04)
  • Dan: "He just seems to be the guy. He took a lick in that end zone." (12:11)

6. Sean McDermott’s Aggressive Approach

• McDermott went for it on 4th down multiple times, showing greater trust in the offense.
• Dan: "Josh talks about ... you want to reward your coach for those decisions." (13:56)
• Notable moment where McDermott changed his mind and sent the offense back out after initially calling for a field goal. (13:25)

7. Defensive Dominance & Standout Plays

• Greg Rousseau: Set the tone with an early tipped ball leading to a Terrel Bernard interception.
  • Mike: "That Greg Rousseau play to deflect it ... really turned the whole game around." (15:12)
• Matt Milano: Highlight with a leaping interception over Josh Jacobs.
  • Dan: "Can a defensive player moss an offensive player? That was Moss. You got Mossed." (17:19)
• Ed Oliver: Consistently disruptive; cited by Dan Orlovsky for being “a beast.” (18:07)
• Entire defense credited with containing the run: held Josh Jacobs to a career-low -2 yards.

8. Special Teams’ Positive Impact

• Damien Harris: Provided a spark with kick returns.
• Tyler Bass: Consistently good.
• Dan: "Special teams was great." (19:25)

9. Team Mentality Shift and Quick Bounce Back

• Last week "sky was falling" after the Jets loss; this week, confidence restored in all three phases.
• Dan: "It was a bit of panic because it was week number one. But I thought the defense came back this week." (18:58)
• Players and coaches (Micah Hyde quoted) on learning quickly and not panicking.

10. Significance of Blowout Victory & Looking Ahead

• Emphasis on how rare it has been for the Bills to have an easy, convincing win in recent seasons.
• Mike: "It's nice to blow somebody out." (21:37)
• Both lines (O & D) dominated, contrary to past weaknesses.
• Dan: "Phenomenal performance." (22:03)
• Ken Dorsey given due credit for play calling after prior criticism. (22:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Fates (on Josh Allen):

  "We'll make all the analogies I can. This was the Josh you need." (04:35)

• Sean McDermott:

  "It's humility ... humble and hungry ... the minute you get out over your skis in this league is the minute you get bit." (04:57)

• Dan Fates (on defense):

  "Russo's been a monster. ... to see him have that Jordan Phillips almost nastiness ... he is on that cusp of being ... that guy." (15:41)

• Dan Fates (on the team’s bounce back):

  "All three phases were a massive factor in the win." (19:25)

• Mike Catalana (on having an easy win):

  "Go back to last year... nothing was easy ... it's nice to blow somebody out." (21:15, 21:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:53: Josh Allen’s mature, restrained performance discussed.
• 02:47: Josh Allen describes how he handled criticism and last week’s lows.
• 04:57: Sean McDermott shares thoughts on humility and rebounding after tough games.
• 05:57: Hosts praise Ken Dorsey's play calling.
• 07:13: Nine different Bills catch passes; offensive balance noted.
• 09:33: O-line's improvement and Spencer Brown focus.
• 09:53: Gabe Davis’s strong contributions detailed.
• 11:04: Khalil Shakir’s key catch and understated role explained.
• 12:04: Dalton Kincaid’s middle-of-field presence highlighted.
• 13:25: Sean McDermott's aggressive 4th down decisions.
• 15:12: Greg Rousseau’s impact play recounted.
• 17:19: Matt Milano’s interception described as “mossing” the opponent.
• 18:07: Ed Oliver’s dominance on the D-line, per Elias and Dan Orlovsky.
• 19:25: Special teams and all three phases praised.
• 21:15–21:44: Rarity and importance of an easy, convincing win.
• 22:25: Ken Dorsey receives praise for his performance.

Conclusion

Buffalo Plus’s team delivers an engaging, thorough breakdown of the Bills’ much-needed rebound. The hosts detail how Josh Allen, the offensive line, Ken Dorsey, the running game, and the defense all delivered standout performances. The episode celebrates the complete team effort, highlights key individual improvements, and notes why this convincing win sets a positive tone for the weeks ahead.