Buffalo Plus: 5 Players to Watch for Bills vs Jags on MNF

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell (remote), Dan Fetes
Date: September 22, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode dives into five pivotal players to watch during the upcoming Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. Drawing from years of deep Bills coverage, the Buffalo Plus team examines weird recent history between the franchises, highlights intriguing player matchups, and pinpoints pressure points that could decide the result.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

The "Weirdness" of Bills-Jaguars Matchups

• Historical Oddities:
  • Both hosts and Bills DT Ed Oliver agree—games between these teams have been odd and unpredictable.
  • Quote, Ed Oliver (A):
    "It's just a weird... I don't know what it is, man. Just a weird [game]… Y’all go back and watch it. I think the first time we played them, what was the score, like nine to six or something crazy?" [01:33]
  • Hosts reminisce about bizarre scores, defensive linemen interceptions, ugly London games, and the notorious Leonard Fournette "fight game."
  • Mike Catalana (B):
    "Over and again, the Bills have been such a good team, consistent over the last five, six years… But [the Jaguars] are still... a thorn in their side." [03:36]

1. Ed Oliver: Game-Wrecker Potential (Bills, DT)

• This is a put-up spot for Ed Oliver:
  • The Jaguars offensive line has struggled, especially in protecting Trevor Lawrence.
  • Both hosts see Oliver as “that disruptor,” a glass-eater capable of taking over games.
  • Dan Fetes (C):
    "Ed Oliver can be the type of guy that can ruin games by himself… Jags O-line is not very good. He needs to be that pressure up the middle that they've always wanted him to be, paid him to be." [04:28]
• Post-extension, Oliver’s performance has only improved, attributed partly to technical growth and patience during his NFL development.
  • Mike Catalana:
    "He got paid, and he's been even better." [05:20]
• Matchup to watch: Oliver vs. former Bill Mitch Morse, now anchoring the Jaguars' offensive line.
  • Fun fact: Mitch Morse splurged on a shopping spree at Old Navy after his extension.
    "Like, if that doesn't summarize who Mitch Morse is… his big shopping spree was at Old Navy." [07:32, C]

2. Baylon Spector: Next-Man-Up Pressure (Bills, LB)

• With Terrell Bernard unlikely, the spotlight is on Baylon Spector.
  • Seen as a dependable, prepared backup, but has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t started many NFL games.
  • Expect the Jags to target him with matchups—Evan Engram and Travis Etienne in particular.
  • Dan Fetes:
    "Insert every single cliche that you want for Baylon Spector. Don't try and be somebody you're not. Just do your 1/11th. Sean McDermott is incredible at coaching up backups." [09:37]
  • The Bills’ coaches invest in backup prep, watching film together and ensuring they're always ready.
• Spector has had more than a week to prepare—an improvement over being thrust in last minute.

3. Gabe Davis: Familiar Face, New Role (Jaguars, WR; former Bill)

• Davis has been targeted most frequently among Jags WRs, but with mediocre efficiency (~50% completion).
  • Dan Fetes:
    "This could be a game where he goes off. This could be one of those games that you see once every eight weeks for Gabe Davis to go off." [12:35]
• Hosts point out that Davis is a classic “number three” receiver, not a true threat as a #2 (now paid like one).
  • Mike Catalana:
    "He's an NFL player. But he doesn't scare anybody… instead of making two point some odd million a year, he's making 13 [million]." [13:36]
• Bills CBs Benford and Douglas, in strong form, expected to keep Davis contained.
• The “reunion tour” continues, with the Bills facing multiple former teammates in recent weeks.

4. Dalton Kincaid: Will He Break Out? (Bills, TE)

• While expectations were sky-high for Kincaid, his production is lagging.
  • The hosts anticipate renewed effort to target tight ends, exploiting Jacksonville’s vulnerability in this area.
  • Mike Catalana:
    "Dalton Kincaid has not... so far has not been that guy. Concerted effort in the last game to get him the ball. Jacksonville has a weakness against tight ends." [14:56]
• Kincaid suffered a minor in-game injury last week (accidental knee to the head), but re-entered later.
  • Hosts link Kincaid’s potential surge to the offense maturing into a balanced, multidimensional threat.
  • Dan Fetes:
    "If they want to take that next step as a complete offense, it's got to start with Kincaid." [15:41]
• With Jags’ elite pass rush, expect the Bills to focus on short, quick passes involving Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, and Shakir.

5. Tyler Bass: The Heat Is On (Bills, K)

• Bass is feeling pressure after recent misses and the Bills brought in kickers for tryouts this week.
  • Dan Fetes:
    "He is in the hot seat. Is. Is turned up. Bringing in kickers this week. I think that is all you need to know about where the Bills are." [17:47]
• Discussion on league-wide kicker expectations:
  • Sub-50 yarders should be “automatic” now, especially as game outcomes hinge more on special teams.
  • The team’s loyalty tactics—avoiding kicker competition in camp to boost confidence—may have waned in the face of performance problems.
• The hosts wonder how Bass got word about the tryouts—a direct call, his agent, or reading it online?
  • Mike Catalana:
    "You know what I wonder about? They're off on Tuesday. How does he learn that they had kickers in there? His agent call him? Does he just see it online?" [19:07]
• Both agree Bass could be “one kick away from being cut,” salary cap be damned.

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ed Oliver (defensive philosophy):
  "I speak life into it. So this game won't be weird. But the past two times been weird." [01:33]
• On Sean McDermott’s coaching of backups (Dan Fetes):
  "They give them the tutelage… it means so much to Sean McDermott… when these guys get in there, they're prepared because you never know what’s going to happen." [09:51]
• Gabe Davis physical profile (Dan Fetes):
  "He still looks like a guy that is too slow for the fast guys and not physical enough for the bigger guys. He is what he… Gabe Davis is what he is." [14:12]

Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:01 — Preview of "5 Players to Watch" segment
• 01:33 — Ed Oliver on the history and weirdness of Bills/Jags
• 04:24 — Ed Oliver analysis and the Mitch Morse connection
• 08:38 — Baylon Spector stepping in at linebacker
• 11:51 — Gabe Davis reunion & what the Bills know about him
• 14:49 — Dalton Kincaid's slow start and breakout potential
• 16:48 — Discussion of Jacksonville’s pass rush and how it impacts Bills' plans
• 17:47 — Tyler Bass’ struggles and the kicker question

Tone & Delivery

The episode is rich in locker-room insight, banter, and the kind of back-and-forth only veteran beat reporters can deliver. There’s humor (Mitch Morse’s shopping habits), candor (“one kick away from being cut”), and a realistic read on both the emotional and tactical stakes of the matchup.

Summary Table: Players to Watch & Why

| Player | Team | Reason to Watch | |--------------------|-------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Ed Oliver | Bills | Disruptive force, key to attacking Jags weak O-line | | Baylon Spector | Bills | Next-man-up, can he replace Bernard at LB? | | Gabe Davis | Jags | Former Bill, primary Jags WR but not a proven threat | | Dalton Kincaid | Bills | Bills' TE with breakout potential, Jags weak vs TEs | | Tyler Bass | Bills | Under pressure, Bills brought in competition at kicker |

For more detailed analysis and behind-the-scenes info, listen to the full podcast or follow Buffalo Plus for updates after the game.