Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills and Bass Beat Dolphins in NAIL-BITER – Another Resilient Win for Buffalo

Episode Date: November 4, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Main Theme:
A thrilling, hard-fought Buffalo Bills victory over the Miami Dolphins marked by Tyler Bass’s franchise-record 61-yard game-winning field goal. The Buffalo Plus team delivers in-depth analysis of the game’s emotional highs, crucial plays, and the qualities of resilience and mental toughness that carried the Bills to a 30-27 win.

Episode Overview

• Main Story:
  The Buffalo Bills clinch a nail-biting win over their divisional rivals, the Miami Dolphins, thanks to Tyler Bass's redemption performance—a 61-yard field goal at the buzzer. The episode dives deep into Bass’s journey, key plays and turning points, defensive struggles, and what this victory says about the team's resilience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tyler Bass’s Redemption and Emotional Game-Winner

• The episode kicks off with the emotional journey of Tyler Bass, who struggled earlier in the game but delivered in the biggest moment.
• Quote (Tyler Bass, 00:11, 02:53):
  “It means everything. Very emotional. Haven’t really processed it yet, but just put in a lot of work, man, and just was just focused on right here, right now, the present and being patient with everything, man... we did that today, so just very emotional, I would say.”
• The hosts highlight the pressure and mental toughness of Bass, noting he was already “on the field” before the coaches made the call (05:24).
• Quote (Mike Catalana, 05:24):
  “Normally the winds are very different. It was a unique wind... we took advantage of it. We had that wind in the fourth quarter... there was a sense of confidence, but we can say all we want — you’re talking 61 yards to win the game.”

2. Locker Room and Coaching Faith

• Sean McDermott's Reaction (03:16): “So proud of him... got emotional in my little postgame speech... just the trials and tribulations he’s been through this year... 61 yard field goal to win a game against a division rival, that’s what stories are made of. And I love him.”
• Team and coaching staff stood by Bass through struggles, including bringing in another kicker mid-season.

3. The Emotional Toll & What This Moment Means

• Josh Allen’s Emotional Support:
  Josh Allen was visibly emotional post-game, reinforcing the magnitude of the moment for Bass and the team (05:59).
  “We don’t often see Josh emotional like that.”
• The Highs and Lows of a Kicker’s Job
  "It’s so crazy to be a kicker. It is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows... That is your job." – Dan Fetes (07:30)

4. Game Flow and Penalty Discussion

• Pivotal Penalties:
  A critical penalty by Jordan Poyer on Keon Coleman was called “reckless, stupid, violent, like dangerous” (Dan Hanzus, 09:02).
  “That would have been a penalty in 1980. That was so out of left, his feet, defenseless receiver, helmet to helmet.” – Dan, 09:02
• Jordan Poyer’s Perspective:
  "Just playing football. I thought it was a clean play... just playing football is tough." – Jordan Poyer (Quinton Morris quoting Poyer, 09:44)
• The penalty extended the Dolphins’ drive, keeping the game in the balance (10:00).

5. Bills’ Offensive Inconsistencies & Defensive Struggles

• Bills offense faltered before halftime due to holding penalties and key drops, but managed a drive to set up a Bass field goal (11:17).
• Josh Allen’s Run Called Back:
  "Josh with a great run, and it gets called back. I thought ticky tack is almost nice..." – Mike Catalana (11:34)
• The defense struggled to stop the Dolphins, allowing long runs and consistent 2nd-and-short situations (13:16).
• Insight on Defensive Issues:
  “It just felt like every single second down was second and three, second and two... They got pushed around at the line of scrimmage.” – Dan Hanzus (13:21)
• The hosts drive home the point that Miami played one of their best games yet still lost, indicating Buffalo’s clutch resilience (15:14, 15:24).

6. Key Momentum Shifts

• Turnover Spark:
  Taron Johnson’s forced fumble and Kair Elam’s recovery after halftime shifted momentum (12:18).
• Touchdown Heroes:
  Mack Hollins and Quinton Morris each had big TDs, underlining the 'next man up' mentality (16:43).

7. Coaching, Resilience, and Finding Ways to Win

• Hosts use a baseball analogy: Not every game has to be a perfect showing to be a winning one.
  “To get gouged in the run game, to lose the line of scrimmage battle... and still find a way to win. That says a lot about [the team’s] resiliency.” – Dan Hanzus (15:37)
• Bills have trailed at halftime in five games, and have repeatedly come back for the win (16:25).
• "It's been different guys in different moments, stepping up." – Jenna Cottrell (16:26)

8. Defensive Depth and Concerns

• Daquan Jones and the interior have not looked the same; Eli Ankou a potential bright spot against the run (22:11).
• The group acknowledges size/matchup problems up front with modern fast, small-defensive trends hurting vs. power run teams (22:53–23:20).
• Pass rush depth flagged as an area to address, particularly with Von Miller looking less impactful (25:01).
• Dan Hanzus on Rousseau (23:56):
  “I’m ready to pay Greg Rousseau... I continue to see the flashes... I still think that even when he’s not putting up massive numbers... he set the edge a couple times.”

9. Notable & Lighthearted Moments

• The 'Fan' Touchdown Story (16:52):
  During a dog adoption event, a social media slip-up called Quinton Morris (actually a Bills player) a "fan."
  “So the fan caught a touchdown!” – Mike Catalana and Dan Hanzus
• Play Design Praise:
  “That was sexy by Joe Brady... That was hot.” – Dan Hanzus (18:20–18:45)
• The panel pokes fun at themselves for their tangents, embracing their casual, candid show style (17:59–18:20).
• Flyover Stories (27:09):
  Praising the military flyover during the game, and Reed Ferguson gets a shout-out for perfect long-snapping on Bass’s game-winner.

Memorable Quotes

• “Just when I thought you couldn’t do anything any dumber, you went and totally redeemed yourself!” – Dan Hanzus, referencing Dumb and Dumber, on Tyler Bass (00:00, 02:48)
• “He made the kick. That’s it.” – Sean McDermott (07:27)
• “It's so crazy to be a kicker. It is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows... That is your job.” – Dan Fetes (07:30)
• “You’re talking about 61 yards to win the game.” – Mike Catalana (05:24)
• “They got pushed around at the line of scrimmage. It wasn’t a great defensive showing.” – Dan Hanzus (13:21)
• “That says a lot about their resiliency.” – Dan Hanzus (15:37)
• “It's been different guys in different moments, stepping up.” – Jenna Cottrell (16:26)

Key Timestamps

• 00:11: Tyler Bass reflects on his emotional game-winning kick
• 02:48: Hosts discuss Bass’s redemption and what the moment meant
• 03:16: Coach McDermott’s emotional praise of Bass
• 05:24: On Bass’s confidence and wind advantage for the kick
• 09:02: Discussion of Jordan Poyer’s penalty and its impact
• 11:17: Bills’ first-half offensive stumbles and key penalties
• 12:18: Taron Johnson’s forced fumble, a game’s momentum swing
• 13:16–13:55: Analysis of persistent run-defense issues
• 15:37: Analogy and reflection on resilience despite not playing “A” game
• 16:43: Shout-outs for touchdown contributors Quinton Morris, Mack Hollins, Ray Davis
• 18:20: Praise for Joe Brady and creative play-calling
• 22:11–23:20: Discussion of run defense and the NFL’s size/speed matchups
• 23:56–24:56: Dan pushes for Greg Rousseau’s contract extension
• 27:09: Reed Ferguson’s long snapping and flyover talk

Conclusion

• The Buffalo Bills, now 7-2, continue to prove their mettle in tight divisional games, overcoming adversity through resilience, clutch performances, and contributions from unexpected heroes.
• Tyler Bass’s dramatic, record-setting field goal capped a game that showcased both the team’s vulnerabilities and their depth of resolve.
• The team and coaching staff receive praise for steadying the ship during tough stretches, maintaining belief, and focusing on improvement.