Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Bills attack plan for Dolphins, optimism and pessimism for Super Bowl and great playoff moments
Date: January 13, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode of the Buffalo Plus podcast digs deep into the Buffalo Bills’ game plan for their Wild Card matchup against the injury-depleted Miami Dolphins. The hosts share their optimism and concerns about the Bills’ Super Bowl chances, analyze key strengths and weaknesses, and reminisce about the most memorable playoff moments from the Sean McDermott era.

Attack Plan for Dolphins (00:53 - 16:17)

Context:

• Third meeting of the season, Dolphins have to start rookie Skylar Thompson at quarterback due to Tua Tagovailoa's concussion.
• Miami is struggling with injuries across several key positions (both tackles, running game, etc.).

Key Points

• Defensive Philosophy: Attack, Attack, Attack

  • Mike (02:17): “Attack, attack, attack. That’s what I want to see... Get Josh in the offense going, confuse the heck out of Skylar Thompson—do not allow him comfort at all, especially early in the game.”
  • Dan (03:12): “Defensively, be aggressive. I think you push the envelope, you blitz... Rashawn McDermott's had success, 10 and 3 in his career against rookie QBs or first-time starters.”
  • Pressure is needed but balance to avoid letting Hill/Waddle break a short play for a long gain.

• Physicality and Forcing Turnovers

  • Jenna (04:33): “I expect the Bills to get after Skylar Thompson, kind of similar to what we saw in the Jets and Mike White. The aggression that you saw—I do expect this to be a very, you know, I don’t want to say blitz heavy, but I expect... a ton of pressure from Leslie Frazier.”
  • Emphasis on capitalizing on Miami’s lack of experience and injuries; turnovers are vital.

• Offensive Approach: Cautious vs. Aggressive

  • Dan (06:54): Advocates for a conservative, safe game plan: “Unless you turn the ball over, unless you throw interceptions, unless you fumble the ball... That’s the only way I can see the Bills losing.”
  • Mike (08:51): Prefers early offensive aggression: “Go score 20 in the first quarter, first half—go score it... Let the Dolphins know they ain’t coming back in this one.”
  • Jenna (10:19): Sees the Bills coming out aggressive, then shifting to a more controlling game if ahead: “If they were able to put up some points, then they would start running the ball more, eating up the clock—like all those things we’ve seen them do.”

• Field Goals Over Risks

  • Dan (06:54): “Field goals are going to be fine to beat Skylar Thompson. Don’t give him any momentum off a turnover or a short field. The end.”

Notable Quote

• Mike (02:17): “Light them up, let them know this is the playoffs. It’s a different speed and play like the Buffalo Bills.”

Super Bowl Optimism & Pessimism (17:17 - 29:40)

Reasons for Optimism

• Josh Allen in Big Moments

  • Dan (17:39): “It’s just the way that Josh has risen to big moments... They’ve won seven in a row. The fact that they’ve done it in sometimes ho-hum ways… they found ways to win in different ways, which I think is encouraging.”
  • Jenna (18:49): Adds that the team is more balanced, with an improved run game and James Cook providing a new dynamic.

• Resiliency and "Scar Tissue"

  • Mike (19:43): “It’s not team of destiny. It’s scar tissue for this year… They have found a way to win pretty, but certainly win on the uglier side. And I think that helps you in the playoffs.”

Reasons for Pessimism

• Turnovers, Particularly by Josh Allen

  • Jenna (22:57): “[The] turnovers that we’ve seen from Josh… uncharacteristic, especially down the line within the last month and a half.”
  • Dan (22:59): “I think they’ve turned into characteristic turnovers... it’s just kind of been the way this season has gone.”

• Gabe Davis’s Lack of Step-Up at WR2

  • Dan (23:25): Calls for recognition for his preseason skepticism on Davis: “That’s what concerns me.”
  • Jenna (24:07): “Davis has not done that... there are injuries involved… he is nowhere near what we expected him to be this season.”
  • Mike (24:09): "Dan is right... Gabe Davis’s issues permeate the entire offense.”
  • The offense has struggled to fill the WR2/secondary receiving threat; more reliance on Diggs, attempts to get other players (Knox, Beasley, Brown, McKenzie) involved.

• Defense of Diggs as the Key Factor

  • Dan (30:22): “When Stefan Diggs isn’t getting involved, the offense feels different... When Steph does catch the ball... the offense just rolls better and gets that swagger back. So... force the ball to Steph early and often.”

Notable Quotes

• Mike (19:43): “Just win. They’re not worried about style—play ugly, win the game if that’s what it takes.”
• Dan (23:25): “I want my flowers. And I want them from both of you guys. That’s what concerns me.” (On being right about Davis)

Breaking News: Matt Milano Named First Team All-Pro (31:54 - 33:04)

• Breaking news that linebacker Matt Milano received AP All-Pro honors.
• Mike (32:00): “That is the real AP Pro team... That’s impressive. I think he deserves it.”

Favorite Playoff Moments in the McDermott Era (33:35 - 42:35)

Hosts’ Top Playoff Memories

• Mike: The Start of the Josh Allen Era (Houston Playoff Loss, 2020) (34:29):

  • “They end up losing that game... but I love that moment for the franchise because it was the beginning of the Josh Allen experience.”

• Dan: The "Scar" from Houston (35:09):

  • Recalls Allen’s mistakes and heartbreak as foundational learning: “That felt like the first scar.”

• Jenna: "13 Seconds" Loss to KC (36:36):

  • Walking off the field after the 2022 divisional loss to the Chiefs, Allen’s devastation—“if this team wins the Super Bowl, that is the start [of the DVD] because... of how much fuel and straight up anger… that team has felt because of that moment.”

• Team: Taron Johnson’s 101-yard Pick-Six vs. Baltimore (2021 Playoffs) (41:06):

  • “That’s phenomenal,” “One of the biggest plays in Bill’s history,” the play changed the game and was a spark for the playoff run.

Notable Quotes

• Jenna (36:36): “Walking off the field with Josh Allen… it felt almost deafeningly quiet because you knew this team had come so close… the heartbreak was palpable.”
• Dan (41:06): “Taron Johnson. That’s phenomenal.”

Other Highlights & Stats

• Wild Card Home Favorites Stat (14:54):

  • Dan notes: “Wild card home favorites of nine points or more are 12-0 straight up, 11-1 against the spread over the last 30 years.”

• Josh Allen Playoff Stats:

  • Dan (16:22): “Josh Allen has the highest passer rating in NFL playoff history. Every single game he has played against the Dolphins, he has thrown at least two touchdowns.”

• Personal Touches:

  • Hosts mix humor and inside jokes (Skylar Thompson’s name, Dan's "flowers" for Davis skepticism).
  • Praise for team resilience and connection to the local fan base.

Time-Stamped Key Sections

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------|---------------| | Dolphins game plan: Pressure & Attack | 00:53–16:17 | | Super Bowl optimism & doubts | 17:17–29:40 | | Gabe Davis as WR2 issues | 23:25–29:55 | | Matt Milano AP All-Pro | 31:54–33:15 | | Favorite playoff moments | 33:35–42:35 |

Memorable Quotes

• “Light them up, let them know this is the playoffs. It’s a different speed and play like the Buffalo Bills.” — Mike (02:17)
• “Field goals are going to be fine to beat Skylar Thompson. Don’t give him any momentum.” — Dan (06:54)
• “Josh Allen has the highest passer rating in NFL playoff history.” — Dan (16:22)
• “That felt like the first scar.” — Dan, on Houston playoff loss (35:09)
• “If this team wins the Super Bowl, that [KC 13 Seconds loss] is the start [of the DVD].” — Jenna (36:36)
• “Taron Johnson. That’s phenomenal.” — Dan (41:06)

Tone & Takeaways

• Language & Tone: Engaging, candid, colloquial. Balanced between optimism (“just win”) and realism (concerns about turnovers and weapon depth). Banter and jokes maintain a light and accessible style.
• Utility: This episode delivers a rich preview of the Bills’ playoff approach, offers fan-level insight into the pulse of the roster, and tugs at the shared memories that define the current era for Buffalo.