Bills BIG plays return, Steelers can't compete

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast: "Bills BIG Plays Return, Steelers Can't Compete"

Date: October 10, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Dan Fetes, Jenna Cottrell

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Buffalo Bills’ dominant 38-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, focusing on the return of explosive plays, standout performances from Josh Allen, Gabe Davis, and emerging rookie Khalil Shakir (pronounced "Shakur"), and a critical look at both teams’ strategies and outlooks. The analysts break down game-defining moments, the Bills' offensive resurgence, defensive stoutness, and tease the highly anticipated upcoming showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Return of the Big Play Offense

Timestamps: 00:34 – 06:51

• Explosive plays finally return. The Bills revitalized their offense with several chunk plays, including single-play, two-play, and three-play touchdown drives—addressing previous weeks’ struggles with sustainability and lack of big gains.
• Gabe Davis sets the tone. Despite early adversity (bad kick return, pinned at their own 2-yard line), Allen connected with a healthy-looking Gabe Davis for a record-tying 98-yard touchdown.
  • Mike Catalana: “Josh Allen’s poise in the pocket...Gabriel Davis speed and his ability to get free on third down…” (01:05)
  • Dan Fetes (on shooting the play): “As soon as the ball’s in the air...you just hear the roar of the crowd…” (01:35)
• Gabe’s health was key. The panel credits Davis’ healthier appearance in practice for this breakout, as he’d been limited by an ankle injury leading up to this week.
  • Dan Fetes: “He was the best that he has looked at practice this week…that set the stage.” (04:24)

2. Josh Allen’s Performance: Flashes of Brilliance, Minor Nitpicks

Timestamps: 06:51 – 08:47

• Allen’s highs and “lows”: Josh threw for over 300 yards in the first half, but analysts still note a few missed throws and batted passes.
  • Mike Catalana: “Your quarterback is that good. It is nitpicking. You expect greatness out of Josh every week, and when he’s not great, he still has moments of greatness.” (08:13)
  • Even Allen self-critiques: after a record half, he lamented the misses more than the milestones.
  • Dan Fetes: “He was asked after the game...what does it feel like when you throw for 300 yards in the first half? He’s like, ‘nah, I was kicking myself.’” (07:33)

3. Secondary Receiving Weapons Emerge

Timestamps: 09:00 – 12:25

• Khalil Shakir’s (pronounced Sha-KOOR) debut touchdown. The rookie took on a bigger role due to injuries, showing reliable hands minus a “tragic” drop, and exemplified the “always ready” mantra.
  • Mike Catalana: “Getting this kid going...I think his game will evolve.” (09:44, 10:48)
  • Dan Fetes: “For him to bounce back...he makes the most of them and he’s sure handed.” (10:58)
• Leadership moments: Allen recovered the touchdown ball for Shakir after he forgot to keep it—“That’s a captain move.” (13:01)
  • Mike Catalana: “Allen got the [ball]: ‘What are you doing, pal?’” (13:02)

4. The Running Game: Still a Footnote

Timestamps: 13:25 – 14:39

• Despite a late James Cook touchdown and “okay” numbers, the Bills’ rushing attack remains unimpressive and largely irrelevant when Allen is throwing for 400+.
  • Dan Fetes: “Don't do this, don’t do this [about over-hyping the run game].” (13:30)
  • Mike Catalana: “Devin Singletary is the back of this team...they’re not a running team today.” (13:56)

5. Steelers' Struggles and Thoughts on Kenny Pickett

Timestamps: 15:15 – 16:53

• Tomlin’s questionable decisions: The panel criticizes the Steelers’ conservative choices (attempting field goals when way behind).
  • Mike Catalana: “You cannot be kicking field goals at 24-3 and 31-3. What are you telling your team?” (15:17)
• Kenny Pickett gets some credit.
  • Mike Catalana: “He never looked rookie-ish...He showed me a lot for a guy who lost the game 38-3.” (16:31)
  • Dan Fetes: “George Pickens is going to be a monster.” (16:10)

6. Defense Remains Elite

Timestamps: 17:34 – 18:42

• Maintaining dominance: Despite injuries, the Buffalo defense remains relentless and has allowed just 7 second-half points all season.
  • Mike Catalana: “They take the will of the other team away...your offense bludgeons them, and the defense is like, well, we’re not giving anything up.” (18:39)
• Special praise for Tyrel Dodson (stepping in at linebacker), Damar Hamlin, and the imminent return of key secondary pieces.

7. Physicality Redefined

Timestamps: 17:34 – 19:34

• The Bills “kick your ass” not with a ground game but with explosive passing and defensive suffocation.
  • Dan Fetes: “This Bills team can kick your ass, but they can do it with just Josh Allen and their weapons.” (17:34)
  • Mike Catalana: “This team again will just manhandle you in a different way.” (19:36)

8. Looking Ahead: Chiefs Showdown

Timestamps: 19:34 – 21:21

• Anticipation for Kansas City: The analysts look forward to a marquee matchup of Mahomes vs. Allen, both considered current MVP frontrunners.
  • Mike Catalana: “To me, these are your MVP favorites playing in the game...Allen's coming off 400 yards...” (20:32)
  • Dan Fetes: “We’ve forgotten a little bit about Mahomes, and he’s still really, really good.” (20:41)
  • Discussion of how KC’s offense has changed without Tyreek Hill—less explosive, possibly more balanced.

9. Credit for Ken Dorsey & Coaching

Timestamps: 21:21 – 23:14

• Ken Dorsey’s adjustments: The OC earned praise for creative playcalling, especially the aggressive deep shot to open the game.
  • Mike Catalana (quoting McDermott): “He said...when they went deep to Gabe for the first touchdown...the play that Dorsey called, I thought was outstanding.” (22:13)
  • McDermott per Dan Fetes: “Throw the touchdown.” (22:15)
• Coach & GM shout outs: Leslie Frazier’s handling of defensive injuries gets high marks; Brandon Beane gets nods for Von Miller signing.
  • Dan Fetes: “I don’t think Leslie Frazier is getting enough credit for what he’s done...” (22:49)

10. Lighthearted Moments & Press Box Talk

Timestamps: 23:14 – End

• The team banters about Tony Romo’s odd shirt, Vincent Van Miller’s self-promoting wardrobe, and critiques the Press Box food (“worst sandwich I’ve had so far” - Dan, 24:55); closing with plans for BBQ in Kansas City.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the 98-yard TD:
  • Mike Catalana: “He hits 98 yards. It ties the record...But this was a great play and it really was just the start of what they were going to do.” (03:16)
• On Josh Allen’s standard:
  • Mike Catalana: “It is nitpicking...when he’s not great, he still has moments of greatness.” (08:13)
• On Khalil Shakir’s first TD ball:
  • Dan Fetes: “Never let it leave my sight.”
  • Mike Catalana: “But he did. Now, who came to his rescue? The quarterback. That’s a captain move.” (12:59)
• On Steelers kicking field goals:
  • Mike Catalana: “What are you telling your team?” (15:17)
• On Bills’ toughness without old-school running:
  • Dan Fetes: “This Bills team can kick your ass...with just Josh Allen and their weapons.” (17:34)
• On Von Miller’s fashion:
  • Dan Fetes: “Imagine wearing a shirt with your... you’re on it.” (23:16)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:34: Discussion of Buffalo’s search for explosive plays
• 01:35: Behind the lens for Gabe Davis’s 98-yard touchdown
• 05:25: Gabe Davis’s “grown man” touchdown over Minka Fitzpatrick
• 07:33: Allen’s self-critique after a near-perfect half
• 09:00: The emergence of Khalil Shakir
• 13:30: Running game analysis
• 15:15: Steelers’ coaching decisions and Pickett’s performance
• 17:34: Bills’ physicality and defensive dominance
• 19:34: Chiefs game preview and Allen vs. Mahomes MVP debate
• 21:21: Credit for Dorsey, Frazier, Beane
• 24:45: Fun press box food conversation

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Summary

The Bills bounce back from weeks of “pulling teeth” on offense by overwhelming the Steelers with big plays and reminding the AFC of their elite potential—just in time for a monumental duel with the Chiefs. The show highlights returning stars and emerging contributors, calls out risky coaching across the field, and features plenty of Buffalo personality, both serious and lighthearted. For fans wanting confidence in this Bills team and some inside perspective before Chiefs week, this episode delivers.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Welcome to the Buffalo plus podcast. Please make sure to like, comment, download, subscribe, whatever else you want to do to listen to Buffalo Plus Rate. You gotta rate us. Give us a nice high rating. Mike Catalano along with Dan Fates post game after the Bills victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dan, what did we talk about this week? Where are the big plays for the Bills? I think we found them.

[B]

Yeah, it was at nauseum that we were wondering. This offense, you know, no explosive plays, no big chunk plays. You know, they've had long drives, but we both said that's not sustainable. They had drives tonight of one play, of three plays, of two plays. That is what we want to see.

[A]

Let's about that first play. Okay, so for those of you who don't know, Dan's on the field shooting the game with his camera. Now. Let's start with this key things. There were three keys to that touchdown. Josh Allen's poise in the pocket.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Gabriel Davis speed and his ability to get free on the third down. And Dan's ability to know to be in front of the play.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Understanding that he had so much faith in Josh Allen. You didn't go behind Josh Allen like the other guys. You went in front of him. You said, josh, throw it. I'll be there when Gabe runs in the end zone.

[B]

Because that when you're, when you shoot a game and you're thinking in your head like the play that you can't miss, like, unfortunately, I missed Kyer Elam's interception.

[A]

No, no, we don't, we don't care.

[B]

Correct. But, but I'd always be kicking myself if you went, man, you missed the 98 yard touchdown because he's running away from you. So you take the gamble. And as soon as the ball's in the air, it's so funny when you're watching it through the lens, you just see the ball, but you hear the crowd. So I have no idea what the coverage is. I have no idea if they're open or not, but you just hear the roar of the crowd. Much like Josh Allen who said he also, he was hit as he was letting it go, so he didn't know where it was, didn't know if it was caught. So Josh and I both had the same vantage point of the ball's in the air and Gabe runs under it.

[A]

So Josh was on one side, you were 100 yards plus in the other direction. And he makes that play. And look, the Bills are much better than the Steelers. They were going to win this game, but it's early in the game.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

We did get a chance to see the opening kickoff. Taiwan Jones, which I said is his first and last kick return of the season.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And I don't know. Taiwan, known for his special teams, not known for his return ability. Fumbled it, messed around. Next thing you know, they're at the, you know, two yard line. Now it's third down. So when I say they were going to win the game anyhow, they're the better team. But it was early and the Steelers had a little life. They had the Bills third and long.

[C]

Agreed.

[A]

And they need that play. And you got Gabe coming back. Look, he played, but Gabe wasn't healthy. And you got Josh Allen, who had to struggle through everything to score 20, 20 points plus in the last couple of games, what'd they have, 17 and 23 or whatever the numbers were.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Everything was pulling teeth.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And then what's he do? Hits 98 yards. It ties the record. You, you know, the old fits to. To 98 yarder in Jacksonville that, you know, whatever in those ugly uniforms that they got that one. But this was a. Was a great play and it really was just the start of what they were going to do.

[B]

Yeah. And going back to it, too. I can't. We said there were a few reasons on the podcast and we did it on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel, was the fact of where why was the lack of plays, you know, trying to find the explanations. One of them we said was injuries, specifically to Gabe Davis, because he was one of the guys that we saw when healthy in la, was a guy that was the explosive plays, the big plays down the field. And look, Gabe is as tough as they come as a wide receiver, but watching him at practice the last two weeks, you could tell he just wasn't himself. Sean McDermott said that his best football was in front of him, that he was gutting it out. He said it's easier not to try and play through an ankle injury. He said it was hard for him to do it and for him to bounce back this week. I said, I go, I bet on Uncle Dan's best bets. I said, I think Gabe Davis has a big week because he's the best that he has looked at practice this week. Josh Allen said on Saturday's walkthrough, he had a bounce in his step and he thought, all right, he's back. So that set the stage because, Mike, I'm with you. Taiwan fumbles that ball, kicks it around, sitting there on the field going, boy, this is the. It's hard to Dream up. Or, you know, imagine a worse start for two plays.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then, Gabe.

[A]

Yeah, they get the touchdown. Then they kick to the Steelers, who proceed to, like, mess up the kickoff. The Bills ended up giving that one back, but. But the game was still a game. You know, the Steelers drove down, they got a field goal. We'll talk about Kenny Pickett in a moment. But it's 13:3. And then they explode again. Now, that second Gabe touchdown. It was a good throw by Josh. Yeah, it was a great, physical, dominating play by Gabe.

[B]

That's what we've always wanted to see is, like I said, he goes up with his right hand over his shoulder to kind of corral the ball, and he kind of corrals it into Minka Fitzpatrick's arms. And then he just says, I'll take it back. I just want that back. So just a grown man touchdown, as I would call. As I would call it. Just taking the ball away from the little kid. But again, it's another one of those plays.

[A]

And hold on. This is against Minka Fitzpatrick. You know, this is a. One of the top safeties in the league. And he makes that play and then he just, you know. You know, that's one of those you're going to see back over and over again. Yeah, and that was. But that was the short one. That was only 62 yards, correct. Yeah.

[B]

And it's funny because that was like the long one to Diggs against the Titans was another one where I could kind of see Gabe running through my camera. And when Josh went to let it go, I was like, oh, I know he's in the middle of the field, because that's where I saw Gabe cutting to. And again, another. It took me a replay to see. I don't think in full speed, you appreciate the level of difficulty that that play requires. And it's another time where Joshua says, I've got so much trust in 13. Look, it is on Minka Fitzpatrick. Like, you do have to be able to say, hey, Gabe, go, go make a play. And again, great effort. Great, great effort by Gabe. But trusting that throw and to give your guy a chance goes all to Josh Allen, who was Mike phenomenal.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, look, he was phenomenal. And I got a little grief from people. I tweeted out at one moment, I said, josh made that great throw, but then he missed Diggs wide open in the end zone.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And then he under threw Gabe and it was picked off. And he had two passes batted down. So that's why the game was only 13 to 3.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And then I quote, tweeted myself and said, yeah, and then this throw to Gabe, and then. Then he got rolling.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And if you think about it at that moment when he had the long play and then not a lot going. Right. And then all of a sudden, he's going again, and he throws for three and change in the first half. Remember when he couldn't throw for 300 in a game?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And he said that he missed some throws. Like you were saying. He was asked after the game by reporter. You know, what does it feel like when you throw for 300 yards in the first half? He's like, nah, I was kicking myself. It's like, that is where, like, you guys think. Mike, to your point. And it's kind of funny that you say, like, anytime you go to criticize Josh, sometimes the mob comes for you to say. Like, you can't. That wasn't his fault. That was, you know, that was a drop by this person or that person ran the wrong route. Josh can criticize himself. So. So can we, because.

[A]

Well, here. Yes. And here's the thing about it, is he's going to say that we're saying it, because I'd say to Bills fans, your quarterback is that good.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

So it is nitpicking. It's like you expect greatness out of Josh every week, and when he's not great, he still has moments of greatness.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

It's rare when the guy is, you know, like, I guess you'd say Jacksonville last year. That's a rarity.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Just wasn't Josh in that game, other.

[B]

Than that, in Baltimore, not a great first half, and then took over in the second.

[A]

This is what I'm saying is in today and for this game, you're looking at it going, yeah, he had a couple of little misses, and then he gets going. Then he gets Diggs going.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And Diggs is, you know, after he had missed him before, Diggs caught everything from that moment on. And the other guy, and I think this is big long term, is Khalil Shakur.

[B]

Shakur.

[A]

That's the way he likes it pronounced.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

It's the way they were pronouncing it in the PA in the press box.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Even though it looks like Shakir, he likes Shakur. So that's what we were told. So I don't even know what they said on the broadcast, by the way. Speaking of the broadcast, I only saw glimpses of it. What the heck's with Romo's brown shirt and a tie? Seriously?

[B]

Tony, is that he went brown undershirt, brown dress shirt.

[A]

Dress shirt.

[B]

Seriously, put a hoodie on.

[A]

Anyhow, I didn't hear what Nance was saying, friends, but I did see that shirt and I had to comment on it. But my point is getting this kid going. Yeah, you're going to get mackenzie back. I say that then now. And Knox will come back.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

So I'm going to say weapon wise, it's starting to come back around. But Gabe, I think, honestly, Gabe is a key to the whole thing offensively with the pass catcher.

[B]

I absolutely agree. Because before this game, before every game, it seems like recently we have said that opposing defenses just need to take away Diggs. That's your game plan. If you're the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, you're coming in here saying, let somebody else beat us, because they did. And Gabe Davis was the one this week who had been kind of quiet. Look, Gabe will be the first one to say that it's been frustrating with his ankle and all those things. But then you're also missing Isaiah McKenzie and Jameson Crowder, your two guys that are mainly in your slot, and Dawson Knox, who's been a nice safety blanket in the middle of the field. So there is that void. And Khalil comes in and we did a story on him at training camp. He catches the ball different, but like he's not this explosive, twitchy wide receiver. It seems like he's playing it at half speed.

[A]

He's smooth.

[B]

So smooth. Robert woods smooth.

[A]

Yeah. And I think his game will evolve. Danny had a drop.

[B]

He had a drop called the tragic. He said it was tragic.

[A]

It was a bad drop.

[B]

It was bad drop. He said he was feeling himself after some of the other ones. Thought he could turn up field a little too early or a little quick. You gotta catch the ball first, son. But for him to bounce back. And again, the impact that Gabe Davis had, looking back to his rookie year in 2020, he had some big moments. You always go back to the Colts game in the playoffs where he made those catches along the sidelines, but he was always that guy that would pop up when asked. He was the guy that wasn't asked to do a lot. Didn't get a ton of opportunities, but always made the most of them. I think Khalil can have that similar impact this season, being a guy that may not get 10 targets a game, but when he gets his three, he makes the most of them and he's sure handed.

[A]

What did Dayball used to tell us about Gabe?

[B]

Always ready.

[A]

And I Could put him anywhere. He can play on the outside, he can play. And this was as a rookie. So when you see Shakur, when he's ready to go wherever they need him, I asked him, I said, did it feel different this week because you knew? And he's like, no know. But then I asked him, because when you talked to him this week, you said, he said to you, I'm the quietest guy in the receiver room. So I said, are you going to be a little louder this week? And he's like, no, of course. He's got Diggs right next to him. And he just laughs because he's with Diggs, because Diggs is a little wacky, he said.

[B]

And just the fact that he was. The same thing he said to me when we were just talking in the locker room after practice on Wednesday. But he goes, this is just who I am. Like, I'm just. I'm laid back, calm, cool. That's just who I am. And, Mike, you plan for you dream of your first NFL touchdown, and you have an idea of what it's going to be like. How do you mess it up?

[A]

What are you going to do? The first thing you think is, I just caught an NFL football for a touchdown. So what am I going to do with the ball?

[B]

Never let it leave my sight.

[A]

But he did. Now. Now, who came to his rescue?

[C]

The vet?

[A]

The quarterback.

[B]

The quarterback. That's a captain move.

[A]

Allen got the buns. Like, what are you doing, pal?

[B]

That's. You know, in hockey, you always get the first goal. You get the puck. You always. You don't go and get the puck. The captain on the ice does.

[A]

They bring it to you, they bring it to you.

[B]

And that's exactly what Josh did. Gave him ball back. It's like, what are you doing? He's like, oh, sorry, 20.

[A]

Yeah. So, you know, hopefully for his sake, he has a lot more in his career.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But the first one was pretty good. Now, Dan, I looked at the stats. I thought the run game was dominant.

[B]

Don't do this, don't do this, don't do this.

[A]

Honestly, the run game was.

[B]

It's the running game.

[A]

It's nice to see little moments. I am saying I'm happy for James Cook. He got a nice run. He needs some success.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

It was, I won't say to totally meaningless. He needs to get in the end zone. It's close to meaningless. My point is he needs some success. I think they're going to use him as the season goes on. It may be just in brief Moments.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And they have plans for this guy. I think there is zero question in my mind that Devin Singletary is the back of this team. And maybe they eventually get Cook in there. They're not a running team today. When you throw for 300 and some yards in the first half, I think you pretty much know that. Yep. And Singletary was fine. And it was fine. The numbers will be a little inflated because they started running. And like, I believe you tweeted. You preemptively tweeted. I got ahead of it to tell people. Don't get telling me about the running game. It doesn't matter.

[B]

It was 52 yards at halftime.

[A]

Yeah. And. And. And Josh had a chunk of those.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I think he had a 23 yard run and the game was over at halftime.

[A]

Yeah, it was over.

[B]

I think we had talked about this during the Titans game or maybe on our way home from that. That game. We had talked about how coaches never want to embarrass opposing teams. There's always that level of respect.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And we had said that it was very rarely do you see a team pull their starters before the fourth quarter. It's kind of insulting to say, we'll give you guys 20 minutes against our backups and we're still not worried. So the Bills now have done that twice in five games.

[A]

Yeah. Josh played into the fourth.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The final drive. Yeah.

[A]

And he went over the 400 yards, and then they got him out. And look, Tomlin's. You know, we all know he was a teammate of McDermott's. Wait, what? Right. In college, McDermott was a wrestler, too. Get out of here. But I will say this about Tomlin. Hey, Mike, step it up a little bit. I think Tomlin's been an awesome coach. He's going to be in the hall of Fame someday. But, dude, you cannot be kicking field goals at 24. 3 and 31 3. What are you telling your team you're trying field goals and then your kicker must have looked at you and said, that's a terrible call, Coach. So I'm going to miss the field goal. It was embarrassing for the Steelers. Let Kenny Pickett throw it. I gotta say this. I liked Kenny Pickett. If it's possible to like the quarterback who lost 38 to 30, I agree. I like the way he moved. I like the way he threw the ball. He has some weapons on that team. Those guys made some nice catches.

[B]

George Pickens is going to be a monster.

[A]

I'm telling you. The Steelers, if I'm the Steelers, I think rebuild get it in your head. I move on from some guys. You got to get TJ Watts even more extended before he's going to be back. I get all that part, but Kenny Pickett showed me a lot for a guy who lost the game 38.

[C]

I agree.

[A]

He, he never looked rookie ish to me in the game at all, so. But Mike Tomlin, I mean, I don't, I don't get that at all.

[B]

No.

[A]

First of all, are you practicing field goals? I'd rather see how my quarterback handles a fourth and five correct than that. So I don't know what the deal was with that, but that team was. That team was shot at halftime.

[B]

So Mike Tomlin after the game had pretty much had a quote that they got dominated in all facets of the game. That was something along the lines of his quote, including coaching and going back to Tennessee in that game where Vrabel said after the game we got our asses kicked. Those are two physical teams. Physical, hard nosed coaches in Tomlin and Vrabel. Titans offense, running game. I think people always tend to think that to be. To kick somebody's ass in football, you have to run it down their throat. And I think this Bills team can kick your ass, but they can do it with just Josh Allen and their weapons.

[A]

Yeah, well, you know, Vaughn likes to talk about not blinking. And he said after the game, whether we're up, we're down 17, we're up 17. The mindset is to dominate. And I think all those guys go into the game. Look at the guys who played well today, like Tyrell Dodson.

[B]

Phenomenal.

[A]

Great for him. You know, it's a guy, he's always on teams and always doing things. Man, you plug him in there and he's flying around on the field. And I'm telling you, I am becoming a big Hamlin fan.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

I think that kid has ability. He's got something extra in him. There's something extra in him. And keep in mind, we're not that far off from getting Benford back. Not that far off from getting Trae White back.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

You know, Poyer should be back this week, I would think. I don't know for sure. It's ribs. You never know, but we'll see. But like Ed Oliver was back like this. This defense has. And by the way, oh, they've still only given up seven points in the second half in the entire season. So I, I'm with you on that. They take the will of the other team away because in different ways, because your offense just bludgeons them.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And then the defense is like, well, we're not giving anything up.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So.

[B]

So yeah, you've got Stefan Diggs skipping down the field. You've got Josh Allen smiling, throwing bombs over your head like. And, and we, we talked about it on the Buffalo plus podcast or on the YouTube channel. We recapped right after the game the defense played mean like, like that was the edge. Like again, getting at Oliver back, getting Jordan Phillips back. Hopefully. You know, I think Jordan re aggravated his hamstring a little bit, but the fact is that those guys provide that physicality and then the scheming is so well done. Between again, you don't need to be Ray Lewis taking off guys heads, but like you need to play with a little bit of a sense of toughness there. But again, I don't think that. I know Sean McDermott wants to be this team and to win both lines of scrimmage. I get all of that. But you can be tough and throw the football.

[A]

You can. And look, you do want to win the line of scrimmage and I think it helps you. But it's this team again will just manhandle you in a different way. Yes, they can. Now, again, it won't work. Every week there is going to be times and I'm really looking. We got some time we'll be talking about this week. I am really looking forward to this matchup of the Chiefs. Good news for the Chiefs on a short week. That helps. It's a day they're playing Monday night and let's see where they are coming into the game. I think it's going to be a heck of a game. Kansas City's, I don't know as we're recording this, we don't know how they're going to play on Monday night, but that offense can still really fly. Mahomes is playing great. This is right now coming into it. Let's see how Mahomes plays Monday night. To me, these are your MVP favorites playing in the game. It's got to be right. I mean, Allen's coming off 400 yards. Yeah, Lamar still there, but he taking a little step back because the Bills beat him and all. And I, you know, Jalen hurts having a really good year, but it's got to be Josh and Mahomes right now.

[B]

I think Mahomes especially what he did last Sunday night, just toying with a really good Bucs defense by all accounts.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Again, we have talked so much about Josh Allen. This, you know, during this off season feel like We've forgotten a little bit about Mahomes, and he's still really, really good.

[A]

Yeah. And no Tyreek Hill. So it's done a little differently.

[B]

A little differently.

[A]

What I've seen of him up to this point, he looks like a better quarterback.

[B]

I agree.

[A]

They're not as explosive without Hill, and here we are talking about Bill's explosive plays. They're not as explosive.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But they may be more balanced, more all around in the passing game. So let's see how that maps itself out. I mean, the Bills last year won in Kansas City and should have won in Kansas City, so we'll see where the game goes.

[B]

And the other thing, too, I want to give credit, and I think it's somebody that he was another. It was another factor of where we wanted to see and where those explosive plays were, was. I think Dorsey did a good job today of adjusting. Yes, I. Okay, so, like, originally, it was a lot of quick screens to Singletary on the outside and digs and. And it really wasn't going anywhere. And I think the Steelers said, hey, they can't take the top off us, so we'll just, you know, we'll jam you at the line. And then they got big plays. The play to Quinton Morris was really nice on third down, like, to open him up. I thought. I just thought the scheming and the mindset going into this game was a. A big improvement. Another feather in Ken Dorsey's cap.

[A]

Well, and Sean McDermott said it, and he usually doesn't give this away, but he was asked, like that play when they went deep to Gabe for the first touchdown. And the play that Dorsey called, I thought was outstanding.

[B]

He said, throw the touchdown.

[A]

Throw the touchdown.

[B]

Phenomenal. He learned that from Brian Dable. Just want to get that in there. The four and one. Brian Dable.

[A]

Yeah. How about that?

[B]

The fighting Brian Dable.

[A]

I saw his fat face, by the way, before anybody thinks anything. You remember John Feliciano used to say, I love seeing Dable's fat face on a FaceTime. Call him running off the field in London. How many pints did. Oh, no, he's not. You're not allowed to have booze on the plane. NFL teams. I don't think so. Might had a pint or two before they took off.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah. Maybe had a pint or two on Saturday night in London.

[B]

That is a guy to show again. I know we've said it before. Coaching matters in the NFL. Yeah, coaching matters. I don't think Leslie Frazier is getting enough credit for what he's done with this. Bill's defense. That has just been best job so.

[A]

Far because of all the all unbelievable changes.

[B]

Unbelievable job.

[A]

By the way, that other nice change, we can give Brandon Bean credit for it because that Bomb Miller got another sack today.

[B]

He's not bad.

[A]

And he was wearing a Brandon Bean shirt.

[B]

Brandon Bean shirt.

[A]

The guy who gave you that big old check.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And on the back was Alan Diggs and Vaughn. Imagine wearing a shirt with your. You're on it. Last week he was wearing an outfit from Beyonce. This week he wears a shirt that's just. It's just him.

[A]

That would be the equivalent of, say we were on television and we were gonna have a picture of ourselves right next to us. Like, how bad do you have to be to be on TV with a picture of yourself right behind you?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Doing something. Maybe doing something out in the field somewhere.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, it'd be. To be like, you got to be bad.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

To do that. Nobody. None of us, Nobody would do that. I don't think so.

[C]

Never.

[A]

I don't think so. Anyhow. All right, we're going to take a break here. Hope you're enjoying this. Remember, there's a Buffalo plus channel on YouTube content. All week, we're hearing from people from Kansas City to get us ready, maybe a special guest. We'll be letting you know about that and we'll have another podcast to prep you for the Kansas City game here on Buffalo. Plus, make sure you get a chance to let. Listen.

[B]

Yeah. You and I will be up Wednesday and then we'll head up to Kansas City, get some barbecue.

[A]

It's going to be slaps. Slaps. We're back at slaps.

[B]

Quick recap.

[C]

What.

[B]

How was your. How was your food in the press meal upstairs?

[A]

They went with this, like, beef sandwich. One of the guys was asking me if this was a cheesesteak. I'm like, no, it's not a cheesesteak. And are you from Philur? Yes. And it wasn't. Then they had what appeared to be these little pero. I don't know what they were. And they had wings. But I gotta tell you, I like wings. I don't want sloppy wings.

[B]

I don't want wings dressed for the game.

[A]

Like, I'm not doing that. Temperature was nice. No wind in the press box. I had salad, all that kind of stuff for you down on the field.

[B]

The worst sandwich I've had so far.

[A]

This season was it crusted in ice from the freezer?

[B]

I think it was. And that had melted, so I Had put the mayo and mustard on one piece of bread and I went to go flip it over and it was completely soggy. So I went. Just one piece of bread for a sandwich.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I ate it like an open faced sandwich.

[A]

Wow. We gotta. We gotta make a wegman stop the next time or figure something out. Or maybe Renee's got to pack you a lunch. Go to the game the next time because.

[B]

Not great.

[A]

They really. I gotta say, bills. The press box is nice. You guys should come up sometime.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Coffee?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Candy. It's nice and warm in there.

[C]

That's nice.

[A]

Yeah, it's nice. All right, well, we'll see in Kansas City. Kansas City tries to do like barbecue in the press box.

[B]

Good spread.

[A]

I don't want to eat barbecue during the game.

[B]

Yeah, no, they have a nice spread for.

[A]

For the photographers. Yeah, well, that's awful nice of them.

[B]

Like a sub tray. Sub tray.

[A]

All right, maybe we'll bring the leftovers of barbecue for you down on the field for this week. All right, again, that's going to do it. Thanks for listening. Make sure. Hey, give us a rating. Make. Make a comment. Make sure you download this. Set your downloads. You want this every week, and it'll be ready for you when you get up the morning after the game. All right. So thanks for being with us. For Janet cottrell and Dan Fates, I'm Mike Catalano. We'll see you next time on buffalo.