Buffalo Plus Podcast: "Bills BIG Plays Return, Steelers Can't Compete"
Date: October 10, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Dan Fetes, Jenna Cottrell
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.
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.
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)
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
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.