Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: Bills Broncos Rematch. WR Help on the way? And Ed Oliver closer to return
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Mike Catalana

Overview

This episode delivers a detailed preview of the upcoming Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos playoff rematch, tackles critical injury updates, especially with Ed Oliver’s possible return, and discusses the evolving receiver situation for Buffalo. Mike Catalana examines the Bills’ roster, what the crowd and home-field advantage may (or may not) mean in Denver, and the larger NFL coaching carousel, including speculation around Sean McDermott, Mike Tomlin, and other potential coaching moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buffalo Bills Practice Updates and Injury News

• Ed Oliver’s Return:
  • Oliver was seen practicing and is “optimistic” about playing, though there’s some uncertainty.
  • Quote: “He said he was optimistic. We’ll see how it goes.” (04:41)
  • Ed looked solid at practice, but coaches aren’t sure how ready he’ll be for game speed.
• Curtis Samuel Back as Full Participant:
  • Samuel, coming off injury, was active in practice.
  • Reference to a year ago: Samuel excelled against Denver in the playoffs (100+ yards, a TD).
  • Gives the team “a legitimate NFL receiver” for a thin WR corps (05:40).
• Other Key Injuries:
  • Demar Hamlin practicing due to Poyer likely being out, so safety depth is thin.
  • Ty Johnson absence noted; his past performance against Denver cited (big TD play last year). Status is “not looking great.” (08:44)
  • WR Shavers out, impacting blocking and depth.

2. Wide Receiver Situation & Offensive Depth

• Current WR Depth:
  • Curtis Samuel returns to join Shakir, Keon Coleman, and James Cook. Shavers’ absence notably impacts blocking.
  • Jackson Hawes potentially steps up: “Maybe Jackson Hawes with a more of a role. He could block. He can catch the ball too.” (06:23)
• Kincaid/KNOX Roles:
  • Debunks theory of using Dalton Kincaid as a wide receiver: “No, you let Kincaid play tight end in the way he plays tight end and become a mismatch.” (07:10)
• Running Back Note:
  • Ty Johnson’s inspiration in last season’s game vs Denver recounted: "Josh just waited and waited through a dart and Ty made a great play in the end zone… triggered what ended up being a 31 to 7 win..." (08:53)

3. Denver Broncos Rematch: Setting the Scene

• Home Field Advantage—Does it Matter?

  • Sean Payton’s comments referenced: “There’s some myths about that being at home … home field advantage has not been that big of a deal.” (10:21)
  • The regular season/playoff road wins breakdown: Rams, Niners, and Bears with notable comebacks.
  • The environment in Denver: Tough ticket, loud crowd, very few Bills fans expected due to distance and cost (12:19).

• Broncos Context:

  • Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix storyline reviewed. “Bo Nix … here he is in the divisional game at home. They’re coming off a bye. He hasn’t won a playoff game.” (09:50)
  • Lack of playoff experience vs. Josh Allen’s battle-tested resume.

• Josh Allen's Health:

  • Allen claims to “feel good,” but Catalana calls bluff: “He’s lying. There’s no way he feels great. … He’s got a knee, an ankle, he got hit in the head … Adrenaline and medicine, right?” (11:00)

4. Defensive Adjustments and Injuries

• Sean McDermott & Defensive Scheme:
  • Praises McDermott and Babich for “outcoaching the Jags by a mile” and confusing Jacksonville (14:30).
  • Defensive health updates: Ed Oliver and Terrell Bernard working back, Dorian Williams deployed more as a pass rusher.
  • Need for improvement from Bosa: “They need a lot more out of Bosa … they didn’t get anything in this past game.” (15:20)
• Defensive Playmakers:
  • Bernard needs to rotate in even if not a starter; his big-play ability noted.
  • “Dorian, with his … physical ability and his length … should be a very good pass rusher.” (17:23)
• Defensive Metrics:
  • Bills defense “held together” well, producing turnovers and stops despite injuries.
  • “Bills numbers on defense have been a lot better. Looking at the tape they were really confusing the Jags.” (19:40)

5. Sean McDermott/Coaching Carousel & NFL Context

• McDermott’s Job Security:
  • Firm assertion: “Sean McDermott’s not getting fired.” (21:01)
  • Skepticism about national rumors, including Mike Tomlin as a Buffalo target: “The only way you replace Sean McDermott is if you felt you needed an offensive guy … It’s not going to be for Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh.” (22:11)
• Mike Tomlin Rumors:
  • Ponders Tomlin taking time off, going into media, or eventually landing in another HC role. Expresses dislike for stiff TV studio gigs: “I’d really rather hear him on a podcast, to be honest with you, if he’s really going to talk.” (24:12)
• League-wide Coaching Movement:
  • Lists teams with openings: Atlanta, Arizona, Tennessee, Raiders, etc.
  • Speculates on fit for coaches like Brian Daboll, Stefanski, Mike McDaniel: “Stefanski’s won coach of the year twice … I could see him with the Eagles because they need an established play caller.” (27:50)
  • Jim Harbaugh’s suitors: Giants, Dolphins, Titans all “supposedly” have the inside track—a notion Catalana calls “absurd.” (29:08)

6. Buffalo Bills Outlook and Prediction

• Historical Perspective:
  • Reminisces over past Bills road playoff wins, drawing parallels to the present rare opportunity (32:30).
• Key to Victory:
  • Candidly, “I like them against Denver. I know they're beaten up. … They don’t have Josh Allen.” (34:01)
• Josh Allen Praise:
  • Pushes back on “national guys” hyping Allen as if a fresh discovery: “Josh Allen’s the best player in the NFL. Duh.” (34:16)
  • Compares favorably as an individual talent to Mahomes, despite postseason results.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “Curtis Samuel a full participant in practice. … Getting Curtis Samuel out there gives you a legitimate NFL receiver.”
  (05:40) — Mike Catalana
• “He [Josh Allen] may feel okay … but, I mean, he’s got a knee, he’s got an ankle, he got hit in the head, like whatever else. … Adrenaline and medicine, right?”
  (11:00) — Mike Catalana
• “Sean McDermott’s not getting fired. So, you know, stop with that.”
  (21:01) — Mike Catalana
• “The only way you replace Sean McDermott is if you felt you needed an offensive guy, you wanted to change the way you run that offense.”
  (22:11) — Mike Catalana
• “Josh Allen’s the best player in the NFL. Duh.”
  (34:16) — Mike Catalana

Important Timestamps

• Injury/Practice Updates: 04:30–08:45
• Wide Receiver & Blocking Discussion: 05:40–07:30
• Denver Home Field & Preview: 10:21–12:19
• Defensive Analysis: 14:30–19:40
• Coaching Carousel Talk: 21:00–31:00
• Historical Perspective & Prediction: 32:30–34:30

Tone & Style

Mike Catalana’s delivery is candid, informed, and direct—full of practical context and the occasional dry humor. He challenges national narratives, is dismissive of outlandish rumors, and balances fan-level perspective with professional access and analysis.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode is a must-listen for Bills fans looking to catch up on crucial injury and lineup intel, especially as the team gears up for a season-defining playoff rematch in Denver. With practice insights, historical perspective, inside-the-league coaching talk, and Mike’s sharp, literal approach, the episode offers engaging, trustworthy analysis for both hardcore fans and newcomers.

For further Bills coverage and more insights, subscribe to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel and stay tuned for special live episodes from Denver.