Bills BULLY the Steelers in BOUNCEBACK WIN: O-line, JAMES COOK & the DEFENSE lead the way

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: Bills BULLY the Steelers in BOUNCEBACK WIN: O-line, JAMES COOK & the DEFENSE lead the way
Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell (In Pittsburgh), Dan Fates, Mike Catalana (both in Rochester)

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Episode Overview

This episode covers the Buffalo Bills’ crucial 26–7 bounce-back win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hosts break down how the Bills executed a physical, resilient game, examining standout performances from the offensive line, James Cook, the defense (notably Shaq Thompson), and Josh Allen's milestone. The conversation mixes in-depth analysis, sideline observations, and lively banter, capturing the mood both on the field and in the locker room.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of the Win

• Playoff implications and morale:
  • This victory moves the Bills to 8-4, improving their playoff standing and tiebreaker position.
  • The team rebounded from a tough loss in Houston, regaining both confidence and energy.
  • Jenna Cottrell (00:31): “This to me is a hindsight win. I think that you can learn from this game... just the smiles… you could tell how dejected this team was [last week], to get a big win on the road...”
  • The mood shift is highlighted by Sean McDermott’s “road warriors” theme and evident postgame joy.

2. Offensive Line Shines Without Starters

• Depth steps up:
  • Buffalo played without starting tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, plugging in Alec Anderson and Ryan VanDemark.
  • Despite early false start penalties, the line settled and imposed its will, especially in the run game.
  • Dan Fates (02:54): “Credit to Alec Anderson and Ryan Vandermark… after the game they had [in Houston]... what they did tonight was impressive.”
  • Standout: The typically fearsome TJ Watt was “barely noticeable” due to the Bills’ O-line dominance.
  • Josh Allen’s appreciation (04:42):

    "Those are two guys you never, ever have to worry about their work ethic or their want or their love for their teammates… for us to go in there against that defensive line, that’s some special stuff. I could not be more proud of them."

3. Running Game Dominance & Offensive Strategy

• Rushing attack leads the way:
  • Bills rushed for 249 yards, with James Cook starring and Ray Davis contributing key carries.
  • Jenna Cottrell (07:12): "James Cook continues to have a phenomenal season."
  • The attack gave Allen breathing room and compensated for a limited passing game.
  • James Cook led the team in both rushing and receiving (33 yds), and Ty Johnson made big plays.
  • Dan Fates (06:02): “[Cook] told us he texted those guys [O-line] before the game and told them he loves them... That’s a different kind of leadership.”
  • Passing-wise, only three WRs caught passes, but the run game controlled the tempo.

4. Defensive Takeover in Second Half

• Physicality & turnovers tilt the game:
  • Christian Benford returned a forced fumble for his first NFL touchdown on the opening play of the second half.
  • Steelers’ offense was ineffective, and the Bills’ aggressive defense was led by Shaq Thompson, who delivered a players-only challenge after the Houston loss.
  • Jenna Cottrell (11:25): “Shaq Thompson is a guy that… we don’t really talk about all that much. But he made a move – that’s what a leader does.”
  • Dan Fates (12:32): “You can talk, but I don’t think he’d be talking unless he was playing… when you see guys go backwards when they hit him, it’s Shaq.”
  • The team responded to physicality and a questionable late hit on Allen.

5. Josh Allen’s Record-Setting Night & Attitude

• Milestone:
  • Passed Cam Newton for most rushing touchdowns by an NFL QB (76).
  • Dan Fates (14:46): “Josh setting the record for quarterback touchdowns with 76, passing K. Newton… That is NFL history.”
  • Allen displayed fire, jawing with Cam Heyward and inciting an unsportsmanlike penalty, which energized the team.
  • Jenna Cottrell (15:12): “This is the most I’ve ever seen Josh jawing with another player… They were going at it.”
  • Both hosts remark on Allen’s infectious spirit and willingness to mix it up physically and verbally.

6. Passing Game Limitations & Formula for Success

• Passing attack struggles, but the plan worked:
  • Allen made key throws (notably TD to Keon Coleman), but the passing offense was otherwise pedestrian, partly due to weather and backup linemen.
  • The hosts express concern for future games where passing might be necessary.
  • Jenna Cottrell (20:00): “My fear… is that if you’re in a game where you need to pass the ball, you’re gonna be severely limited…”
  • Confidence in adapting the formula—running, O-line physicality, Allen making timely plays—as needed for different opponents.

7. Locker Room Energy and Leadership

• Culture boost and emotional moments:
  • The postgame scene was joyful, with McDermott shaking hands and the whole team celebrating.
  • Allen’s demeanor was “revitalized” after a tough stretch, perhaps helped by his trip to Wyoming.
  • Dan Fates (18:36): “I thought he played like a guy with more energy, but a little more of a joy, like spirit. He likes to talk shit.”
  • Hosted note that Allen’s personality is well-known among pros, even if fans see his community-focused side more.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:42] Josh Allen:

  "Those are two guys you never, ever have to worry about their work ethic or their want or their love for their teammates… for us to go in there against that defensive line, that’s some special stuff.”

• [14:46] Dan Fates on Allen’s milestone:

  “Josh setting the record for quarterback touchdowns with 76… that is so impressive… that is NFL history, and not like the kind of stats where… they cherry pick the stats. That’s awesome.”

• [15:12] Jenna Cottrell on Allen’s competitive fire:

  “This is the most I’ve ever seen Josh jawing with another player. Cam Heyward… They were both jawing at each other for a while.”

• [12:00] Jenna Cottrell on Shaq Thompson’s leadership:

  “Sean McDermott said that essentially, Shaq Thompson challenged the team last week… about, ‘we need us to be better.’”

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Highlighted Timestamps

• 00:53 — Dan Fates describes how the Bills "were the more physical team."
• 02:55 — Praise for backup tackles Anderson & VanDemark's resilience.
• 04:42 — Josh Allen’s heartfelt praise for O-line fill-ins.
• 07:28 — Discussion of James Cook’s connection with the O-line and his leadership.
• 09:53 — Benford’s defensive touchdown to open the second half.
• 12:00 — Shaq Thompson’s player challenge and resultant impact.
• 14:46 — Josh Allen breaks NFL QB rushing touchdown record; team emotion.
• 15:28 — Sideline observation on Allen and Cam Heyward’s trash talk and impact.
• 17:42 — Dissecting Allen’s day as a passer amid the run game focus.
• 18:36 — Allen’s revitalized spirit and his trademark edge.
• 20:00 — Concerns about the passing offense ceiling and need for further adjustments ahead.

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Final Takeaways

• The Bills won an ugly, physical contest—exactly the type of game they needed after Houston.
• Offensive line depth, powerful ground game, and energizing defense set the tone.
• Josh Allen’s energy, leadership, and milestone added an extra spark.
• Passing game needs to evolve, but the current formula was perfect for beating the Steelers.
• Team chemistry, veteran leadership, and resilience shine through, fueling optimism for the challenging stretch ahead.

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Transcript

[Jenna Cottrell]

To get a big win on the road. Sean McDermott talked about this week being road warriors and the Bills were that today.

[Mike Catalana]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome to the Buffalo plus podcast. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates back in Rochester. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe and share. We're here in Pittsburgh. The Bills picking up the win today, 267 against the Steelers in this game. The Bills now move to 8 and 4 on the season. We're going to talk about the offensive line play, the run game, Josh Allen, all the stuff. Defense as well. But first, I want to start really big picture. Bills get a big win, an important one in terms of the playoff standings, tiebreaker, a big night for them. Here in Pittsburgh.

[Dan Fates]

We talk about a lot of times the more physical team wins. They were the more physical team in this game. I offensively with the O line for the running game. We'll talk specifically about the guys who filled in, who were great defensively, led by Shaq Thompson. I said to him, when games are like this, he's like, we love it like this for the defense because they got to play in a low scoring game and make big plays. Look, is it the prettiest game in the world? Absolutely not. You know what's pretty? To now be 8 and 4 and get rid of the mess that happened down in Houston and look for. And I thought they needed a game like this, nowhere near perfect, but they needed a game like this. And it was really, really big for them.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, it was ugly to start, but the way that the, the defense helps them out in this game, the offense and the run game got things going. And this to me is a hindsight win. I think that you can learn from this game. You take the win, you move on, but you're also helping yourself in terms of the standings, where this team is at. And also just the smiles like, I know it sounds silly, but we're with this team every single week. You, you ride the roller coaster of the highs, the lows coming off the field in Houston. There was, there was not tears, but you could tell how dejected this team was to get a big win on the road. Sean McDermott talked about this week being road warriors and the Bills were that.

[Dan Fates]

Today you're out here on the field at the end of the game when they're all celebrating out here before they go in as they're coming in, Sean McDermott is waiting at the edge of.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The locker room, which was cool.

[Dan Fates]

And he is shaking hands with everybody, slapping hands, Alec Anderson picks him up in the air like that was fantastic. Full on team victory. Because look it, you know, Josh Allen wasn't throwing for 350 yards. Great runs. We'll talk about his runs too. But at the same time, it was the offensive line, it was the defense. You know, it was one of those games that, like you said, ugly here in Pittsburgh, believe me, you think this is ugly. How do you think the Pittsburgh fans feel watching that? But the Bills needed it and got it done. And while there are things certainly to work on the. There's a lot of things to be impressed by. How they played today.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Credit to the O line.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Credit to Alec Anderson and Ryan Vandermark. No Dion Dawkins in this game. No Sp. Spencer Brown in this game. We knew that would be a challenge. But then coming off the week they had or the game they had against Houston where Josh Allen got sacked eight times, 12 quarterbacks hit hits for those two players to play the way they did. And the entire line, just in general, we talk and we joke about like, oh, a bounce back effort. That was, that was impressive what they did.

[Dan Fates]

What'd you think when Alec Anderson got the two penalties on false starts?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was like, oh boy, here we go. You know, because those were killers. And the first couple of drives for this Bills team, I was like, you know what? But then he settled in, as did the rest of the team. You saw it come together. But yeah, early on I was like, you can tell he's a younger player getting more time, but I think he fell into the flow of the game. But early on I was like, yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Oof.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yikes.

[Dan Fates]

Well, I said to you, I joked when we were like having coffee or morning, I said, watch the, watch the offensive line pitches shot out in this one. Now I said that, look, this was not a big passing game for them. It wasn't like Josh was hanging back in the pocket for a long time and, and they were protecting him. They did a very good job. The only time he really got hit was when he ran the ball, including the cheap shot.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And we.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Cheap shot.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Well, that's. That came from Tom Donahoe, a Pittsburgh guy.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, that's perfect.

[Dan Fates]

But at the same time, they did that. But I thought maybe they could do that because Josh was going to get the ball out of his hands. But to run for 249 yards and really dominate, like TJ Watt is a great player. You didn't really notice him on the field.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You really didn't. And here's what Josh Allen. He was asked by our friend Matt Beauvais of WKBW after the game, just. He asked Josh, not as a teammate, but as a friend, what was it like to see your guys, Alec Anderson and Ryan Vandemark play the way they did out here today.

[Josh Allen]

It's so cool. Again, those are two guys that you never, ever have to worry about their work ethic or their want or their love for their teammates. They continue to grind and again, like I said earlier, they've been kind of the offensive jumbo tackle, swing tackle type situations, but they did not blink tonight. And for us to go in there against that defensive line unit, that's some special stuff and I could not be more proud of them.

[Mike Catalana]

The level of play that our starters have set for us, whether it's Spencer and Deon or me and Vandy out there playing, we're back there to protect 17 for as long as he needs it. And we executed that tonight. It feels pretty good. I mean, shout out to Alec. I mean, great, great guy comes, comes every day prepared. And his first start came at right tackle, which is awesome. And he did a great job in the run game. I mean, all five of us did really well. I feel like, you know, we just put our heads down and just started driving, drive the ball down the field and it was awesome.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, not only did they play well, but the rushing offense just in general. And we can get into James Cook, Josh Allen also making history. Cool. You know, he does that. So I just think overall though, it was like, it could have been a huge detriment to this team and tonight they turned it into a positive.

[Dan Fates]

Absolutely. They did the entire line. I could see Connor McGovern coming off the field, you know, as the guy. We talked about this during the week. Like, he's leading this line and he's got two guys pretty inexperienced. Certainly in those roles. Like Josh said about, like they fill in is that there's one thing filling in as the sixth guy, there's another thing going every snap. So to be able to do that, James Cook was pretty good. He, he knew his teammates were counting on him. Now he deflects credit all the time. He's like, I'm just doing my job. But I think he was pretty happy with the way he played. He also told us, and I meant to mention this to you, that he texted those guys before the game and told him he loves them. And he says, I'm excited about what's going to happen today. And you know, that's a different kind of leadership out of a guy like James Cook. He said he did that early in the morning and he was ready. Because I asked him, was it any different for you? And he's like, no, these guys were ready to play. So, you know, he trusts his own line.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm learning this with you all.

[Dan Fates]

Look at that. I do love that, though. Yeah, I think he did.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You're right. That is a different type of leader. But also, there was their opportunity. There are a couple holes out there, too, where I was like, I could run through that. Like, there was moments where.

[Dan Fates]

Did you ever think about running out there?

[Jenna Cottrell]

First half, yeah. Second half, no.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But no. James Cook continues to have a phenomenal season.

[Dan Fates]

And add in Ray Davis.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Ray Davis had a really nice day, too.

[Dan Fates]

So the couple of times they've gone over 200 yards, it's been. Obviously, when Ray's gotten more carries, that was really big during that stretch when they just kept moving the ball, moving the ball down the field.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, there were some moments where you looked at James Cook, and you're like, that dude's gassed. He needs to take a break. But then you had Ray Davis in there, and he did a really good job of picking up the yardage, too. So it was nice to have that combo out there. Ty Johnson also made a couple big plays in big moments for this team. Yeah. Overall, I mean, if we're going to critique the offense, I would say, like, what was it? James Cook was the leading receiver today with 33 yards. Like, three wide receivers caught passes. Gabe Davis, Brandon Cooks, and then Keon had the touchdown. But they didn't need to do that today, and they still got the win.

[Dan Fates]

They're gonna need it. We know they're gonna need it. Right. But this was not that game. I am not critical of the game plan at all. In this one, you had backup tackles out there. You had a defense that you thought you could get to the second level on running the football. And also, I don't know if this is breaking news. That Steelers offense just stinks. And they beat up Rodgers.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It was like. And I'm sure this joke was made on Twitter, but my Internet wasn't loading. It was like, if you think the Bills offense is bad, the Steelers offense was like, hold my beer.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, no doubt.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That is depressing to watch.

[Dan Fates]

So I did want to mention the one thing. You know, the first half wasn't a lot. You just mentioned the Bills made the mistakes it cost them from getting points. James Cook had the fumble. They get the touchdown. Bills are driving down at the end of the half, I have no idea. I don't know. If Sean was asked about what they were doing at the end of the first half. When they called the time out, then they were going to go for it. He was not, as it was a weird. They got the three points, and you're.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like, all right, well, that was a very costly penalty.

[Dan Fates]

They got the penalty, but then they still lined up again. So I didn't understand the whole thinking behind that, but it ended up being the three points. And then Josh at halftime, because I asked him about it, and he started.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Out by saying, you asked Josh Allen? You talked to Josh Allen?

[Dan Fates]

I talked to him. Imagine, look at that. He said, I. I actually said, score, stop, score. Not realizing at the moment, like, the Bills don't have the ball first.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And then the defense went out and scored, and then they got a stop, and then the Bills scored. So he goes. I got to say that more often, which I thought was pretty funny. But from the start of that second half, Christian Benford, bosa, huge play. Knocks the ball loose. It's his fifth forced fumble of the year. Benford takes it in, and then he throws a pick. Benford comes up with it. That was Benford's first touchdown as a pro.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And so didn't get it because I was running down the tunnel.

[Dan Fates]

Well, you were doing your job. You're in there at halftime, you run out.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It was a very long tunnel here.

[Dan Fates]

It was on the first play of the first offensive play of the second half. So that's when the defense started to really, really pick it up.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So where the Bills media, like, locker room is and where our media room is, it shared a wall, so you could hear some of the stuff. Now, I don't think this is breaking news at the half. You heard a lot of, like, let's go, let's go, let's go. Then you also heard, we need to turn the ball over. We need to get turnovers. And I was like, oh. So coming out, I was like, what happened? And then also Aaron Rodgers with, like, the band aid over his. Oh, my gosh. That was. I tweeted out. It looked like he was about to steal the Declaration of Independence.

[Dan Fates]

Look, he's had a tremendous career. He's the gold jacket guy, like they say here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, he just.

[Dan Fates]

He just can't play anymore. This offense stinks. If you're him. If you're him. Like, is this the way you really want to go out here? I mean.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, apparently, I will say the. The brace. I mean, that is. That was. That seemed like it was.

[Dan Fates]

It's not on his right arm, I.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Know, but it just felt like some of the stuff when he was making play, like he couldn't really.

[Dan Fates]

I give him credit for playing football 43 years old or whatever he is, but I just. I just don't think he scares anybody.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And I don't think it's a big difference, though. They got one off Mason Rudolph, so. No, regardless of what it was, the Bills defense, led by Shaq Thompson, imposed their will in the second half of this one.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, why don't you explain that a little bit? Because I think when you're thinking about this game, you're thinking of. All right, the defense did a nice job. Joey Bosa, like you said, forced the fumble. Christian Benford made some big plays as well. But Shaq Thompson is a guy that I think we talk about a little bit, but we don't really talk about all that much. But he made a move. That was what you would say, what a leader does.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, he talked to the team. Now, he said it to us in a way, like, yeah, talk to the team. And then someone asked him, he said, I'd like to keep that in house. Sean didn't give the specifics on it, but Sean McDermott said that Shaq talked to the team.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Sean McDermott said that essential. Essentially, Shaq Thompson challenged the team last week about challenging them whatever way you want to think about it, but challenging them in terms of we need them, we need us to be better. And I think we talk about leadership styles. Some guys are the Rah Rah. Some guys are doing this, but to have a player that is. This is his first season in Buffalo, but obviously a veteran, obviously, obviously a guy that Sean McDermott and Brandon Bean trust to kind of put that out there of. Of saying, hey, guys, are we doing enough?

[Dan Fates]

He can still play. That's the thing. You can talk and I don't think he'd be a guy talking unless he was playing. He can still play. When you see guys go backwards when they hit him, it's Shaq. A lot of times it's 45. I know he's an older player, but you don't feel like it looks like that when he is playing. I think he's been outstanding. I think he's staying out there. Well, certainly he's going to play a lot, no matter what ends up happening. And I think he's made a difference. And then, like I said, he loved the kind of game this was with the physical nature and them needing the defense and the defense needed a game like this, Steelers or no Steelers, whoever it was, they needed a game like this and they really got it done.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think this is an example of sometimes. It's not always like the high flying touchdowns and like Josh Allen throwing for a billion yards, but this is a type of game that can energize a team. They can be more physical, they can play like this. They can grind out games. They can have guys that aren't traditional starters be out there and play well. And I think you can gain some momentum from games like this and in a style of play like this.

[Dan Fates]

No doubt about it. I mean, it was like, it was fun to see them having fun. And I said this to you yesterday, so this would be Saturday, depending when you're listening to this, I said this hasn't been like the most fun season. Some few moments like that Baltimore game was incredible. Solid big wins. Like when they went beat up the jets and then beat up the Panthers. I get it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

This was, I think outside of the Ravens game, because that was the game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

As Dan likes to say, there was a concert at the end.

[Dan Fates]

Yes. This was the most fun I've seen this team have, especially the way they celebrated after the game. Galvanizing when Josh got hit. Galvanizing. Offensive line running the ball, backups stepping up. Josh setting the record for quarterback touchdowns with 76 passing K. Newton.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That is. It's not unbelievable because it's Josh Allen, but that is so impressive. Like, that is NFL history and not like the kind of stats where you're like, he's the first quarterback to have two passing touchdowns, 100 yards on the ground. And like, did this one play, like the most rushing. Rushing touchdowns by a quarterback? You know what I'm saying? Sometimes they cherry pick the stats. That's awesome.

[Dan Fates]

No, no doubt about it. And the way he got it on.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That run and he showed a lot of emotion.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's the most kind of emotion I've seen. You could tell he's really fired.

[Dan Fates]

I think the emotion was mostly for the actual touchdown.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yeah. I don't think it. I don't.

[Dan Fates]

I don't.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think he cares about that.

[Dan Fates]

Believe me. I think it's. I think he feels good. It's nice to have a record, especially when, like you said, it's an NFL record. So this is not like just the team or just whatever it is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Josh had no idea that was for an NFL record, in my opinion. It was the emotions of the game. The late Hit of the grinded out style, of the physicality. This is the most I've ever seen Josh being jawing with another player. Cam Hayward. It was. I look.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Very fortunate to be on the sidelines for a lot of bill schemes. Josh will sometimes in passing, you know, do a little something. They were both jawing at each other for a while.

[Dan Fates]

Didn't he just get the sportsmanship award for the NFL for the Bills? He did. And I'm not saying it's bad sportsmanship, but he and Cam Hayward going at it. And Cam Hayward, it's not like Christian Wilkins. Cam Hayward is like a. One of those guys in the league been around a long time. He's one of those players. Josh got him to take an unsportsmanlike, taunting penalty after Josh threw the touchdown pass. That is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Which is pretty.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, that is pretty impressive. And they were going at it. You guys saw it. If you read lips, go right ahead. They were going at it pretty good. And that fired up his teammates too. There's no doubt about it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We were joking on the sidelines. We were like, I didn't know these teams hated each other that much.

[Dan Fates]

It felt like it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was angry. It really felt like it. It was the late hit, though. I do think that did a lot because.

[Dan Fates]

Hey, by the way. No, but just real quick, NFL, what are you looking at? It was a slide.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What are you doing?

[Dan Fates]

Well, seriously, they protect quarterbacks, and Josh clearly slid.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's pretty.

[Dan Fates]

And I know we're not talking about 1983 here in 2025, NFL, that is a penalty all the time. And I was surprised they didn't panel, but you saw the players basically come off the bench or they were there, they were pissed. But it again, galvanized this team. And I thought it was great.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I think it was one of those things that really lit a fire. And sometimes Josh has joked about how, like, he sometimes likes to take a little bit of. Of a hit or whatever, but I think for the rest of the team, it was like, don't you mess with Josh Allen.

[Dan Fates]

No doubt. Um, couple of things I wanted to say about the passing game. Look, Brandon Cooks was out there. He was getting stamps.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, he was.

[Dan Fates]

Caught a F pass. Uh, he tried to go to Shakir over the middle, like Josh was behind him. Like the wind. Was somewhat impactful, wasn't it early?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Um, I thought it was pretty substantial in moments. Definitely more so in the first half than the second half.

[Dan Fates]

The Intersect exception to Gabe, I thought it was a little miscommunication. I think Gabe sort of stopped. I don't mean stop stop, but like slowed, I think maybe thought he was gonna turn up on the. On the route there instead of going through Josh, I think threw it to a spot, but a miscommunication for that. And he was behind Shakira on that one. He threw a couple of bad balls.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

It wasn't a great passing day by any stretch, though. The play he made to get it to Coleman for the touchdown, that was a nice fake.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I bid on that.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, you did oh, so hard. Well, so did the Steelers defense, so you have that in common with him. Yeah, but he made the plays and I think he loves games like this. Like you said, the numbers don't matter to him. No, it's about winning and the team winning. And that was as. I mean, Josh was pretty excited, I'd say. The way he talked with us. He was talking about his teammates. He talked for a long time, which was good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It was great for us.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, it was good. So that was fun.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think we mentioned this earlier in the week in the podcast. Like, he felt he seemed very refreshed after going to Wyoming and then now post game today. The win obviously matters and helps in that equation, but it seemed like he had a lot more spirit. What do you want to say? Like, what's the proper word for that?

[Dan Fates]

Okay, I'm gonna. I'm channeling my inner Dan Fates because I do want to take credit for this. I said it on our podcast during last week that I saw Josh talk to the group in Wyoming and then I heard his speech and I thought it would revitalize him. Then he said, you know, it was great for him to go out to Wyoming, get his number retired. It was good. And I thought he played like a guy with more energy, but a little more of a joy, like spirit. He likes to talk shit.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He does.

[Dan Fates]

He does. That is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He doesn't. I feel like that's not. Well, no, it is pretty well known in terms of like, oh, yeah, within the NFL. I don't know if a lot of fans do that because Josh is like, obviously very outward in terms of him with the community. He met Nathan Link before the game. 11 year old cancer survivor. That was really sweet.

[Dan Fates]

But yeah, no, I thought he got that back a little of that Josh Allen, the way he ran the ball, the way he was with his teammates, he made plays. And. And look, like I said, hey, next week is burrow. They're going to be throwing the ball all over. You're going to need to score more Points. I don't know how good this passing game can be. I think this is the way they win games. I think Josh Macon plays. I think them running the ball, they have to play better defense. They'll play against better offenses. But I do think. I know they had the Tampa game. I think this is the formula. If this team's going to do damage.

[Jenna Cottrell]

This is the formula for them 1000%. My fear trust tree is that if you're in a game where you need to pass the ball, you're gonna be severely limited. We see what the run game can do, but the passing game has lacked. In this game, you didn't need it, but there's the fear that when you need to go to it, you don't have that level.

[Dan Fates]

Let's see what happens.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Again, Kincaid should be back.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Michael, we're in the trust tree.

[Dan Fates]

Well, yes, that's true. Is this thing rolling?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't know. I hope so.

[Dan Fates]

We'll see if they get Josh Palmer back soon. He could have played. Didn't play. I'm just saying. Dalton Kincaid. Let's see. I mean, if that helps in whatever way. I do like this. And you're probably saying, why haven't they talked about it? I love them throwing the ball to the backs. Ty Johnson made another big third down play and James Cook with a few catches. So I like them throwing to the backs. I think that's important. So I think that helps the offense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And Joe Brady welcomed another baby, baby girl.

[Dan Fates]

That was official.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

I didn't know.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He tweeted it out after the game.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, that's fantastic.

[Jenna Cottrell]

One and O girl dads.

[Josh Allen]

So.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, we had heard that. That was close.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

It's got to be a lot on your mind when you're coaching.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I can't even imagine, so. Well, I wouldn't be here, but that's a different story.

[Dan Fates]

Congratulations to the Bradys and they got a win. And look, Joe's got his work cut out for him in terms of trying to, you know, he's had some issues. The pass catching is a. Is a. Not a great thing. But they found a formula that worked. It worked for this game. Like I said, it's different for Cincinnati than it is for Pittsburgh. They'll have a different game plan or an adjusted game plan for that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But Bills fans, enjoy your victory Monday.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You get to talk.

[Dan Fates]

They're 8 and 4 while you're watching.

[Jenna Cottrell]

This huge in the tiebreaker.

[Dan Fates]

And if it's before Monday Night Football, maybe the New York Football Giants decide to step up and it'll make things a little more interesting. If not. This was a big win. You know, they've beaten the Steelers, They've beaten the Ravens. They've beaten the Chiefs. You know, so they have wins against a lot of the teams that they could be fighting for.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's so funny. Those sounds like super quality wins, but some of those kind of flailing a little bit. But it's a matter you beat. You beat. You beat them.

[Dan Fates]

And it's wild. The Texans beat the Colts.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That thing could the Colts. It looks like it's going the long way for them. So. So did they. This is a narrative on NFL. Like, NFL life. Did the colds peak too soon?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Or were they just a fraud?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, well, yeah, but peak too soon also?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. One or the other fraud alert. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Patriots will have to deal with some adversity. Left side of their line dealing with injuries. So what will that look like? But it's the Giants. We'll figure it out. I don't know. All right. All right. Please be sure to, like, comment. Subscribe and share. Comment in your thoughts on this game.

[Dan Fates]

Comment in on Jenna's outfit that if you were watching the game, you could probably see her on the sidelines. It was very prominent, I think.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Does my coat go to my ankles? Maybe?

[Dan Fates]

Yes. But you were down here on the field. A press box was a little. Little cool. Could have turned the heat on.

[Jenna Cottrell]

They ran out of food before the start of the game.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Food in the press box is kind of lame.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I.

[Dan Fates]

Kind of lame.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Permission to be honest. Well, it's tough. Like, I know that this is a vaunted place to be play. I think for Steelers fans, it was hard to get into this game. Understandably so.

[Dan Fates]

But kind of lame.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's kind of lame. Kind of. But again, hear me.

[Dan Fates]

Hey, they've had some bad football. They've had some bad.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't. I don't blame them.

[Dan Fates]

No.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But it just. I don't know.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's so hard. It's wasn't my favorite, but it was very cool. It was cool to come here.

[Dan Fates]

A lot of yellow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A lot of yellow.

[Dan Fates]

Lot of yellow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

So anyhow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right.

[Dan Fates]

Or gold, they would say. But that's yellow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's yellow.

[Dan Fates]

That's kind of. I don't know what it is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I would say that's like McDonald's yellow.

[Dan Fates]

Honestly, it is McDonald's yellow. Okay. Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right.

[Dan Fates]

That's it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was making you uncomfortable.

[Dan Fates]

Let's go get something.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Please be sure. Once again, like, comment, subscribe and Share For Dan, who's back in Rochester, we we will have plenty more coverage coming up this week as the Bills get ready to take on the Bengals Sunday in Orchard Park. For Mike Catalana, I'm Jenna Cottrell. Thank you so much for watching Buffalo Plus.

[Mike Catalana]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast.