Buffalo Plus: Bills CONFIDENCE CHECK – Josh ALLEN vs Joe BURROW, Darius Slay Drama & NOBODY out PIZZAS Jenna

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into a pivotal week for the Buffalo Bills, discussing roster drama (notably Darius Slay), injury updates, the upcoming showdown with the Bengals (and the Allen vs. Burrow narrative), offensive identity questions, plus some lighter moments about pizza and podcast life. The panel blends their signature snappy banter with sharp football analysis, giving fans a clear-eyed look at where the Bills stand and what challenges (and opportunities) lie ahead.

Main Topics and Insights

1. Darius Slay Saga & Roster Moves

Timestamps: 01:49–08:46

• Darius Slay Drama: The Bills claimed veteran CB Darius Slay, who is reportedly deciding between joining the Bills or retirement. This led to cutting Jamarcus Ingram to make room, only to lose both players—Slay remains undecided, and Ingram was claimed by the Texans.
  • Mike Catalana (02:46): “Not great if you think about it, right?”
  • Main concern: Bills tried to shore up CB depth but ended up down a special teams contributor and still without veteran help.
• Elam Discussion: Callbacks to Kair Elam—reminder from chat that Elam is with the Titans, ending speculation on his return.
  • Dan Fates (07:27): “Hey, breaking news. Nine days ago, Kair Elam signed with the Titans.”
• Special Teams Value: Ingram’s contributions as a core special teamer are highlighted, and loss is considered a real depth blow.

2. Bills’ Offensive Identity: Ground Game, Predictability, & Trust in the Passing Attack

Timestamps: 08:40–31:41

• Confidence After the Steelers Win: The panel agrees that last week's victory felt good but doesn't necessarily translate schematically vs. the Bengals.
  • Mike Catalana (09:10): “They are very, very, very different teams.”
  • Players looked relaxed and happy, but Bills have been "consistently inconsistent."
• Offensive Balance Issues: The running game (esp. James Cook) is now the Bills’ ‘fastball’ due to WR weakness.
  • Dan Fates (12:23): “Josh has a bottom five wide receiver room... but he's got depth at O-line and they can run smashmouth football.”
  • Mike Catalana: Points out that with injuries to WRs and tight ends, and Cook’s emergence, being run-first "makes sense," but limits adaptability.
• Passing Game Predictability & Struggles:
  • The Bills offense is often described as “painful to watch” when forced into must-pass, obvious passing situations.
    • Dan Fates (24:32): “3rd and 7 is a death sentence for this team.”
    • Lack of deep threats and innovative concepts; most passing routes stay within 10 yards of LOS.
  • Noted lack of explosive, creative play-calling in the passing game compared to teams like the 49ers or Patriots.
    • Dan Fates (26:56): “Watch the Niners, watch these good offenses… why not copy the good plays?”
  • Heavy use of stats vs. 'eye test' comes up, with consensus that big-moment failures aren’t masked by overall metrics.
    • Mike Catalana (24:09): “When you need to throw it, they can’t throw it. Can we just be blunt?”

3. Injuries, Roster Updates & What to Expect vs. Bengals

Timestamps: 40:49–48:16

• Injury Rundown:
  • Dion Dawkins (LT): Back at practice (limited), expected to play.
  • Dalton Kincaid (TE): Uncertain; hamstring and now knee concerns—likely OUT.
  • Spencer Brown (RT): Limited, pushing to play.
  • Christian Benford (CB): Highlighted for strong play and clutch turnovers.
  • A.J. Epenesa (DE): Foot injury, status unclear.
  • Ed Oliver (DT): Progressing—no knee brace, possible return.
• Depth Stretched: Defensive depth extremely strained; the staff is praised for keeping the D afloat.

4. Bills vs. Bengals: The Allen-Burrow Showdown & Big Game Preview

Timestamps: 48:16–51:59

• Burrow Update: Now back, still limited by toe injury (special plate in shoe), but given extra time off to recover. Bengals’ red-zone struggles noted, but weapons are a matchup nightmare.
  • Mike Catalana (48:16): “I think...the best thing is keeping him off the field...what he brings out on that field with him compared to what Josh Allen does offensively is night and day.”
• Allen vs. Burrow Narrative:
  • Allen has never beaten Burrow in a completed game (one game was the Damar Hamlin MNF incident).
  • Jenna Cottrell (49:24): “How much do you think it sticks in Josh's mind that he has not beaten Joe Burrow?”
  • Mike Catalana: Downplays “rivalry” narrative but acknowledges it would be meaningful.
• Bengals’ Late Surge Warnings:
  • Dan Fates (51:37): “Don’t let the Bengals get hot and get in the postseason. Nobody want[s] to see them.”

5. Trust in Coaching: McDermott & The Locker Room

Timestamps: 34:17–47:26

• Debates among listeners about Sean McDermott’s future and competence.
  • Mike Catalana (34:59): “Sean McDermott is doing one of his best jobs coaching this year...this is not an ultra talented offense and the defense, they have had to mix and match.”
• Locker room buy-in remains high; Shaq Thompson comments on McDermott's growth and leadership.
  • Dan Fates (36:17): “He (McDermott) wants the players to lead...the team will only go as far as the players take them.”
  • Coaches put players in position, but execution is on field. No evidence McDermott’s lost the locker room.

6. Notable Moments, Listener Banter, and Meme-able Quotes

Humorous Highlights

• Jenna as “passenger princess”: Gets endless (good-natured) ribbing for not driving on road trips.
• Pizza Drama:
  • Inside joke: “NOBODY out pizzas Jenna.” The crew discusses Picasso’s, Pizza Hut, and “cup and char” at length.
  • Listener Quip (26:06): “Stats are like bikinis. They show you some things. They don't show you everything.”
• Laundry & Life:
  • Dan Fates: Celebrates return to Tide Pods at home—“Laundry, the whole basement smells better.”

7. Picks, Predictions & Awards

Timestamps: 52:58–62:17

• Picasso’s Player of the Game Picks:
  • Mike: Greg Rousseau (“He needs to step up. There’s nobody around him now.” – 55:00)
  • Dan: Cole Bishop (“You draft him in the second round to make a difference in games like this.” – 58:33)
  • Jenna: James Cook (“I think the Bills are going to need him to have a really big game.” – 58:15)
• Score Predictions:
  • Jenna: Bills 24, Bengals 20
  • Mike: Bills 29, Bengals 26 (foresees an “ugly score” game)
  • Dan: Bills 27, Bengals 20
  • All hosts: Bills’ December dominance is key; acknowledge Bengals’ strengths but feel Bills’ defense and home field tip the balance.
• White Claw Grab of the Week: Christian Benford, for big, game-changing turnovers.
• Listener Engagement: Lots of love for the chat’s corrections and banter, plus coloring book shoutouts and family vibes.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Offensive Struggles:

  • “When you need to throw it, they can’t throw it. Can we just be blunt?” – Mike Catalana (24:09)
  • “Every offensive drive is a slog.” – Listener Kendrick Buffalo (25:38)

• On Defensive Scrappiness:

  • “This is not the year where you think Sean McDermott isn’t doing his job...I think he’s doing one of his best jobs coaching this year.” – Mike Catalana (34:59)

• On Josh Allen’s Power vs. Offensive Constraints:

  • “You have Josh freakin’ Allen and we run first—can’t make this stuff up.” – Listener Tori (32:21)

• On Copycat League:

  • “I don’t know why it’s a copycat league...copy the good plays.” – Dan Fates (27:35)

• On Laundry Realities:

  • “We are back to using chemicals. It’s what I was raised on. We’re all fine. No free ads. But our laundry smells great.” – Dan Fates (67:18)

Timestamps for Key Moments

• Darius Slay/CB Depth Drama: 01:49–08:46
• Offensive Predictability & Pain: 08:40–31:41
• Bengals Matchup/Allen vs. Burrow: 48:16–51:59
• Injuries & Depth Updates: 40:49–48:16
• Picasso’s Player Picks: 52:58–62:17
• Humor & Listener Banter: Throughout, esp. 25:56 (bikinis/statistics analogy), 66:41 (Tide Pods anecdote)

Tone and Style

The Buffalo Plus crew blends inside beat-reporter knowledge with relatable, sometimes irreverent, Buffalo humor. They interact heavily with chat comments, sometimes letting playful tangents (and pizza debates) give listeners the feel of hanging out with friends. Analysis is often blunt and spiced up with self-aware asides and running jokes.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a clear snapshot of where the Bills stand amid adversity: they’re tough, flawed, but dangerous if the game script plays to their strengths. The coaching staff is earning respect for keeping the season alive under challenge. The Allen-vs.-Burrow clash is big—but so is the test of the Bills’ offensive adaptability and defensive depth. And yes—nobody out pizzas Jenna.

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