Podcast Summary: Bills MINDSET Heading into Week 18, Josh Allen Foot Update & Remembering Highmark Stadium

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell & Dan Fetes (with Mike Catalana off)
Episode Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

The episode covers the Buffalo Bills' mindset approaching Week 18, updates on key injuries (notably Josh Allen’s foot), and reflections as the team prepares for its final regular season game at Highmark Stadium ("The Ralph"). Jenna and Dan discuss coaching decisions, playoff seeding implications, and favorite stadium memories, blending insider information with personal, fan-driven emotion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Josh Allen’s Foot Injury & Playing Status

• Foot Update:

  • "Josh Allen’s foot is in a better place early this week than it was last week." (Dan, 01:14)
  • Allen did not practice Wednesday but this was a walkthrough day; similar situation last week, yet he played.
  • Head Trainer Nate Resky communicated to Head Coach Sean McDermott that Allen is progressing well.

• Playing Debate – Rest vs. Rust:

  • Jenna and Dan discussed whether, even if Allen is healthy enough, he should play at all considering the minimal stakes:
    • “If Josh is fully ready to go, would he still even play then? … This Week 17, Week 18 game just really means so little.” (Jenna, 02:03)
  • The desire to maintain Allen’s starting streak is acknowledged, referencing last year's scenario when he played one snap to keep the streak.
  • The consensus: If Allen is healthy, he might take a ceremonial snap or series for continuity and the record (40th total TD), but not more.

• Quote:

  • “Looking down the road at the playoff picture, you need Josh Allen to be at his close to 100. We know it’s not going to be 100, but the fact that he’s already feeling a little bit better than last week and then to have that extra bit of rest… would be so beneficial to him and to this team.” (Jenna, 03:34)

2. Other Injury Updates

• Several players did not practice:
  • Jordan Poyer (hamstring), Terrell Bernard (calf), Daquan Jones (calf), and notably Ed Oliver (knee).
• Ed Oliver:
  • Recently underwent a knee clean-up (meniscus) after suffering a setback during bicep rehab. Status for return unclear.
  • "Adds cloudiness to his return, but there is still a chance," said Sean McDermott. (Dan, 11:10)
• Dalton Kincaid:
  • Limited in practice, which is progress compared to last week.
• Kicker Situation:
  • Matt Prater’s limited stint noted; Michael Badgley was released.
    • “I was spot on with that take, too. I was like, his name doesn’t really matter because they’re gonna cut him tomorrow.” (Jenna, 13:01)

3. Bills’ Week 18 Approach & Playoff Mindset

• Opponent:
  • Buffalo faces the injury-ravaged New York Jets.
    • “The Jets don’t have an interception this season… their entire secondary is on IR. They are getting guys off the streets to play.” (Dan, 13:25)
• Rest or Play Key Players?
  • The core debate is maximizing rest for starters but acknowledging it’s not feasible to rest everyone due to roster constraints.
    • "You can’t rest everyone. Again, very similar to a preseason game…" (Dan, 15:40)
  • Desired approach: Allen and starters play a drive for continuity/confidence, then exit unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
    • “I just would like to see a competent drive put together early in the first quarter.” (Jenna, 14:37)
• Playoff Seeding:
  • Hosts suggest preference to clinch the 5th seed (chance for a home playoff) but reiterate the big picture: health over seed number.
• Coaching logistics:
  • Sean McDermott has advanced scouts simultaneously prepping for several possible playoff opponents (Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Baltimore).

4. Emotions and Memories as Highmark Stadium Era Ends

• Fan and Franchise Nostalgia:
  • Hosts reflect on the emotional impact for fans and players, acknowledging that for many it’s been a “home for so many people for so many decades.” (Jenna, 07:02)
• Players’ Perspective:
  • Not all players have deep ties to the stadium; balancing the sentimentality for long-time Bills (Poyer, Allen) with new/younger players is a coaching challenge.
  • “For some of these guys, like Sam Franklin just wants to go out there and tackle people. He’s not interested in—yeah, like, you know what I’m saying…” (Dan, 10:04)

5. Favorite Highmark Stadium Moments

Jenna and Dan share and reminisce about some of their most memorable moments at “The Ralph”:

| Timestamp | Moment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18:43 | The 2017 Snow Game vs. Colts – “Just comical…went from nothing to whiteout conditions. Kept the playoff hopes alive.” (Jenna & Dan) | 19:47 | Ravens Comeback Opener – “People were leaving the stadium…it felt like absolutely no hope…what a game.” (Dan, 20:10) | 21:22 | Last year’s Niners game in the snow – “San Fran didn’t want to be there. The Bills made that very clear.” (Dan) | 21:31 | Nahim Hines’ kickoff return after Damar Hamlin’s cardiac event – “First play was that…it was unreal…People were crying.” (Jenna, 23:07) | 23:39 | Taron Johnson’s playoff pick-six (COVID season), “The perfect game” vs. Patriots, and long Shakir TD vs. Jets—each delivering stadium-shaking fan moments. | 24:46 | “That Taron Johnson interception—you weren’t there, but your living room was the stadium.” (Jenna) | 25:20 | Fourth-down Josh Allen TD vs. Chiefs—“How loud the stadium got…That’s another one where—How can you not love sports, man?” (Dan)

• Legacy Realization:
  • “That new stadium is built because of Josh Allen. …That’s so cool to think. …Like, hey, this wasn’t my stadium…that one over there, that one’s gonna be mine.” (Jenna, 26:09)
  • Dan reflects, “It's exciting to think of all the new memories that are going to happen across the street, but yes, to pay respects to the old memories that have happened in a place that's very special in Western New York.” (Dan, 26:51)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Rest vs. Rust for Josh Allen:

  • “You need Josh Allen to be at his close to 100. We know it’s not going to be 100, but the fact that he’s already feeling a little bit better than last week…would be so beneficial to him and to this team.” (Jenna, 03:34)

• On Sending Off Highmark Stadium:

  • “You’re not leaving…they’re not leaving forever…they’re going across the street. So you’re definitely a little bit more emotional.” (Jenna, 06:57)
  • “That stadium has felt like home for so many people for so many decades.” (Jenna, 07:02)

• Ed Oliver Recovery:

  • “It’s just unfortunate…what he has done this season when on the field. But this has truly been a really rough season in terms of injuries for him.” (Dan, 12:17)

• Favorite Moments Recap:

  • “There are so many other games, too…I think of the Taron Johnson interception when there was only 7,000 fans during the COVID season. The perfect game is up there for me…” (Jenna, 23:30)

• Josh Allen and the New Stadium:

  • “That new stadium is built because of Josh Allen…that one over there, that one’s gonna be mine.” (Jenna, 26:09)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:40: Hosts intro and episode outline.
• 01:14: Josh Allen foot update & practice status.
• 02:03: Rest vs. rust for Allen in Week 18.
• 05:39: Reflections on stadium emotions, fans, and players.
• 10:56: Ed Oliver knee surgery update.
• 13:25: Week 18 preview against the Jets.
• 18:43+: Stadium memories segment—Snow Game, comebacks, iconic plays.
• 24:46: Taron Johnson interception and fan connections.
• 26:09: Closing thoughts on new stadium legacy and respecting the past.

Tone & Language

The hosts maintain a mix of professional insight and candid, fan-based emotion—balancing beat reporter knowledge with personal connections to Buffalo sports culture. There’s banter, nostalgia, and a palpable sense of transition as the Bills prepare to close one historic chapter and open another.

Summary Takeaway

This episode epitomizes the crossroads the Buffalo Bills face—balancing immediate playoff preparation and the health of their franchise quarterback with the bittersweet farewell to the only stadium many fans have ever known. Injury updates, roster strategy, and honest reflection mix with storytelling, making it a must-listen for Bills Mafia heading into a pivotal January.