Episode Overview

Title: Bills Possible Playoff Matchups and Resting Starters for Highmark Finale
Podcast: Buffalo Plus
Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell (Dan Fetes absent this episode)

Main Theme:
This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ approach to the final regular season game at Highmark Stadium, focusing on the strategic choice to rest key starters, playoff seeding scenarios, and potential AFC playoff matchups. The hosts reflect on past seasons, memorable moments at Highmark, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of prospective playoff opponents.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Resting Starters for the Highmark Finale

• Strategic Rest After Recent Loss

  • The recent Bills loss "freed up" the ability to rest starters and clarified playoff seeding, with minimal risk of dropping lower in the standings.
  • Quote:
    “You now get the ability to rest your players. I would have Josh Allen do his…snap, smile at everybody, and run off the field.” (Mike, 01:10)

• Health Priority for Josh Allen

  • Josh Allen is managing a foot injury and did not practice on Thursday. Both hosts are adamant he should rest, possibly taking only a ceremonial snap to keep his consecutive start streak alive.
  • Deion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Joey Bosa (hamstring injury), and any injured or high-snap players were discussed as prime candidates for rest.

• On Statistical Padding:

  • There's no need for starters to chase personal stats against a struggling Jets team; preserving health is prioritized.
  • Quote:
    “People are putting up insane numbers against the Jets. Great, you want for stats. I don’t think Josh Allen—he’s past that in his career.” (Mike, 01:34)

2. Playoff Picture and Seeding Scenarios

• The Blessing of Last Week’s Loss

  • The loss simplified decisions, as the Bills will end up as a 5, 6, or 7 seed regardless, and cannot control their opponent due to scheduling of other key matchups (e.g., the Pittsburgh game being Sunday night).
  • Quote:
    “It almost feels like last week, them losing did free them up to make this decision.” (Jenna, 06:25)

• Other AFC Teams Must Play Starters

  • Jacksonville, Houston, and teams in the AFC North are still jockeying for position and must play their starters, which will impact Bills’ potential opponents.

• Wildcard Race and Matchup Uncertainty

  • The field is “wide open,” and any AFC playoff team (besides perhaps the lowest seed in the NFC) could realistically win or lose in the first round.
  • The hosts agree the only certainty is uncertainty:
    “…I think there’s so many teams in this year’s playoff that you say, I think they could go to the Super Bowl or be done in the first week.” (Mike, 18:42)

3. Evaluations of Potential Playoff Opponents

Patriots

• Season Split & Matchup Confidence
  • Bills’ confidence is high after splitting games in the regular season, with the most recent contest being their "best half" of football.
  • The Patriots’ experience is acknowledged, but the Bills' playoff experience and ability to "put a seed of doubt" in New England is significant.
  • Quote:
    “If you're the Bills going into Foxborough, you want to send the message of, yeah, you might have won the division, but we own it.” (Jenna, 16:08)

Jaguars

• Under the Radar, Elite Defense
  • The Jaguars’ top-rated defense since Week 11 is highlighted (best in points, rushing yards, and fifth in total yards allowed).
  • Trevor Lawrence is playing well and poses a dual threat, especially in clutch moments as a runner.
  • Atmosphere in Jacksonville is described as electric and challenging for Buffalo.
  • The hosts share some trepidation about the Bills' previous playoff struggles on the road (including Jacksonville itself).
  • Quote:
    “Since week 11, the Jags defense…given up 15 points a game, best in the NFL…They have 13 turnovers, 21 interceptions—a team record.” (Mike, 20:52)

Houston Texans

• Young QB, Stifling Defense
  • CJ Stroud’s growth is noted, but the defense is the true threat.
  • Josh Allen has a mixed history in Houston—both hosts recall bad offensive games there.
  • Houston’s offense can stall, but “the defense is legit.”
  • Quote:
    “The Texans defense was exceptional and is exceptional…there were moments where I was like, the Chargers just felt like they couldn’t get it together.” (Jenna, 26:19)

Baltimore Ravens & Pittsburgh Steelers

• Ravens: Night games in Baltimore are described as a worst-case scenario for the Bills. The divisional playoff bout will be physical, possibly wearing both teams down.
• Steelers: Noted for improved late-season play; matchup context will rely on seeding outcomes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Resting Starters

“Do what you need to do now so you can do what you want to do later.”
— Jenna citing Mike Catalana’s advice (04:08)

On the End of the Highmark Era

• The hosts reminisce over memorable moments working and covering games at Highmark Stadium.
• Playful banter: Jenna’s rookie mistake not wearing her press vest, Mike’s story about pulling his father off the field as Randall Cunningham runs by.

On AFC Parity in 2025-26

“It does really feel like it’s wide open…this Bills team, I don’t expect them to be one-and-done, but also, if it were to go that way—
I think there’s so many teams…could go to the Super Bowl or be done in the first week.”
— Mike (18:42)

On Playoff Road Record Narrative

“Stats are like bikinis. They show you some; they don’t show you all.”
— Jenna (23:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:58 — Why resting starters is now the obvious decision
• 03:00 — Who (besides Allen) should and shouldn’t play in finale
• 04:05 — “Do what you need to do now…” mantra and importance of resting
• 06:25 — How last week's loss shifted the Bills’ approach to Week 18
• 07:59 — Reflections on season fast-forwarding & stadium nostalgia
• 14:08 — Playoff matchups breakdown starts
• 16:08 — Patriots as potential first round foe: confidence & concerns
• 19:16–21:50 — Jaguars breakdown: defense, coaching, and why they're dangerous
• 22:18–23:52 — Road playoff history under McDermott and reframing the narrative
• 25:06–26:19 — Houston as a tough out, especially on defense
• 27:11 — Why Ravens/Steelers are a physical challenge
• 28:05 — What hosts expect and what they believe is best for the Bills in Round 1
• 29:38–30:26 — Memories of the 2017 drought-breaking playoff trip to Jacksonville
• 30:26–31:43 — “White Claw Grab of the Week”: Tyrell Shavers gets props as a likely fill-in with starters resting

Tone and Final Thoughts

The conversation is warm, insightful, and filled with first-hand anecdotes from years covering the team. The hosts blend strategic analysis with light-hearted stories, emphasizing the value of experience, the unpredictability of the playoffs, and the importance of keeping Bills stars fresh for what is expected to be a wide-open postseason.

Summary for Non-Listeners:
If you missed this episode, you’ll come away knowing the Bills are set to rest key starters in the finale at Highmark, regardless of seeding uncertainty. The AFC playoff landscape is more competitive than ever, and Buffalo’s experience (despite some recent road struggles) could be a key differentiator. The hosts expect the real test to start in the postseason—likely either at Jacksonville (their pick) or New England (their preference for matchup). Expect a different lineup this week, with young players and backups seeing meaningful snaps as Buffalo’s attention shifts fully to postseason ambitions.