Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills Postgame in Miami – How Did They Meltdown in the Miami Heat?

Episode Date: September 26, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalano & Dan Fetes
Theme: Dissecting the Buffalo Bills’ dramatic loss to the Dolphins, with a focus on crippling heat, injuries, the offense’s struggles, and what this game really means for the team’s outlook.

Episode Overview

Mike Catalano and Dan Fetes broadcast live from Miami, just hours after the Buffalo Bills’ 19-21 loss to the Dolphins in extreme heat. They break down an exhausting and injury-riddled game where the Bills—despite heavy adversity—nearly pulled off a win. The episode centers on postgame analysis: the orgy of injuries, failing to capitalize on opportunities, Allen’s performance, coaching decisions, and whether this loss signals deeper issues or is simply a weird outlier thanks to extreme circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction & General Feelings

• Tone is incredulous but not panicked; Mike and Dan quickly outright reject the “Bills are frauds” narrative, pointing to the overwhelming injury toll and brutal playing conditions.
  • “This was one of the weird games… if the Dolphins had lost that game, that would have really been something. Just because of everything the Bills had stacked against them.” – Dan (00:57)

2. Impact of Injuries and Absences

• Bills entered already missing 5 starters (including C Mitch Morse), and the injury list kept growing, especially across the offensive line and defense.
  • Josh Allen worked behind a cobbled-together O-Line: “Second half… third string center, Tommy Doyle at right guard—that he's never played—Quesenberry at right tackle… backup, backup, third string guy.” – Mike (01:54)
• Several key defensive players out (Hyde, Poyer, Ed Oliver, Jordan Phillips, Dane Jackson), plus CB Christian Benford went down mid-game.
• “There’s only so much preparing you can do.” – Mike (04:36)

3. The Miami Heat Factor

• Both teams dealt with extreme conditions (field temp 120°F). The Bills appeared especially affected, struggling with cramps, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses.
  • “Greg Russo… grew up here… said it was probably the hottest game that he’s ever played in.” – Dan (03:52)
  • “Dawson Knox had to leave the game to go get a second IV… I was drinking pickle juice, I was drinking water… at that level of extreme, it didn’t matter what you did all week.” – Dan (05:03)

4. Offensive Performance & Missed Opportunities

• Bills accumulated huge yardage (Josh Allen threw 63 times; Bills had the ball for 40 minutes!) but failed to finish drives.
  • “Josh made some great plays… Even Diggs… didn’t seem right.” – Mike (02:45)
  • Key missed plays: Gabe Davis’ dropped TD in the end zone, Diggs cramping, Tyler Bass’ missed short FG, crucial mishandling before halftime cost three easy points.
  • “The thing that’s going to bug him, is… a 20-play drive that didn’t result in a touchdown. Normally, the Bills find a way…” – Mike (09:16)

5. Playing Shorthanded in the Secondary

• Backup and even practice squad DBs (e.g., Jamarcus Ingram) got significant snaps.
  • “Not a guy on anybody’s radar… he was out there a lot.” – Mike (07:15)
• Bills’ depleted secondary contained Miami’s passing attack surprisingly well, holding Tyreek Hill to just 4 targets.
  • “If you would have told me before the game that [the Dolphins are] only going to score 21 points… you would have taken it.” – Dan (06:40)

6. Josh Allen’s Grit—and Questionable Decisions

• Allen’s ability to create kept the team afloat, but there was some “hero ball” and a few regrettable moments.
  • Mishandled snap at the end of first half meant Bills left points on the table.
  • “He was doing a little hero ball, Josh, but he kinda needed to in this game.” – Mike (08:53)
• Allen hurt his throwing hand late, possibly affecting throws but “looked okay on last drive”—uncertainty lingers.
  • “I hope I’m just being a little paranoid… I think he banged up that hand… and I hope it’s not just something he’s got to play with.” – Mike (12:19)

7. Coaching Decisions and Ken Dorsey’s Tough Day

• First real adversity for new OC Ken Dorsey; criticized for repetitive runs and conservative play-calling deep in Bills territory.
  • “I did not like some of the play calls he made… ran the same play to Zach Moss… put him in third and long.” – Mike (16:33)
  • “He just spent… a couple minutes ago talking about… Leslie Frazier did such a great job and this defense really held their own… and I felt like… Dorsey was [not] able to adjust quickly enough.” – Dan (17:49)
• Viral moment: Dorsey’s “meltdown” in the booth postgame, reflecting built-up frustration.

8. Close Games and Mentality

• Bills have now lost 6 straight one-score games—all in various ways.
  • “Are you concerned at all with the close game losses?” – Mike (20:25)
  • “It’s not found ways to lose, it’s haven’t been able to win these close ones.” – Dan (20:57)

9. Where Does This Loss Leave the Bills?

• Despite frustration, hosts believe the Bills are “way better” than Miami at full strength.
  • “I think this Dolphins team is a 10-win wild card team.” – Mike (13:44)
  • “Bills are the better team. Just did not play like it today, for multiple reasons.” – Mike (24:07)
• The loss exposes issues but is not a cause for panic; expectation is for key players to return and team to rebound.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Heat:
  “I was hot on the sidelines in shorts and a T-shirt, and I just can’t imagine. It was 120…” – Dan (03:36)

• On Injuries and Depth:
  “Every time we looked, somebody was in cramps and leaving the game.” – Mike (17:36)

• On Bills’ Offense:
  “Josh threw the ball 63 times… they had the ball for 40 minutes… but they just… seemed a little off.” – Mike (02:45)

• On the Secondary:
  “This is somebody that… was not on anybody’s radar… he was out there a lot because… they were so shorthanded.” – Mike (07:15)

• On Close Games:
  “It’s like you’re a really good golfer… a lot of top five finishes but you’ve never won a tournament.” – Mike (21:22)

• On Dorsey’s Viral Reaction:
  “You guys have already seen the video of him just losing his mind at the end of the game, which he’s in the booth and there’s a camera on you… I didn’t think he had his best day today.” – Mike (16:33)

• Summing It Up:
  “Mother Nature tried to light us on fire and… just kind of move on.” – Dan (16:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:45 | Immediate reaction to injury-riddled lineup and loss | | 01:54 | Breakdown of offensive line issues | | 03:36 | Heat’s impact on both teams, anecdotes from sidelines | | 06:03 | Safeties/secondary handling Miami’s weapons | | 09:29 | Josh Allen’s performance, key missed endzone plays | | 10:13 | Botched end-of-half spike and lost points | | 13:44 | Where Bills stand vs. Dolphins | | 16:33 | Critique of OC Ken Dorsey’s playcalling & replay drama | | 20:25 | The Bills’ streak of close-game losses | | 24:07 | Bills are still seen as the better team |

Final Thoughts / Host Outlook

• Bills’ loss chalked up to extraordinary circumstances more than talent or preparation failures.
• The returns of Poyer, Hyde, Ed Oliver, Jordan Phillips, and Mitch Morse are expected to have a huge impact.
• This is a critical adversity check, not a sign of weakness—next week in Baltimore, the team looks to right the ship.

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