Buffalo Plus: Bills vs. Bengals—What They're Saying in Cincinnati

Guest: Dan Hoard (Voice of the Cincinnati Bengals)
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Episode Date: December 3, 2025

Main Theme

This episode dives into the state of the Cincinnati Bengals as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills, featuring detailed insights from Dan Hoard, the Bengals’ play-by-play announcer. The discussion explores the return of Joe Burrow, the evolving identity of both teams, key player matchups, and implications for the AFC playoff race. The episode offers a balanced, insider perspective on the Bengals’ season turnaround, the critical role of Burrow, and the adjustments on both sides of the ball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Joe Burrow’s Return: Timing and Impact

• Burrow’s Presence Revitalizes Team:

  • “Cincinnati has won its last eight games that Joe Burrow has started… when Joe Burrow plays, Cincinnati is a much better team… it lifts everybody.”
    (Dan Hoard, 01:07)
  • The team’s confidence, both offensively and defensively, surges with Burrow on the field.
  • “It would be the same for the Bills if Josh Allen was out. It just makes an extraordinary difference when you have one of those guys… both of these teams are lucky enough to have one.” (01:35)

• Burrow’s Recovery:

  • Returned “essentially three games ahead of schedule,” defying initial medical expectations.
    (Hoard, 03:52)
  • Burrow’s personal philosophy: “Once the doctors say you’re good to go, he said, I’m ready to play. And it didn’t really make sense to him that people said you should only come back if there’s a lot at stake.” (04:41)

Bengals’ Hopes & Playoff Math

• Division is unexpectedly open due to other teams’ struggles (Steelers, Ravens).
• Path to Playoffs:
  • Bengals likely need to “run the table” to win AFC North (9-8 record), as a wild card is improbable.
    (05:58)
  • “They won their last five to go 9 and 8… had the exact same record at this point last year… this is what they’ve done in the Zach Taylor era. They seemingly start poorly every year. Now Burrow injuries have had a lot to do with this, but then they get hot.” (06:31)
  • Taylor’s less rigorous training camps may lead to slow starts but stronger finishes.

Key Players & Matchups

• Jamar Chase’s Unique Value:

  • “He is the best wide receiver in the NFL, and here’s why. He’s a combination of being the best wide receiver and the best running back… when you get him the ball, the play is just starting.”
    (08:11)
  • Chase’s ability to gain yards after the catch distinguishes him.
  • Strong chemistry with Burrow from LSU days.

• Emergence of the Running Game:

  • Chase Brown: Now “topped 100 scrimmage yards in every game” over last six games as the offensive line improved (12:04).
  • Emphasis on balancing run and pass attacks. Burrow typically prefers shotgun formation but has taken more snaps under center since return, aiding run game diversity.

Bengals’ Defensive Turnaround

• Defense was ranked dead last earlier (points & yards), but improvement over last three weeks: No opponent’s offense scored more than 20 points (Patriots, Ravens, Steelers respective games) (10:13).
• Young personnel now stepping up, especially with two rookie starting linebackers, one communicating defensive calls (14:30).
  • “They’ve got to be cheap on defense because they’re spending so much money on offense. That’s kind of the formula the Kansas City Chiefs have followed…” (15:39)
• Talent development is paying off, but depth and youth remain vulnerabilities—partially out of necessity due to salary cap prioritization.

Burrow’s Leadership & Mentality

• Comparisons to Tom Brady:
  • “I think he’s very Brady-like in his personality… I just think the guy is so laser-focused on this obsession of his that it permeates throughout the building… you stand up a little bit taller… it affects everybody else.”
    (16:56)
  • Burrow’s extreme discipline, focus, and expectations lift the team’s standards and performance.

AFC Playoff Picture & Comparisons

• Burrow’s Bengals vs. Allen’s Bills: Both franchises defined by their QB’s presence and fortunes (18:07).
• “In three healthy years, they’ve been to a Super Bowl, an AFC Championship game, and… were out of the playoffs with a winning record because their defense was atrocious. When Joe Burrow is healthy… the Bengals are going to be one of the best teams in the NFL.” (19:05)
• AFC is wide open (Lamar, Mahomes currently out, Bills & Bengals fighting for spots). Playoffs will come down to elite quarterbacks: “When you get to the playoffs, those are the teams that are going to advance… when the chips are on the line and it’s lousy weather, one of those guys is going to take his team to the Super Bowl.” (21:47)

Personal Perspective: Dan Hoard's Roots

• Grew up in Jamestown, NY; attending games at Buffalo’s stadium as a child, making returning broadcasts personally meaningful (23:18).
• Influenced by legendary Bills broadcaster Van Miller, shaping Hoard’s broadcasting style.

Coaching & Fan Base Sentiment

• Natural fan impatience after missing playoffs and tough seasons, but owner Mike Brown tends to be patient.
• “If they win a few games, they’ll want him back. Zach Taylor took the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021… Cincinnati’s owner… is more patient… I don't really get the sense that Zach Taylor is in jeopardy…” (26:03)

Game Outlook: Bills vs. Bengals

• Key Question: “Is Cincinnati’s defensive improvement for real? Can they make it four games in a row where they’ve actually given the Bengals a chance to win?” (27:44)
• Game comes down to Bengals D giving Burrow the chance to outscore Allen.
• “I think Joe’s going to play well because he almost always does, and now he’s got a game under his belt. So I think it comes down to if the Bengals defense can play well enough to give the offense a chance.” (27:44–28:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He’s one of the best to do it now, maybe one of the best to ever do it. Certainly in terms of his accuracy, he’s one of the best to ever do it. And it’s given the Bengals hope despite the fact that they have a lousy record through 12 games.”
  — Dan Hoard on Joe Burrow (02:52)

• “Earlier this year, the way that defense was playing, I think Bengals fans were saying, Josh Allen’s going to set the NFL record for combined passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns in a single game. Now… they’ve got at least a reasonable chance to hold Buffalo to the type of number that would give Joe Burrow an opportunity to top it.”
  — Dan Hoard (27:44)

• “When Joe Burrow is healthy and can play 17 games or close to it, the Bengals are going to be one of the best teams in the NFL.”
  — Dan Hoard (19:12)

• “For Joe, once he was healthy, the record didn’t matter… Joe Burrow is like, I’m fine now. If I had never been hurt, you wouldn’t ask me to sit down with five games to go.”
  — Dan Hoard (04:13)

• “When Joe Burrow is around, you just. You stand up a little bit taller. You try to be a little bit more buttoned up because he is so good at what he does and cares so much about himself and the team that it affects everybody else.”
  — Dan Hoard (17:09)

• “I grew up in Jamestown, New York, a little bit south of Buffalo. I was a Bills fan as a kid. The first NFL games I ever went to were in that stadium… Whenever I have a chance to broadcast the game there, it’s a huge thrill for me because I just look out into the stands and remember where I was sitting as a kid.”
  — Dan Hoard (23:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:07] – Burrow’s impact; Bengals’ confidence and recent record with him
• [02:35] – Burrow shaking off rust, how he improved during first game back
• [03:52] – The accelerated and surprising timeline of Burrow’s return from injury
• [05:40] – Exploring playoff scenarios and how history favors a late-season Bengals surge
• [08:11] – Jamar Chase’s unique “running back” qualities & defensive headaches he causes
• [12:04] – Bengals run game resurgence with Chase Brown, O-line development
• [14:30] – Defensive low point: “80 points in back-to-back games and lost both”
• [16:56] – Burrow’s leadership style and effect on the locker room
• [19:05] – The role of health in Burrow’s and Bengals’ success
• [21:47] – Forecasting the AFC playoff field: Why QBs will make the difference
• [23:18] – Dan Hoard’s memories of Bills games as a child
• [26:03] – Cincy fanbase’s view of coach Zach Taylor; owner’s patience
• [27:44] – Game preview: can the Bengals defense keep up with Buffalo?

Summary

This episode offers a thorough, insightful look at the Bengals’ fortunes ahead of their matchup with the Bills. With Joe Burrow’s return, Cincinnati is energized and capable of a late push, as they've done in previous Zach Taylor seasons. Jamar Chase’s playmaking and a burgeoning run game are critical, but the improved defense—particularly its young, developing talent—will decide their fate. The AFC playoff race is considered wide open, likely determined by which team’s elite quarterback steps up. The episode closes with Dan Hoard’s personal reflections on broadcasting in Buffalo, underscoring the regional connections and history that make these games so meaningful for fans and broadcasters alike.