Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: BILLS vs BRONCOS Instant PLAYOFF Preview and the RIGHT WAY Buffalo Handled the MONEY in Week 18
Date: January 6, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Podcast: Buffalo Plus

Overview

The Buffalo Plus team delivers an instant playoff preview as the Buffalo Bills are set to host the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card round. The team recaps Buffalo’s regular season finale, discusses initial reactions to the playoff matchup, and highlights how the Bills prioritized player incentives ("the money") in Week 18. Throughout, the crew maintains their signature mix of humor, behind-the-scenes insight, and honest, critical analysis.

Main Topics & Insights

1. Instant Reaction: Bills vs. Broncos Playoff Matchup

Starts: 00:47

• Bills Are the Focus:
  Mike stresses that this playoff run is "about the Bills," not the opponent:

  "If the Bills play well, they win the game. They win it comfortably." — Mike (04:49)

• Broncos’ Mindset as Underdogs:
  Jenna is wary of the Broncos as a "free money" team playing with house money and little pressure:

  "No one expected them to have this season... the pressure is off" — Jenna (03:31)

• Importance of Playoff Experience:
  The team recalls Buffalo’s habit of making opening playoff games tougher than expected, regardless of matchup:

  “Games ended up being tough, close... It’s the playoffs, man. You just gotta win and advance.” — Mike (05:51)

• Bo Nix's Profile:
  The Broncos’ rookie QB, Bo Nix, impresses with his "swagger" and fearlessness, but the hosts feel the Bills’ experience gives them the edge:

  "He's got moxie... He plays the game like Baker [Mayfield], but he does have swagger." — Mike (08:48)

Key Quote:

“I like that this game is about the Bills. If the Bills play well, they win the game. They win it comfortably.”
— Mike Catalana (04:49)

2. Breaking Down the Matchup

Starts: 10:00

• Broncos’ Strengths:

  • Pass rush and defensive talent (Nick Bonitto highlighted for an “incredible” year of pressure, 60 sacks in total).
  • Top CB Patrick Surtain, but hosts debate who he’ll be assigned to with Buffalo’s rotating receivers.

• Bills Matching Up:

  • Bills’ O-line and Josh Allen’s pocket presence are seen as strengths against Denver’s rush.
  • Flexibility in Buffalo’s passing attack if Surtain locks down one WR:

    "If I’m Josh and I’m Joe Brady, I’m looking, going, ‘Okay, where's Patrick Surtain? Not throwing to him. Totally fine. All the other guys are where I’m going to go.'" – Dan (11:36)

• Concerns: Keon Coleman’s Development

  • Dan and Jenna express concern over rookie WR Keon Coleman’s lack of separation and inconsistent play:

    “I can see that he’s not gaining any separation... all the concerns we had preseason when they drafted him, I haven’t really seen it.” — Dan (12:05)

  • Mike notes two things can be true: Coleman’s still developing, but excuses vanish in the playoffs.

    “You can’t get the excuse of being a rookie. He still is in his first year... Not a good day for him today.” — Mike (13:14)

3. Week 18: Bills Prioritize Player Incentives

Starts: 25:10

• Celebrating Milestones:

  • Josh Allen’s one-play appearance (handoff then out) drew lighthearted analysis.
  • The locker room’s focus on helping teammates earn contract incentives—both performance and statistical—was applauded:

    “A lot of players won in the old bank account category here guys... The Bills lost, but a lot of players won in the old bank account category." — Dan (25:11)

• Specific Achievements:

  • Von Miller earned a $1.5 million bonus for reaching 6 sacks (1 snap, 1 sack).
  • Punter Sam Martin got $100k for his 25th punt inside the 20.
  • James Cook hit 1,000 rushing yards and tied O.J. Simpson's single-season TD record.

• Locker Room Unity:
  The players’ joy at helping each other reach goals is seen as a great locker room culture indicator:

  “It’s big... you see all the work they put in, and they deserve those accolades.” — Mike (29:28)

Key Quote:

“If guys are close, like, we want to help you get to that money because you deserve it.”
— Jenna Cottrell (30:17)

4. Additional Notes and Locker Room Updates

Starts: 18:22

• Safety Play:
  Demar Hamlin played extended snaps to reacclimate him after missing several games; Sean McDermott explained this was deliberate to build communication for the playoffs.

• Rasul Douglas & Defensive Backs:
  Douglas suited up but played only early snaps; indicates which DBs will be relied upon in the playoffs.

• Kicker Woes:
  Tyler Bass missed an extra point, continuing a late-season hiccup with his accuracy. The hosts warn that lingering small issues can become big problems in the playoffs:

  “The little issues that crop up during the season can become big problems in the playoffs.” — Jenna (31:05)

5. Around the AFC East: Patriots Coaching Drama

Starts: 20:39

• Jerod Mayo Fired Minutes After Win:
  The hosts are stunned by Mayo’s abrupt post-game firing, discussing how NFL teams handle coaching changes and implications for New England.

• Potential Mike Vrabel Hire:
  Jenna voices concern that if the Patriots hire Mike Vrabel and pair him with a good quarterback, the rivalry will intensify:

  "It would scare me if they get Vrabel though. I don't like that, because they have a good quarterback... big culture guy." — Jenna (24:23)

6. Playoff Seed, Game Time, and Bills' Mood

Starts: 24:51

• Speculating Game Time:
  Team expects a Saturday night slot, but time was unconfirmed during recording.

• Bills’ Atmosphere:
  Despite the Week 18 loss, locker room energy is high due to earned bonuses and playoff anticipation.

7. Noteworthy Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bo Nix:

  “He’s Young Baker [Mayfield]. More mature than Young Baker. He plays the game like Baker, but he does have moxie.” — Mike (08:48)

• On player rewards:

  "Punters are football players, too, and they like money probably as much as the next football player." — Dan (28:19)

• On social media heat:

  "I can't tweet anything without somebody that's flock 1742 coming into my mentions, Dan, and calling me every name in the book." — Dan (32:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Preview of Bills-Broncos Matchup: 00:47 – 08:32
• Broncos Defensive Strengths/Bills Offense: 10:00 – 12:00
• Keon Coleman Critique: 12:05 – 18:00
• Safety Rotation / Defensive Backs: 18:22 – 20:07
• Patriots Coaching Change Discussion: 20:39 – 24:51
• Player Incentives and Locker Room Unity: 25:10 – 30:17
• Tyler Bass Concerns: 30:42 – 32:00
• Social Media/Ravens Fans Bit: 32:40 – 34:46

Tone & Style

• Informal, humorous banter blended with insight.
• Honest, critical, but supportive of the team.
• Occasional playful interruptions and anticipation of heated fan reactions, especially around social media "takes."

Conclusion

This episode serves as an immediate look ahead to the Bills/Broncos playoff game, blending tactical preview with analysis of team culture and regular season wrap-up. The Buffalo Plus crew sets the stage for a playoff run, balancing optimism with realism and drawing on their deep access and long-term view of the franchise.

For more, catch future Buffalo Plus playoff content and the live show Thursday night at Thirsty Turtle in Victor, NY!