Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills vs. Cowboys Preview

Episode Date: December 15, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Theme: An in-depth preview of the upcoming Week 15 Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys matchup in Buffalo, with discussion of recent team stories, strategies, and key players.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the high-stakes Bills vs. Cowboys matchup in Orchard Park, exploring both teams’ recent performances, playoff implications, strategies, and off-field narratives. The Buffalo Plus team—Mike, Jenna, and Dan—bring their signature banter, candid analysis, and insider perspective, balancing humor with sharp football insight.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of the Buffalo Bills Post-Chiefs Win

• Relevance and Momentum: The Bills' win over Kansas City was framed as possibly Sean McDermott’s biggest as a head coach—keeping Buffalo's playoff hopes alive and restoring some "swagger" to the team.

  "That win against Kansas City, I think it's as big a win as Sean McDermott's had as the head coach of the Bills... in 2023, with where they are and where they've been, they needed that so badly." —Mike [00:58]

• Handling Adversity: The team rallied around its leaders in the face of off-field headlines (particularly regarding Von Miller’s situation and criticism of McDermott's character).

  "It did galvanize the team... you heard Micah Hyde come out here and say that was a low blow... I'll go to bat or I got Sean McDermott's back every single day of the week and twice on Sunday." —Dan [01:33]

• Imperfect But Resilient: The hosts note the Bills haven’t played a "complete game" recently but managed to "win ugly"—a mark of a mature, playoff-minded team.

2. Reflections on "Ugly Wins" and Fan Expectations

• Winning Matters More Than Style: The group counters the idea that style points or playing your “A game” is necessary at this time of year.

  "There is not a committee that decides who makes it right. You want pretty... It doesn't put another point on the board the next week." —Mike [03:04]

• Narrative Swings: Both victories and defeats prompt hyperbolic reactions, but what counts is stacking wins, especially in December.

  "When the Bills lose, they make excuses. Then when they win, people are like, well, they still barely won." —Dan [03:58]

3. McDermott’s Redemption and Defending in Big Moments

• Coaching Critique Responded To: The defense came through for McDermott in a key moment, bucking the trend of late-game collapses.

  "[It was] poetic justice... for Sean McDermott’s defense to come up in that moment." —Jenna [05:00] "They blitzed the crap out of Patrick Mahomes and it worked." —Dan [03:58]

4. Preview: Bills vs. Cowboys Matchup

Historical Context and the Rarity of the Matchup

• The Bills and Cowboys seldom meet; most recent games include 2019’s Thanksgiving in Dallas and the 5-interception Tony Romo game.

Cowboys’ Strengths & Stakes

• Dallas brings a 10-3 record, dangerous offense, and real NFC playoff stakes. They could finish as high as a 1-seed, or as low as a 5-seed despite winning out.

• Dak Prescott’s MVP Play:

  "Dak is playing an MVP caliber season this year." —Jenna [07:47]

  • The team jokes about LaShawn McCoy's infamous "Dak is ass" quote, then notes how wrong that take looks in 2023.

• Offensive Weapons: CD Lamb stakes a claim among the league’s best WRs, supported by Tony Pollard, Brandon Cooks, and the emergence of TE Ferguson.

  "You can make an argument for [Lamb] being the best wide receiver in the league this year, except for Tyreek Hill." —Mike [13:27]

• Mike McCarthy’s Narrative: Once seen as a laughingstock, McCarthy has quietly built a Super Bowl-resume-caliber season:

  "McCarthy gets laughed at by a lot of people. He has a resume of a Super Bowl champion..." —Mike [08:50]

• Home/Road Splits: Dallas is dominant at home (undefeated), more vulnerable on the road—a factor in Buffalo’s favor.

Weather Factor in Buffalo

• Potential bad weather could "muck up" the game and play to the Bills’ advantage.

  "I think they want it to be a little ugly... you want this to become a physical ground and pound game because the Bills have run the ball pretty well." —Dan [12:14]

5. Bills’ Gameplan: Offense Needs to Click

• Run Game Key: James Cook’s emergence is a highlight, though pass protection keeps some limitations on his snaps.

  "If you want to see more of Cook, let this offensive line be ready for the pressure... I'd split him out. I'd have him all over the place. He's a weapon." —Mike [28:17]

• Josh Allen's Legs Revitalized:

  "You know what else is a really good weapon? Josh Allen running the football." —Dan [29:55]

  • Under Joe Brady, Allen’s rushing attempts have nearly doubled (from 4.8 to 8 per game).
• Pre-Snap Motion as a Difference Maker:

  "The way to beat this Dallas defense... is to do pre-snap motion, which Joe Brady has brought in a ton of." —Dan [25:24]

  • With motion, opposing QBs’ QBR jumps from 36 (no motion) to 57 (with motion).

6. Concerns Over the Passing Game: Diggs & Davis

• Stefon Diggs Slump: Fewer explosive plays and more drops have cast concern, though the crew doesn’t question his effort or commitment.

  "He's pressing a little, and I don't know if he would really admit that, but he appears to be pressing a little bit." —Mike [18:06] "But at any moment, the guy can be back." —Mike [19:33]

• Gabe Davis’s Inconsistency: Minimal targets and production lately; missed opportunities (like being wide open late vs. KC) limit his impact.

7. Cowboys’ Defensive Threats

• Key Players: Stephon Gilmore’s return as a top corner is noted, but most attention centers on Micah Parsons.

  "Micah Parsons—he's a freak... Dion Dawkins called him himothy times two." —Jenna [24:02]

  • Joe Brady relates a story: when Parsons arrived at Penn State, he wanted to play wide receiver and was the best WR in camp [24:20].
• Defensive Scheme: Parsons' movement across the line makes protection challenging; Dallas also brings unpredictable pressure and features dynamic players like DaRon Bland (six pick-sixes this year).

8. Bills Defensive Outlook

• Buffalo’s defense has held most “number one” receivers in check this year despite secondary injuries.

  "They have done a pretty good job for the most part. And like I said, you can't take away everybody, but I think you've got to take away CeeDee Lamb." —Dan [16:06]

• Micah Hyde is likely out, but the defensive scheme has shown adaptability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|---------|----------------| | 00:58 | Mike | "That win against Kansas City, I think it's as big a win as Sean McDermott's had as the head coach of the Bills..." | | 01:33 | Dan | "That's a low blow for somebody to do that... I'll go to bat or I got Sean McDermott's back every single day of the week and twice on Sunday." | | 03:04 | Mike | "There is not a committee that decides who makes it right... You want pretty... It doesn't put another point on the board the next week." | | 05:00 | Jenna | "It was poetic justice for Sean McDermott’s defense to come up in that moment." | | 07:47 | Jenna | "Dak... He is playing an MVP caliber season this year." | | 13:27 | Mike | "You can make an argument for [CeeDee Lamb] being the best wide receiver in the league this year, except for Tyreek Hill." | | 19:33 | Mike | "But at any moment, the guy can be back." (on Stefon Diggs) | | 24:02 | Jenna | "Micah Parsons... Dan, he's pretty good." and "Dion Dawkins called him himothy times two." | | 25:24 | Dan | "The way to beat this Dallas defense also—is to do pre-snap motion, which is something Joe Brady has brought in a ton of." | | 29:55 | Dan | "You know what else is a really good weapon? Josh Allen running the football well." | | 32:10 | Mike | "This is what you want, right? This is what you want? Yeah. In December. Relevant games." |

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:58-06:15 — State of the Bills after Chiefs win; impact on team psyche and playoff hopes
• 07:00-10:15 — Previewing the Cowboys game, Dallas backstory, and stakes for both teams
• 12:00-14:30 — Weather discussion and impact; importance of the Bills’ run game
• 15:07-16:22 — How Buffalo’s defense matches up with Cowboys’ offensive weapons
• 17:42-19:33 — Concerns over Stefon Diggs’ production and overall WR play
• 24:02-26:33 — Micah Parsons’ impact story and Dallas’s defensive approach
• 25:24-27:41 — The strategic value of pre-snap motion under Joe Brady
• 28:17-29:14 — James Cook’s emergence, but challenge of pass protection
• 29:55-31:26 — Allen as a running threat again under Joe Brady
• 32:10+ — Final notes on game implications, emotional wins, and the fun press box banter

Podcast Tone and Banter

The episode is marked by warmth, quick-witted exchanges, and a sense of camaraderie—typical for Buffalo Plus. The humor (e.g., the recounting of McCoy’s “Dak is ass” quote, press box food disputes, weather "curse" jokes, and spilled coffee stories) balances the serious breakdowns—making for an accessible yet insightful listening experience.

Takeaway

The Bills enter a pivotal matchup with both hope and urgency, knowing they haven’t put together their best game but have the pieces—and momentum—to challenge the Cowboys. The Cowboys, meanwhile, arrive as NFC contenders but face a new test in the cold, on the road, against a dangerous, desperate Buffalo side. With playoff implications, resurgent stars, and plenty of storylines, this is December football at its best.