Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills vs Texans – 5 Players to WATCH Thursday Night
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana & Jenna Cottrell
Episode Overview
In this episode, Mike Catalana and Jenna Cottrell broadcast from Houston ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ Thursday Night Football clash with the Houston Texans. They break down five pivotal Bills players to watch, analyze what to expect from both teams, and offer honest, insider commentary on injuries, player trust, and keys to victory. The conversation is rich with context and personal anecdotes, providing insight for both die-hard and casual followers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Josh Allen: Legacy and Challenges in Houston
- Record in Houston: Josh Allen is 0-3 in Houston, including the 2019 playoff heartbreak. Despite his dominance elsewhere, Houston is a "thorn in his side." [01:51]
- Recent Performance: Coming off a six-touchdown performance against the Bucs, but even Allen himself said, “he didn’t play good enough.” [00:49]
- Expectations vs. Texans: Hosts stress this won’t be a repeat of last week's offensive explosion. The Texans’ defense is “number one against points allowed.”
- Mike: “This is the kind of game... you cannot turn the ball over against this Houston team.” [02:14]
- Jenna: “We know we’ve seen Josh Allen be able to play like that, but against a very good Texans defense, you want to see him be in control.” [03:16]
- Stat to Watch: For the Bills to win, Allen must "play smart, make plays," and avoid heroics that lead to mistakes.
2. Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis: Earning and Regaining Trust
- Tyrell Shavers: Elevated from practice squad, earned trust with big plays.
- Mike quoting McDermott: “For a guy like him, no job too small, no job too big.” [00:13] & [04:09]
- Jenna: “You can love someone’s story, but that doesn’t mean you trust them. But I think you see that trust because it has been built over seasons together.” [04:58]
- Shavers is praised for his work ethic: “If I want to stay late and do routes, he’s there. If I want to come in early, like, he is always around, and that’s really important.” [04:58]
- Gabe Davis: After a solid first game back, expectations are for him to become "another reliable piece" for Allen. [05:45]
3. Offensive Line Battles
- Key Players: Deion Dawkins & Spencer Brown (the tackles)
- Face a fierce Texans front (Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter).
- Mike: “They hunt quarterbacks. They are physical. ... The best defense in the league.” [06:10]
- O-Line Mandate: Protect Josh Allen from the beating he took last year, open up run lanes, and play through adversity.
- Physicality & Attitude: Both hosts want to see “that nasty attitude” from the line. [06:56]
4. Defensive Spotlight: Terrell Bernard & LB/Front-7 Health
- Bernard’s Burden: Playing through ankle issues, yet a captain "doing everything he can to stay on the field." [07:20]
- Hosts offer nuanced understanding: Want Bernard to play better, recognize his injury, and advocate for more rotation with Shaq Thompson. “It doesn’t have to be one or the other.” [08:41]
- Ed Oliver Update: Homecoming, grinning at practice; his performance “very impactful” to Bernard’s play. [09:09]
- Supporting Cast: Better D-line and secondary play (Cole Bishop, Max) improves the whole defense.
- “They need to be doing more to help out the linebackers.” [09:18]
5. Under-the-Radar: Christian Benford & the Secondary
- Benford Watch: Primary CB assignment likely vs. Nico Collins.
- Jenna: “Kind of a quiet season so far ... Assuming Nico Collins is out there... that’s a big spot for him.” [09:54]
- Recent Form: Passed defense looked better vs. Tampa; hosts hope for continued improvement.
- Texans' Offense: Davis Mills is confident, 2-0 as starter, but Houston’s run game is less threatening—good for the Bills’ embattled run defense. [11:05]
- Short Week Concerns: Fatigue is a significant factor for players and performance.
- Mike: “The fresher team will be better.” [12:01]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Shavers’ Role:
- Mike (quoting McDermott):
"For a guy like him, no job too small, no job too big." [00:13] / [04:09]
- Jenna:
"But I think you see that trust because it has been built over seasons together." [04:58]
- Mike (quoting McDermott):
-
On Allen’s Mindset:
- Mike:
"This is the kind of game I really do believe...you cannot turn the ball over against this Houston team." [02:14]
- Jenna:
“We saw the Josh Allen ex full experience on Sunday, but…protecting the football, making those smart decisions.” [03:16]
- Mike:
-
On Bernard’s Toughness:
- Mike:
"Sometimes…we have a value to fans. When we say we’re in the locker room…you talk to a player who’s, you know, hurting physically, and he is doing everything he can to stay on the field." [07:31]
- Mike:
-
Short Week Reality:
- Mike:
“Here I am doing a second game in five days. Anybody giving me anything?” [11:58]
- Mike:
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Josh Allen’s history in Houston & expectations: [00:49] – [03:16]
- Tyrell Shavers’ journey & trust building: [04:09] – [05:26]
- Offensive line challenges: [06:10] – [06:56]
- Terrell Bernard’s health and LB play: [07:20] – [08:41]
- Ed Oliver’s impact & D-line rotation: [09:05] – [09:54]
- Christian Benford & secondary focus: [09:54] – [11:05]
- Short week discussion: [11:42] – [12:30]
- Predictions: [12:30] – [13:13]
Host Predictions
- Mike: Greg Rousseau to recover a fumble after a Joey Bosa strip sack. [12:44]
- Jenna: Terrell Bernard or Cole Bishop to get another interception. [13:03]
Tone & Style
The hosts mix insider nuance ("We're in the locker room, we're at practice…you talk to them" [07:31]) with humor and local flavor ("Sorry back in Western New York…dealing with this hot weather" [00:44]). Their authentic, conversational style draws deeply on years covering the Bills, making the episode both accessible and insightful.
Summary
This episode of Buffalo Plus offers a thorough, X’s-and-O’s yet personable preview of the Bills vs. Texans Thursday night tilt, focusing on the meaningful contributions and challenges facing five key players. Catalana and Cottrell’s blend of analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and smart commentary makes this episode a must-listen for informed Bills fans ahead of a crucial AFC matchup.