Buffalo Plus Podcast: Buffalo Bills Beat Steelers in Wild Card, Now Focused on Injuries and Kansas City Chiefs

Date: January 16, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ 31-17 Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The discussion balances celebratory analysis with growing concern over Buffalo's avalanche of injuries as they prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. The Buffalo Plus crew breaks down key moments from the game, the offense’s standout performance, the battered defense, and what lies ahead—a showdown with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Bills’ Resourceful Win Over the Steelers

• Survive and Advance – but at a Cost
  • The hosts agree the “survive” aspect of “survive and advance” is feeling extreme due to injuries. “The injuries are absurd… the defense… looked like we were watching a very cold preseason game and it was crazy. But give them credit… they did a lot of things well.” — Mike (01:20)
• Offense Seizes the Moment
  • Unlike most of the season, this was a game where the offense, not the defense, carried the load.
  • “In so many moments this season, it has been the Bills defense to kind of steady things… Now tonight, it was the Bills offense going down the field, eating up the clock, scoring points to help keep this team afloat.” — Jenna (02:41)
  • Josh Allen had a spectacular game, highlighted by efficient passing and a jaw-dropping long touchdown run.

The Injury Crisis

• Decimated Defense
  • The team was missing its top four cornerbacks and three linebackers at one point.
  • “It’s insane. Those guys on the field hadn’t played meaningful snaps since preseason… Unbelievable what this defense does.” — Dan (01:53)
  • The hosts contextualize why Pittsburgh's late-game surge was no surprise given the depletion.
• Terrell Bernard’s Injury
  • Bernard, labeled “the heart of this defense,” was carted off with an ankle injury. X-rays were negative, but his status is tenuous:
    • “Doesn’t look good for Sunday… The fact that Ian Rapaport is saying X-rays were negative is somewhat encouraging… maybe a slim bit of optimism.” — Dan (12:15)
• A.J. Klein’s Heroics
  • Veteran linebacker A.J. Klein, initially on vacation, was called from retirement, practiced just days before the game, and led the team in tackles (13:02).
  • “He was doing scouting at practice… then he’s out there on the field and he looked good… calling the defense in a playoff game.” — Mike (13:36)

Offensive Highlights

• Josh Allen’s Signature Run
  • Allen’s 52-yard touchdown scramble electrified the team and fans:
    • “There’s a lot of guys screaming, ‘slide!’… didn’t slide and scored. So it worked out that time.” — (05:41)
    • Allen responded to advice: “He just looked at me like I was crazy.”
    • Khalil Shakir: “He’s just a freak of nature… When he's playing like that, good luck.” (06:35)
• The Weaponization of Khalil Shakir
  • Shakir’s wild touchdown catch-and-run sealed the win and showcased his evolution:
    • “He’s a weapon for this team now… that was the dagger that really solidified things.” — Mike & Jenna (07:12–07:33)
    • Sean McDermott’s praise: “His measurables aren’t that impressive… but measure him as a football player and he’s pretty special.” — Dan, describing McDermott’s stance (08:08)
  • Comparisons to Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie, and Robert Woods—a reliable, sneaky playmaker (08:33).

Defensive Standouts and Resilience

• Kyrie Elam’s Timely Interception
  • Elam, thrust in due to injuries, overcame early struggles for a huge pick that kept the Steelers at bay:
    • “If you can put on a uniform, they may need you… he went out, ended up making a huge play, that interception.” — Mike (15:36)
• Secondary and Depth Players Step Up
  • Dane Jackson, Dorian Williams, and the patchwork unit’s contributions are highlighted.
  • Dan: “I don’t know if there are many guys I would rather have calling a defense right now in the NFL than Sean McDermott… patching this together with duct tape and bubblegum.” (14:14, 14:26)

Special Teams and Kicking Woes

• Tyler Bass’s Blocks and Misses
  • “We got a kicking problem on this team… it sounded like he was kicking a brick.” — Mike (09:45–09:58)
  • While not costly this week, it’s flagged as a persistent concern.

Looking Ahead: Kansas City Comes to Buffalo

• First Playoff Game in Buffalo for Mahomes
  • The Chiefs have not played a true postseason road game at Buffalo with fans until now.
  • “It’s gonna be fun to have Mahomes here. First…” — Mike (16:31)
  • Noted the Chiefs’ current offense is less explosive than in years past, but still dangerous with Pacheco, Kelce, and Rice (17:08).
• Bills’ Identity: Physicality
  • The hosts agree this year’s team feels tougher:
    • “For the first time in a while… they're physical… they can play in the cold.” — Dan (17:30)
• Framing the Stakes
  • “Next week is the week that… puts them over the top. You win that game, you beat Mahomes, you go back to the AFC championship… that’s something.” — Mike (18:08)
  • Emphasis on the opportunity and potential significance of beating Kansas City at home.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan on injuries and defense stepping up:
  “Unbelievable job to at least stop the bleeding. Maybe you didn’t stop it. You slowed down the bleeding. At least until Josh Allen had enough time to take over…” (02:12)
• On Allen’s signature run:
  “He’s just a freak of nature… When he’s playing like that, good luck.” — Khalil Shakir (06:35)
• On Shakir’s reliability:
  “As reliable as a Subaru.” — Dan (08:53)
• On the state of the defense:
  “Patching this defense together with duct tape and bubble gum. Unbelievable job.” — Dan (14:26)
• On the upcoming Chiefs game:
  “Next week is the week. You win that game, you beat Mahomes, you go back to the AFC championship justice. That is… that’s something.” — Mike (18:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:20 – Bills' injury struggles explained
• 02:41 – Offense carries the team: a new wrinkle
• 05:18 – Josh Allen's signature 52-yard TD run discussed
• 07:12 – Khalil Shakir’s clutch touchdown and emergence
• 09:45 – Kicking game mishaps and concerns
• 10:51 – Terrell Bernard’s defensive value; injury updates (12:15 report: X-rays negative)
• 13:02 – A.J. Klein’s surprise impact
• 14:26 – Defensive coaching feats: Sean McDermott praise
• 15:36 – Kair Elam’s redemption with key interception
• 16:31 – Looking ahead: Chiefs come to Buffalo
• 17:38 – Noting Bills’ newfound physicality
• 18:08 – Stakes and significance of facing Mahomes at home

Final Take

The Bills’ playoff win over the Steelers was a testament to depth, adaptability, and star power, especially from Josh Allen and the next-man-up defense. But the chronic wave of injuries sets up a daunting test as Kansas City arrives in Orchard Park—a pivotal moment for Buffalo’s season legacy. The Buffalo Plus crew captures both the anxiety of attrition and the optimism of a team that refuses to fold.