Buffalo Plus Podcast: "Buffalo Bills Bounce Back – 10 Takeaways on Win and Josh Allen Being Josh Allen"

Date: October 27, 2023
Hosted by: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team dives deep into the Buffalo Bills' 24-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They break down what led to the offensive resurgence, highlight key performances (especially Josh Allen’s), discuss changes in personnel, address defensive adjustments, and reflect on the energy shift following recent struggles. The hosts also cover injury concerns, trade deadline possibilities, and notable sideline (and halftime) moments that defined the night.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Offense Finds Its Groove (00:00–05:00)

• Back to Basics: Ken Dorsey’s play-calling drew comparisons to former OC Brian Daboll, with a renewed focus on up-tempo offense and 11 personnel (3 WR, 1 TE).
  • Dan Fetes (01:24): "It was really cool that Ken Dorsey decided...for Halloween coming up, be Brian Daboll."
• Letting Josh Allen Be Josh Allen: Allen’s unique athleticism was finally maximized again, opening up the playbook and stressing the defense.
• Energy Through Execution:
  • Mike Catalana (03:18): "For this offense, it also looked like they were having fun again...Execution leads to energy, and you saw that."
• Coordinated Adjustment: The offense’s near-seamless execution stressed the Bucs’ defense, who were "gasping for air" as Buffalo kept tempo high (02:42).

2. Play Calling, Positivity, and One Big Mistake (04:09–05:00)

• Ken Dorsey Praised:
  • Jenna Cottrell (04:09): "I thought Ken Dorsey was a game caller in this one. I thought he did an excellent job."
• Goal Line Gaffe: The shotgun run from the 1-yard line was heavily critiqued.
  • Mike (04:17): "Send that play to the moon."
• Player Involvement: The offensive players (such as Gabe Davis) attributed the tempo uptick to a team-wide, collaborative decision (11:30).

3. Josh Allen’s Performance and Injury Concerns (05:00–07:00)

• Medical Tent Scare:
  • Jenna (05:05): "Holy shit, Josh Allen!"
• Toughness Under Duress: Allen played through pain, favoring his shoulder even as he celebrated (05:59).
  • Dan (06:16): "He did say he was slightly concerned going into the medical tent."
• Learning to Slide: Allen’s sliding drew rare praise from Coach McDermott, who quipped:
  • (06:53) Sean McDermott (via Jenna): "There's nothing else I can say besides getting out a baseball bat and hitting him in the helmet with it."
  • The team and media enjoyed the exchange, lightening the mood (07:17).

4. Emergence of Kincaid and Shakir (07:31–11:05)

• Dalton Kincaid Breakout:
  • First career touchdown plus 5 catches for 65 yards.
  • Mike (08:07): "That play was great. That was a great catch. Feet inbound. He's not burning by people with speed...but he's a really talented guy."
• Khalil Shakir’s Big Night: Led the team in receiving; praised for smooth route running despite lacking elite speed or size.
  • Jenna (10:37): "He just looked smooth out there...it was the Khalil Shakir game."

5. Personnel Shifts – 11 and “10.5” Personnel (11:30–14:15)

• Up-Tempo Here to Stay: The crew advocated that the Bills’ offense should stick with 11 personnel after this success.
  • Dan (13:01): "It's done. It's done."
• ‘Let Josh Be Josh’ Movement: Calls to let Allen play to his strengths were vindicated by the dominant performance.
• Creativity in Scheming:
  • Shovel passes, WRs on crossing routes, and spreading the ball led to confusion for the Bucs’ defense (12:17).

6. Breaking Down the Run Game (17:34–18:22)

• James Cook’s Frustration: Upset about being pulled and about shotgun handoffs.
  • Dan (17:39): "I don't think James Cook likes shotgun handoffs either."
• Functional but Not Dominant: The running game provided rest breaks for WRs and Allen, with acceptable efficiency but wasn’t a game-changer.

7. Defensive Adjustments and Concerns (18:26–24:44)

• Kair Elam’s Future Bleak:
  • Dan (18:31): "Kyrie [Elam] probably played his last snap for the Buffalo Bills."
  • Coaches’ comments made clear he is out of favor, supplanted by 35-year-old Josh Norman.
• Defensive DVOA/Missing Stars: The defense's stats have dropped after injuries, but the team still has playmakers and legitimate scheme faith.
  • Dan (20:15): "I still believe that this Bills defense can be a top 10 defense statistically at the end of the season."
• Key Performers: Jordan Poyer flying around, Benford and Ed Oliver both noted for active, impact play (21:12, 24:44).
• Frustrating Drive: Tampa’s late 97-yard drive extended by multiple penalties.
  • Mike (21:45): “Four BS flags on the play.”

8. Big Picture: Locker Room Energy & Leadership (27:55–29:12)

• Bringing Back the Fun:
  • Dan (27:57): “It was fun. It was fun.”
  • Mitch Morse (as recounted, 27:58): On execution and energy, "So do you got to execute first or can you bring the energy first?"
• Stefon Diggs Address: Diggs’ emotional speech hyped up the locker room pregame; McDermott didn't share the details but noted its impact (28:47).

9. Trade Deadline & Roster Outlook (26:50–27:37)

• Defensive help prioritized. Possible move for a defensive tackle or a corner; perhaps a low-level TE as insurance for Knox.
• "Big move" unlikely after the offense’s positive turnaround.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Let Josh Be Josh:
  • Dan (13:21): “Let Josh Cook and let Josh be Josh and all of these things...let Josh be Josh.”
• Ken Dorsey as the New Dable:
  • Mike (16:13): “Ken Dorsey’s calling a hell of a game.”
• Medical Tent Moment:
  • Jenna (05:05): “Holy shit, Josh Allen!”
• On Defensive Personnel:
  • Mike (19:26): "They tried playing [Elam] once, it was a disaster...It ain’t happening here."
• Locker Room Fun:
  • Mike (27:58): "My story at the 5 o’clock newscast was how this wasn’t fun, how none of this was fun. We’re sitting here now, seven hours later...this was fun."
• Comedic McDermott:
  • (06:53) "Besides getting out a baseball bat and hitting him in the helmet with it."
• Frisbee Dog Halftime Show:
  • Mike (25:45): "The whole crowd was going crazy. People were standing up, cheering for dogs."
• Cowboy Vaughn Miller:
  • (24:49) Vaughn Miller showed up in boots and diamond necklaces: "He’s not gonna get bitten by a snake tonight. Nope."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–05:00: Opening, offense takes over, up-tempo and Josh Allen discussion
• 05:00–07:00: Allen’s tent scare, injury update, sliding, and McDermott’s joke
• 07:31–11:05: Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir’s breakout games
• 11:30–14:15: Embracing 11 personnel, letting Allen run wild
• 17:34–18:22: James Cook and the run game struggles
• 18:26–24:44: Defensive changes, Elam’s likely exit, hope for top-10 status
• 24:49–25:49: Vaughn Miller’s cowboy outfit, locker room swagger
• 25:34–26:24: Frisbee dog halftime show
• 26:50–27:37: Trade deadline possibilities
• 27:55–29:12: Energy, leadership, return of “fun” to the locker room

Tone & Language

The hosts remain enthusiastic, humorous, and analytical, often sharing quick-witted barbs and friendly banter. Their insider knowledge and locker-room anecdotes lend credibility and relatability, balancing critical assessment with clear excitement for Buffalo's return to form.

Summary Takeaway

The Bills responded emphatically on offense, returning to a fast, spread, and unpredictable attack with Josh Allen at the center. The defense, despite injury setbacks, showed resolve, and the team’s energy was unmistakably higher—thanks to leadership, locker-room buy-in, and a sense of fun returning to Orchard Park. The podcast offers both sharp critique and high-level football insight, making sense of the win while projecting cautious optimism for what’s next.