Buffalo Bills bounce back. 10 Takeways on win and Josh Allen being Josh Allen

Summary

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.

Transcript

[A]

The fact that you can spread a defense out, go up tempo.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With 11 personnel, and let Josh Allen, your freakish unicorn athletic quarterback, run how good and successful it can be for an offense.

[B]

Did you see my quote tweet?

[A]

Yes, I see.

[B]

How could you be so controversial yet so brave?

[A]

This is the Buffalo Podcast, brought to you by Connors and Ferris.

[B]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Janet Cottrell. The Bills winning this one over the Bucs 24 to 18. Please be sure to, like, comment subscribe to the channel. We got notes here, people.

[C]

And also make sure to check us out on all of your different audio devices where you get your podcasts. Spotify, Apple, Apple, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, all the things the host is supposed to do.

[B]

I was excited. I wanted to actually talk about it.

[C]

I know Dan was pushing you to, like, comment, subscribe, but he's ready to go.

[B]

I know. All right, Dan, sound off.

[A]

We're about to get Danny positive vibes here.

[C]

It's a Ken Dorsey pie.

[B]

Wait, it's Dan's birthday? That's right. Happy birthday, Dan.

[A]

You're about to get positive vibes Danny here.

[B]

Okay, let's hear it.

[A]

Well, I thought it was really cool that Ken Dorsey decided to be, like, you know, for Halloween coming up, be Brian Dable.

[B]

It was awesome the way you could pivot. You could pivot so hard.

[A]

I tweeted it out. It was sarcastic. But the fact that you can spread a defense out, go up tempo with 11 personnel, and let Josh Allen, your freakish unicorn athletic quarterback, run how good and successful it can be for an offense.

[B]

Did you see my quote tweet?

[A]

Yes, I did.

[B]

How could you be so controversial yet so brave?

[C]

Yeah, they did do a lot of those things. It was also, to use a Josh Allen favorite word, execution. He did it when the guy was open. The ball came out of his hands, and they continued to do that. And he used the Tom Brady method of offense. Who's your favorite receiver who's ever open? And that's what he did in this one.

[B]

Sharing the ball.

[A]

There were a lot of all pro offensive coordinators at home that felt very vindicated today because these were things that we screamed for. Go up tempo. Let Josh run again. He did all those things. And this offense looked like the offense of old. This looks like what we've been wanting to see, especially this season. This looked even, in my opinion, better than Miami. It looked better to me. To me, this is who the Bills are. This is what they should do on a consistent basis.

[C]

You didn't like what they did in my. Against Miami.

[A]

It was easy, but like this was not even methodical. It was. You were, you were. It was efficient. It was. I'm watching it and I can see the Bucks defense or defenders gasping for air. Like, like it was, it was body blows, body blows, body blows. That, that was going to cause damage over time.

[B]

Yeah. You could just.

[A]

And I was talking about Mitch Morris. When you go up tempo and, and Diggs talked about it this week. You can dictate what the defense does. They can't blitz, they can't. Their exotic things.

[C]

Dan is in up tempo mode.

[B]

I was gonna say, how much sugar did you have today?

[A]

I loved it. It's. Yeah.

[B]

I will say for this offense, it also looked like they were having fun again. And we joke so much about are the Bills not having. Are they not enjoying themselves, all this stuff. But when you're winning and you're scoring touchdowns, that is fun. Josh Allen talked about this week leading into it. Execution leads to energy. And you saw that. And Sean McDermott talked about this post game. There were some easy plays also, which he said, you know, some in weeks past. Sometimes every play was an adventure.

[A]

They listened to the pod.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

They followed the pot.

[C]

We would say that like. And look, I gotta say this. This team was struggling for different reasons. And I believed, and you guys too, that a lot of it was in the play calling and the execution of the game plan. Dan and I and Jenna were talking about, you know, I think it was. You say it was Dan Orlovsky that was talking about. You were play callers and then your game callers. Yeah.

[A]

How to call a game.

[C]

I thought Ken Dorsey was a game caller in this one. I thought he did an excellent job.

[A]

One bad call.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The shotgun at the goal line. Again, didn't love that.

[A]

Send that play to the moon.

[B]

But as you said, Po Buddy's nerficed. Yes, exactly.

[C]

But at the same time with that, I don't see. Now look, that's gonna come up when you need that touchdown. On that play. They got around it. I don't understand. You got Latavius Murray. You have him standing still in the back field as opposed to moving towards the line. If you put Josh under center, I don't get what they think they're getting there. It's hard to stop Murray. I think in those plays, the Bills stop Murray on those plays. Get rid of the play, get Josh under center.

[B]

That was the blemish you could talk of today in terms of the play calling. But still, I thought it was nice to see Josh Allen also be Josh Allen. A scary moment though, during the game. Josh goes to the medical tent. Obviously everyone's holding their breath. We saw what you tweeted, but we're like, holy shit. Holy crap, Josh Allen.

[C]

You can say it. We're okay.

[B]

Holy shit, Josh Allen.

[A]

It's so funny. The tent pops up and all of a sudden you see Josh as the blue tent comes over and it's like, why is he going in there? Like, because he just ran in the.

[C]

End zone for a touchdown, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I tweeted out as well, him coming off that field after that touchdown, nodding his head just like calmly like, it's that Mark Jackson mama. There goes that man. Like he's.

[C]

Every time he shook hands or did something afterwards.

[A]

So he went to the blue medical tent, all of a sudden was like. And he was in there for a while.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Like we're kind of Alan warming up.

[A]

On the sidelines and Josh comes out and Josh did a lot of this today. He was doing a lot of this. And then when he threw the touchdown pass to Kincaid. Look, Josh is, you know, the only, the only time he's missed was the rookie year. It was the ucl.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

He is as tough as they come as a quarterback. And I know he said that this is a pain tolerance thing, man. Is he playing through some pain?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Now because when he threw the touchdown pass, Kincaid, and he's high fiving everybody off the field, he has the ball for Kincaid so that he doesn't lose the ball. But it's left handed high fives to everybody and he is favoring it. It'll be nice to get some time off. He did say he was slightly concerned going into the medical tent.

[B]

Yeah. And I don't blame him. Of course he was. He talked that, you know, it is a scary situation, but that Pain Management, Sean McDermott saying Allen is a warrior, but that is something that don't love. You don't love going forward.

[C]

Now, what he did tonight to when he ran and he ran very effectively was he slid.

[A]

How about that?

[B]

So tell them what Sean McDermott is.

[C]

So I asked Sean McDermott about. You said you referenced Josh sliding. I said, do you have to keep telling him that? And he said he knows. And basically like, I'm done telling him.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I thought, well, that's gonna be it with Sean. He was sort of. He sort of paused and owned it. Right. And then he kept Going, he's like. Cause he knows he's got to do that.

[A]

So if he runs, there's nothing else I can say besides getting out a.

[C]

Baseball bat and hitting him in the helmet with it.

[B]

Truly I felt like you were, you know when you would go to a friend's house growing up and their dad would say something and then laugh, you're like, wait, but are you kidding? Like, I'm not really sure.

[C]

So he says, other than me hitting him in the head with a baseball bat. And then I just said, well, wasn't that defeat the purpose of him sliding? And he laughed, everybody. So I got a good, I got a good joke in there. Joke in the media.

[B]

He'll get a credit. He'll get a credit. Yeah, he'll get a credit. Okay, let's talk about Kincaid though. Dalton Kincaid, obviously. Dawson Knox. So he was moved to the ir. Dalton Kincaid was the only tight end out there. He had a nice week against the Patriots last week, but tonight feels first career touchdown, five catches, 65 yards, building off of a nice week and getting in the end zone as well. What did you see from him? Because we talked about RIP11 personnel but.

[C]

I think he just is just a smooth player. He's not dynamic. Nope, he is not. You don't want to touch him.

[B]

That catch though, the tip.

[C]

Oh, that play was great. That was a great catch. Feed inbound. I'm talking about. You don't see it in his speed. Look, he's been compared to Kelsey because Kelce is the ultimate that you would want in that kind of tight end. He does play the game like him. He finds his spots, he moves with an ease. He doesn't look ever doesn't look rattled when he's running rattles. He doesn't look like the defense is like he knows where he's going, he's going to get there. He's not burning by people with speed. I think he's a really talented guy and now they're finding ways to get him the ball. And I think Josh has always had a trust in him but now he's become not just a guy I can throw it to. He's becoming a weapon for him.

[B]

Well, before you stalk, I just want to jump in. McDermott talked about his demeanor and how he doesn't seem like a rookie and all these things and the fact that he is so calm and both with that. It's not that he gets, you know, he's not just going through the drills of practice. He actually is just a more level headed type of Guy. And I think you're kind of seeing that on the field of him having that composure in some moments, because, yeah, he's a rookie, but he's played very well.

[A]

Dan, what have we always asked for out of option number 2?

[C]

5 catches, 70 yards.

[A]

Today was 5 catches for 68 yards. Something like that. Still good enough to hit my bet for the Uncle Dan bet. Khalil Shakir also unbelievable.

[B]

Tweet.

[A]

Also cashed it in the first drive. Unbelievable. No, he does. It looks like he's carving. Like they're figuring out how to use him.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Again. And that was McDermott a few weeks ago saying, hey, like, we're getting to week six and seven of the season. We got to know what these guys do. Something seemed to flip in New England. I was a little bit worried that it was going to be just a blip on the radar, and the fact that we saw more guys get involved was just a really positive sign. And it wasn't just one guy.

[C]

No. Like, very interesting how they got the ball to Gabe Davis quickly. That's not the normal with Gabe.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Normally it's downfield. They got the ball to Gabe Davis got him going. You know, I'll make that. It's a basketball analogy. I don't care what kind of scorer you have. If you're spreading the ball around and everybody's getting a piece of it, contagious, you are harder to guard. Everybody feels tied into the game in that case. So I thought that was good. But, Jenna, the other guy who got so involved is a guy who has not gotten those opportunities.

[B]

Khalil Shakir.

[C]

Yeah. And he was great.

[B]

It was nice to see that. So he led the league into. Or led Bill Swish.

[C]

Well, right now he does because it's the first game of the week.

[A]

That's right.

[C]

So there you go.

[B]

That's true.

[C]

You're ahead.

[B]

But he led the team in terms of receiving yards. He just looked smooth out there. And we were, oh, Khalil Shakir. It was the Khalil Shakir game. It's just nice to see another option. The Bills had other players that stepped up. Obviously, we know what Diggs is, but to see a guy like Khalil Shakir and even McDermott talked about it, he's not the fastest, he's not the biggest, he's not the strongest, but he was able to. To run his routes. He was open. Josh gave him the ball, and it just opened up so much.

[A]

It was just great because, like, you know that McDermott loves a guy like this.

[B]

Oh, I. What are you talking about?

[A]

The only thing he wishes Khalil wrestled. Like, that's the only thing that it was because he's like, he's not the biggest at the fastest, he's not the strongest. And you're like, so what is he? You're like, he's just a football player. Like that's what it was.

[B]

Not just a guy.

[A]

Not just a guy. And that's what. Again, we were driving up here to this game very concerned about what we would see and give Dorsey the credit.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

For going to.

[A]

No. Because I thought I was going to say the wrong. The previous OC friend of the program. But the fact of making the concerted effort. We asked Gabe Davis in the locker room whose decision was it to go up tempo and he said it was a collective agreement that they all talked about it and that's something they wanted to do. That's something that Dable used to do. It used to be pretty much an open door policy. They would come up with a play, they would install it, they'd try. Was fun today the offense was fun. I even loved the shuffle pass at Dalton Kincaid before the really bad shotgun draw play. Like there was. How about Gabe Davis on a crossing route? I didn't know they were allowed to do that.

[B]

We talked about that on the car.

[A]

The Bills are allowed with the league.

[B]

Yeah, they are allowed.

[A]

I'm sitting there. You just kind of, from being down on the field, you just saw Bucs players being like, what's going on? Like they were confused. The Bills were in the rhythm. They were the ones dictating it. And that was something that Josh said this week. We have to find out what our strengths are and let defenses handle us. Not going well. The defense does this well. So we're going to try and do this the opposite way. No. Be the damn Buffalo Bills and the offense that we have seen for the last three years and come out swinging. And they did. Danny, positive vibes, baby.

[B]

But you see how well it works too. And you're like, why don't you just stick with this? Why do you do that?

[C]

Jenna? I tweeted out 11 person or 12 personnel RIP.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Is it done?

[A]

It's done. It's done.

[C]

Well, first of all, Knox is going to be out at least a month and they're probably going to find a way to get another. I mean, you would want another tight end on the roster at some point. They're going to have to do that, at least for these few weeks. But can you run some 12 personnel yes, but that can't be their main offense. Not when you see that.

[A]

This goes back to when you. When it was let Josh Cook and let Josh be Josh and all of these things. And there were signs in the stands saying, let Josh be Josh. Like, this wasn't just.

[B]

That was my key to the game. Yeah, Josh Allen. Go be Josh Allen.

[C]

Way to go, Orlovsky.

[A]

But it wasn't even just the 11 personnel.

[B]

Should I get my sport coat note?

[A]

Because it was also. It was like ten and a half personnel.

[B]

I'm just putting on my shoes.

[A]

Sorry, I didn't know the shoes came off.

[B]

Yeah, sorry.

[A]

But it was like ten and a half personnel because even Gabe Davis is like, Kincaid's not really a tight end.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

He's like, he's. He's a wide receiver.

[B]

So, like, even McDermott was like, he's a receiver.

[C]

You called him, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

He wasn't even trying to make the joke.

[A]

Josh in four wide sets. Like, that's. That's Josh.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And again, you. You bring in Josh, you pay Josh, you draft Josh, you do all these things that make Josh special. Don't try and make him somebody that he's not. Don't try and make him. And even. Just the energy, even he runs for the second play of the game. It's a designed quarterback draw.

[C]

Right.

[B]

We love it.

[A]

Holy cow.

[C]

Jenna and I are up in the press box and the Bills drive down and they get a field goal. Oh, she was. She was all over the buffet. She was just killing it.

[B]

If you're not first, you're last.

[C]

And they kicked the field goal. And I'm like, oh, my God, we're so excited about a field goal on the drive.

[A]

17 points.

[C]

It was a nice drive. They went down the field, then it stalled on them. But. But then from that point on, I thought they were. Other than. Look, that throw for Josh when he's got Winfield in his face, that was just bad.

[B]

That was bad.

[C]

And that defender is right in your face.

[B]

That was bad.

[A]

Right out of the blue tag.

[B]

That was not complimentary.

[C]

And then that ends up happening. But beyond that, his decision making. You've talked about this before. Completion percentage. What do they say is a decision making stat? I mean, he just. I even love the play. The quick little swing pass to Murray.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Like, and he gets him going.

[A]

Also going. No huddle. Allows the defense to pretty much have to show their hand first. And that was reason why you told personnel so that we dictate. No. If you go up tempo, they pretty much have to Stay in base. And they talked about Mitch Moore, said they, they are.

[C]

They can't substitute because they can't substitute.

[A]

And they can't do exotic blitzes. And he's like, that's a really good defensive team. They have fast linebackers, all those things. They took away the strengths of that defense and it was just so great. And also let Josh have a little bit of that backyard football. You saw him check out the line. You saw him make calls because you could see what the defense was going to do. It makes so much sense. And then you do it and it's like, yeah, it does. It's not just saying it. It really does.

[C]

Yeah. One quick thing, Jenna, before you go to the next point. We asked Mitch Morris, I asked him, what's it like for you in the uptempo? I think, was he kidding when he said, we had a few extra IVs on the offensive line because we knew they were going to be moving?

[A]

It's like, just suck it up.

[C]

It is different for them. He's like, we used to do this.

[A]

We used to do it.

[B]

Protection was good, though.

[A]

We used to do it when we were like, all the time. You're like, that other guy used to do it all the time. It would be really good.

[C]

Yes. So he is somehow created after a Ken Dorsey. Excellent game.

[A]

Like I said about the last. Brian Dable crossed out. Ken Dorsey's calling a hell of a game.

[B]

I did see that. The let's talk about the J.R. smith, Taylor Swift controversy.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

You don't even probably know what this is.

[A]

I saw tweets.

[C]

He called an audible. When I read the tweets that said Taylor Swift, I'm listening to it and I think I'm hearing Taylor Swift. And then they said, no, it's J.R. smith. No one asked him about it, did they?

[A]

No, he confirmed that it was J.R. yeah.

[B]

When?

[A]

During his press conference. I thought I saw somebody say the tweet that was confirmed it's J.R. i.

[B]

Guess I did not.

[C]

So J.R. smith, who. The former NBA player, also high end golfer.

[B]

Golfer.

[C]

Played college golf. How they ended up with a J.R. smith?

[A]

They had a LeBron James call.

[C]

Yeah, well, yeah. LeBron J. R was the one who didn't know how much time was and that. So maybe that's what it was. But I thought it was Taylor Swift.

[B]

I. I prefer that it wasn't.

[C]

Yeah, that's the Chiefs.

[B]

Yeah, Let them do that.

[A]

Okay, I got two more points left. I don't know if they're on your paper.

[C]

Still going. Go ahead no, no, we still got some stuff.

[A]

Defense was outstanding.

[B]

Okay, wait, before we go to the defense, I want to talk about James Cook.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Did you see what they were talking about? Okay, explain.

[A]

No, he was just pissed that he had to come out twice.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And, and I, I don't think James Cook likes shotgun handoffs either because he's really, he's really pissed. Yeah, it just. Again, it's. Today was a prime example and I tweeted it out. The fact of the running game today was just a 22nd break for the wide receivers in Josh Allen.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But they ran it effectively. They ran it in for almost five yards of carry.

[A]

They ran it. Okay. They ran it. Okay.

[C]

When they ran the ball, it was good and they needed.

[A]

It was okay.

[B]

Yeah. I would say it wasn't a dominant.

[C]

Part of the game, but at least when they were handing the ball off, they were getting.

[A]

Except shotgun and from the one.

[C]

So stupid.

[A]

So stupid.

[B]

Yeah, that was bad. That was bad.

[A]

It was fine.

[B]

Yeah, it was fine. Okay, let's. We'll go to the defense then.

[A]

Should we do the bigger talking point that Kyrie probably played his last snap for the Buffalo Bills?

[C]

Look, I mean they don't even hide it anymore. Sean was like, we're gonna play the guys that help us win.

[A]

That was.

[C]

It's Josh Norman, dude.

[A]

That was. Sean has been asked a lot about Kyrie Elam this season. Why has he not been there? And he said he's learning and he's doing all the right things. And players have complimented him saying he's the first and last in. Apparently everybody is the first and last in.

[C]

There's a lot of last in this way. He was not the first today. He was in. He was in there.

[A]

And Sean pretty much said, we're going with the guys to give us the best chance to win. And that's a 35 year old that was on the street a month ago.

[B]

That hasn't been relative in five years.

[A]

Nope. That is relevant.

[B]

Rel. Yeah, it's. It's 1am hasn't been rel relative.

[A]

That to me is again. And for people saying, oh like you should trade him, you don't think that there's. You don't think they've tried?

[C]

I think, I think he, I think there's a chance he's part of a deal and they just move on.

[B]

I think he has to be a piece in a big deal.

[C]

It is, but I'm saying somebody's got to take that cuz he's going to get paid his salary and his salary as a first round pick is a little bit higher. So sometimes it's for another. Not a bad salary, but maybe at a different position, maybe a tight end, maybe somebody on the D line, something like that. Look good teams, you make a mistake, you can't sit there and live with it. Certainly you cannot play the guy. You can't play him. They tried playing him once, it was a disaster in the Jacksonville game. So whatever the reason is, doesn't mean this guy won't go to another team and be an effective player. It ain't happening here. They don't have any faith in him. He's not going to get on.

[B]

They got to move on. They got, they got to figure it out because it's. It does. It is an indictment though on that draft pick, especially considering the Bills moved up to go get him. Yeah, not good.

[A]

The defense in general. I was telling this to friends earlier this week. I don't. Let me preface this. I don't know what DVOA means. Okay. I don't understand really what it is. I know the Bills for the first five weeks defensively were very good. The last three weeks they've been very bad. Shocker. Losing all pro players on your defensive side, your defense gets worse. Yeah, I did have this. I don't know if it's a hot take but I said I still believe that this Bill's defense can be a top 10 defense statistically at the end of the season. Yeah, I still have enough faith that there still is Jordan Poyer. There still is Micah Hyde, there still is Ed Oliver, there still is. They're still dudes. And honestly Terrell Bernard is a dude like. And I believe in Sean McDermott scheme is good enough that you can put guys in and once they get into the system and the scheme, it'll be good enough. Okay.

[B]

And I thought which this was encouraging. Jordan Poyer also looks flying all over. He looks so much better.

[C]

He looked fired up coming off the field.

[A]

Benford looked good again and look until the end.

[C]

Mike Evans was a non factor in this game. And then the ball off of the helmet for the touchdown.

[B]

Weird.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So that's the thing. The first touchdown drive, it's a short field, change of possession Touchdown. It's 10:10 game. I don't put any of like how much are you going to blame that on the defense? The last One is a 97 play drive, not yard drive. It was 97 plays, four BS flags on the play.

[C]

Well, Jordan Phillips grabbed the face mask but I asked Taron Johnson about the offensive illegal contact. The wide receiver comes into him short of the five yards, and then they sort of ride together for like four yards. He's like, what am I supposed to do there? And he, you know, I'm not trying to get the guy fined. So he just went like, what did he say? Danny was like, I don't know. What.

[A]

He goes, I feel like I did that play a lot today and didn't get the flag.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And then on a fourth down, all of a sudden, the flag comes out.

[C]

That's huge. And then they get the deflected pass, the ball up in the air. So there were a lot of things, but can we be done with passes to the end zone to win or lose the game? Even though it was a Hail Mary.

[B]

We were coming down the stairs to go to the tunnel, and we're like, are you kidding me?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN's Next to Me as Vaughn jumps off sides trying to get a jump. It gives him five more yards. Baker's got a strong enough arm that you know he's going to probably get it to the end zone. That play happens. The ball leaves the hand. Your Jeremy Fowler over here going, oh, that's got a chance.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, it was like a tee shot in golf. Going like that could be like, pin hunting, like, on a par three. Like, this has got a chance. Apparently, nobody saw it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

In the end zone, the ground.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Taran said that they were pretty much just boxing guys out.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But it was a. A valid chance. My point is, is that I really think this defense stepped up. I know it's the Bucks. I know it's Baker Mayfield. I get all of that. But for how poorly they played against the Patriots. And I think there was like, holy cow, Mac Jones has that drive and all those bad things. This was a bounce back performance. I know it's the Bucs. I get it. But still, to have this performance, you have a weird drive that takes up what, 12 minutes of the fourth quarter and the short field goal. I just thought they looked like a Bills defense that had become accustomed. Accustomed to. And this Bill's defense over the last few years isn't strangers to playing without stars.

[C]

Yeah, but this is a lot at the same time.

[A]

I understand. But they still have dudes. I think that's what I'm trying to get at.

[B]

I think the best thing about today was, though, the fact that you saw the level of play that. Which they could play at with some of those guys in the lineup, and the fact that you saw Vaughn Miller kind of take a step forward today.

[C]

Yeah. I was watching him a lot and there was. It's definitely not Von Miller. Von Miller yet, but it was. He got a decent amount of snaps off to see the total number. And he was. He was semi impactful. He is still a step short and all those things, but much different than what we had seen him in the two games and six snaps that he had in the other game. That's encouraging. Well, you saw his presence in the locker room. He was encouraged by what he did. I think that will be.

[B]

Yeah, he's got the hat.

[A]

He was a full on cowboy.

[C]

Oh, yeah. Full on.

[B]

He says, howdy. He's from Texas. Wait, I love Ed Oliver. Today we weren't sure if he was going to play.

[C]

Oh, yeah, I thought he was good.

[B]

I thought he was good today. I thought his contractor, like the Bills bet on him.

[A]

He walks by V and he's like, howdy.

[C]

Howdy, partner.

[A]

He can get away with Texas guy. He then puts on these boot straps that. To prevent, like snake bites.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because of all the stakes in Orchard Bug. It was awesome.

[C]

He tell you something? That outfit costs more than your car.

[A]

Oh, my house.

[C]

Yeah, my house.

[A]

He's like a cowboy. He's got his shirt tucked into his jeans and then he puts on two massive diamond necklaces.

[C]

And you're like, well, yeah, when you add in the diamond necklace, I was.

[A]

Like, I don't think a whole lot of ranchers have that. But Vaughn's one of a kind, as always.

[C]

He's not gonna get bitten by a snake tonight. Nope.

[B]

If he's wearing those boots, that's encouraging.

[A]

Howdy, partner.

[C]

Dennis, you want to talk about your favorite thing? It was one of my favorite things from the game, too. Halftime.

[B]

What about halftime?

[C]

That's what I'm saying. Oh.

[B]

We wrote down Frisbee dogs.

[A]

Not high.

[C]

Not high. Love Frisbee dogs.

[B]

I love it. The whole crowd was going crazy. People were standing up, cheering for dogs.

[C]

When I was a kid going to games in Philly. Philly, they would. That was like the cheap. Because they were a cheap organization. It was the cheap halftime show. Guy would throw Frisbees and the dog would go get it and people would cheer. It's awesome. You were in there probably cutting video at halftime. It's fantastic.

[A]

Better than Red Panda.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Different. Different. I like the dog. Yeah.

[C]

Oh, you're talking about the ones that do the.

[A]

No, the unicycle. And she enjoys the buckles at her head.

[C]

Yeah, better than that. That the dog was awesome. That dog could track it all the way down the field. It's fantastic. People are cheering. It was awesome.

[B]

It was cool.

[C]

They should bring that back.

[B]

They should. I think they will.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I feel like they've seen that before.

[C]

And the last thing's a trade deadline.

[B]

Well, no, we have two more.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

Hardy, by the way, in case.

[C]

Anybody wants to know, these are my notes.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Trying to read them.

[B]

Hardy.

[C]

Hardy had good returns and they got a couple of penalties.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then Sam.

[C]

Oh, Sam Martin was awesome.

[B]

Yeah, he was.

[A]

Punters are football players, too.

[C]

He's a weapon in the game.

[B]

And then trade deadline, what would they be doing?

[C]

I mean, I think they'll look for.

[A]

Help on defense, defensive line.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, you know, we. Everybody thinks about an offensive guy. I don't think they're going to do that. They may even make a small deal for a tight end. I don't know. Maybe not. Since Knox is out for the four weeks, you can find somebody maybe off.

[A]

A practice squad, but hopefully Quinn Morris is coming back.

[C]

Yeah, but I think they do need. They need probably some defensive tackle help and. And always looking for a corner, if that's possible, especially with, you know.

[B]

Do they think. Do you think they go big at all?

[C]

No. No, I don't think so now. I don't think so now. I think they found that what they think they found in the offense. I think they're going to pivot on what they do. And since Dorsey's now gone for coordinator.

[A]

Of the year, I honestly, like, I guess I just wanted to make this full circle. It was like, when it was, like, for how bad it was in, like, Happy Gilmore, when they're like, find your happy place. And they just went. And they go up tempo and they go, Josh running and doing all these things. It was chef's kiss.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It was fun. It was fun.

[A]

It was fun.

[C]

We.

[A]

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, because now it's one in the morning. The fact that this was fun and Mitch Morris talked about whether it's the chicken or the egg, and he said that, you know, they talked about execution being breeding, energy. And he goes, so do you got to execute first or can you bring the energy first? Gabe said you have to execute first. We asked Gabe about it. He's like, if you can execute, like, why would you be excited on the sidelines? Sometimes you got to fake it.

[C]

Well, that part I do think that. I think that part is you have to come with the energy to start the game. It's the beginning of the game, but it can quickly turn if things go bad. And then you need those guys to pick you up. You've seen it be Diggs on the sideline. You guys have seen that. Trying to pump or Josh.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Diggs given a pregame speech.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We probably should have talked about that earlier, but, yeah, it was. Sean said they played with an attitude today because a lot of people were wondering, like, what was so different about this week. It just seemed like a different team. And Sean said Stefan Diggs had some words for the team. He wanted to step up, say some words to the team today. We asked Sean to repeat those words.

[C]

Didn't repeat them.

[A]

Didn't repeat.

[B]

He would not go into it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Psych.

[B]

I'm so shocked.

[A]

Sean's never heard those words.

[B]

Josh Allen did talk about the team now five and three where they're at right now. They have a mini buy before facing off against the Bengal. Can rest the shoulder. But he did say everything they want is still in front of them.

[A]

For how. Again, I like that Josh has explained it as pain management because he threw a ball in the fourth quarter that, like, sizzled to Gabe Davis. Like, it was like one of those throws where I was like, shoulder doesn't hurt that bad because he just let one go. Now what he got shot up with at halftime or in the blue medical tents and other things. But he looked again. I didn't notice anything arm wise, maybe, besides not wanting to run a couple times towards the end where I thought there was an opportunity. But for the most part, I thought Josh again, threw the ball really well over 300 yards.

[C]

But Jenna, when he says he was worried. Yeah.

[B]

Makes you feel a little like, okay, that is concerning.

[C]

But he's. He'll be all right. And Dan, once again, happy birthday.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Happy birthday.

[C]

Man, you guys are getting old.

[B]

On that note, okay, please be sure to, like, comment Positive vibes. Subscribe to the podcast subscribe for Mike.

[A]

Dable was in, like, Dorsey's ear.

[B]

Can you imagine?

[C]

Like, I love day ball, but he better worry about that Giants offense than worry about this offense.

[B]

That's a difference.

[C]

They stink.

[B]

They do.

[A]

What about the 49ers? I'll just lob one up to you. Also, good energy. Spencer Brown was crowning everybody.

[C]

Really?

[A]

After good plays, he was crowning people.

[C]

I think that's what it was. They had energy.

[B]

Well, that's all about it.

[C]

Just about Everybody's gone.

[B]

Shocking.

[C]

Buffalo plus owns this joint. How about that? Yeah, they're all gone.

[B]

For Mike, like comment?

[A]

Subscribe.

[B]

Check out the Buffalo plus store.

[C]

You keep talking, she's just gonna.

[B]

I'm not done yet.

[C]

It's all the genish.

[B]

Don't. Stop it. If you order more than 25, you have free ship shipping. So check it out. Yeah, Mike pays for.

[C]

That's it.