Buffalo Plus Podcast

Episode: Buffalo Bills MNF Opener & 2023 Preview: Pressure, Surprises & Making Statement

Release Date: September 7, 2023

Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Main Theme:

A high-stakes season opener:
The Buffalo Plus team unpacks the anticipation and pressure surrounding the Buffalo Bills' Monday Night Football opener against the New York Jets. They analyze the Bills’ offseason narratives, key position battles, and offer a comprehensive preview for the 2023 season—highlighting the weight of expectations, unpredictability of Week 1, and what “making a statement” really means for Buffalo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hype and Reality of Bills-Jets MNF Opener

• Emotional Stage-Setting:

  • Opening on the road at the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers’ debut, on 9/11, and in primetime—all factors creating an “off the charts” atmosphere.
  • Quote (Mike, 01:23): “The only thing I’m gonna say is … do not overreact one way or the other on what happens in week one.”

• Media Narratives:

  • National attention shifted to the Jets and Dolphins, with the Bills flying under the radar.
  • Players act unfazed, but “inside their answers” you hear they know it’s a big deal (Jenna).

• The Statement Game Motif:

  • If past “statement games” were about arrival, this one is “we’re still here.”
  • Quote (Dan, 07:37): “A statement here on Monday night would say we’re still here because so many people have checked them off...”

2. Pressure Points within the Organization

• Head Coach Sean McDermott:

  • Taking over defensive play-calling, following Leslie Frazier’s departure; more on his plate and under the spotlight.
  • Quote (Dan, 22:21): “To me, I’ve said it before, I think it’s Sean McDermott ... he’s putting his neck out there again.”
  • Jenna and Mike stress that both defensive and leadership pressure falls on McDermott, especially in high-leverage moments.

• Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey:

  • Year two as OC, now with healthier and improved offensive weapons.
  • Quote (Mike, 25:44): “The pressure, I mean, yeah, there’s pressure on Josh, there’s always pressure on the quarterback. But the pressure is on Dorsey this year. It’s really on the coach.”

• Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs:

  • Allen as a national face (Madden cover, commercials), scrutiny if performance dips.
  • Dan posits Diggs put himself under a microscope after off-season drama: “Every move that Stefon Diggs makes this season will be scrutinized” (32:09).

3. Roster Surprises & Battles

• Terrel Bernard Named Starting MLB:

  • Surprised most due to his preseason absence. Dan claims “vindication” for an earlier hot take calling Bernard the starter (13:07).
  • The hosts discuss the trend toward speed and instincts over size at linebacker, possibly shaping a “positionless” defense.
  • Quote (Dan, 16:04): “If the speed is getting faster on offense … maybe you’re adjusting to more speed at middle linebacker now.”

• Christian Benford at Corner:

  • Dan expects Benford to surprise and hold the CB2 job, praising his “Taron Johnson–like effect” and mental toughness.
  • Quote (Dan, 35:18): “I think Christian Benford surprises people by how well he plays... I think he plays physical.”

• James Cook as Breakout Player:

  • Mike singles out Cook as the likely offensive surprise, citing his versatile, under-the-radar potential in this offense.
  • Quote (Mike, 34:28): “I think it’s James Cook ... you’re going to finally see, I think that they got it right for this offense.”

• Dalton Kincaid’s X-Factor Potential:

  • Jenna chooses Kincaid as her surprise: his smooth, professional demeanor makes her excited to see his national breakout (42:08).

4. Reflecting on Last Season’s Finish and Fan Sentiment

• Lingering Disappointment:
  • Fans feel uneasy after an emotionally drained, underwhelming playoff exit, and fear the “spark” is gone (Jenna, 09:22).
  • Mike points to the “grit” shown last year, but admits it often masked narrow escapes: “They barely beat the Patriots, they barely beat the Dolphins. Like, you could see it coming” (09:27).

5. National Perspective and Shifting Expectations

• Bills as Underdogs:

  • Bills relish “being doubted” and “staying under the radar” (Jenna).
  • Comparison to last year’s preseason darlings—this year, that’s the Jets with “Hard Knocks” hype, while the Bills prefer the quieter narrative.
  • Vegas still has the Bills as favorites in the opener, showing broader respect (Dan, 12:11).

• Don’t Overreact to Week 1:

  • All hosts caution against making sweeping judgments from the result, citing the unreliability of early season form and overreactions (Mike, 01:23; Dan, 02:33).

6. On Team Culture & Leadership

• Veteran Core Returns:

  • Emphasis on Poyer and Hyde as a “safety tandem” (together 7 years), and Tre White back healthy (Mike, 39:47).
  • Leadership and continuity are pillars, even as new starters emerge.

• Team Mindset:

  • Bills value humility (the “humble or about to be humbled” NFL adage); determined to “release pent up energy” and prove detractors wrong.

7. Lighter Moments & Notable Quotes

• Dan’s “Victory Lap”:

  • Fun banter about Dan’s correct Bernard prediction, leading to playful ribbing and inside jokes about “brand wins” and hot takes (14:19, 14:38, 15:03).

• Team Chemistry:

  • The hosts’ playful arguing over predictions, including a back-and-forth on Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir’s prospects.

• Quote (Mike, 27:02):

  • "[The Bills'] O-line is the tires on the Ferrari. … You need to be able to run the ball. What you don’t need is a running back…”—emphasizing team-building philosophy.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Catalana on Week 1 Overreactions:
  “Do not overreact one way or the other on what happens in week one. ... No one pays attention to it.”
  (01:23)

• Dan Fates on Media Overstatement:
  “There’s no greater overreaction in the entire season than week one. ... Next stop is Vegas or the Super Bowl.”
  (02:33)

• Jenna Cottrell on Statement Games:
  “This is an opportunity to make a statement ... excitement, it’s the NFL. We are reactionary every week. ... That’s how it works.”
  (04:13)

• Mike Catalana on Josh Allen:
  “Josh set this bar so high now, and we keep moving it. ... All of a sudden it’s like, yeah. Maybe I’d rather have Herbert ... or how Trevor Lawrence is going to be.”
  (31:30)

• Dan Fates on Sean McDermott:
  “Sean wanted to take over the defense one way or another. ... He’s putting his neck out there again.”
  (22:21)

• Jenna Cottrell on Stefon Diggs’ Scrutiny:
  “Regionally, there’s a lot of pressure on Stefon Diggs, but it’s always going to fall on the quarterback’s shoulders.”
  (30:21)

• Mike Catalana on Bills Defense:
  “Poyer and Hyde back together again ... 7 years. This may be the last year. Like, we don’t know what these guys are going to do, but I think it’s awesome.”
  (40:07)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Week 1 Hype & “Don’t Overreact”:
  01:01 – 04:30

• Jets Hype & Bills’ Underdog Mentality:
  06:16 – 08:39

• Last Season’s Concerns & Mental State:
  09:21 – 11:24

• Terrel Bernard’s Ascension:
  13:07 – 19:10

• Who’s Under Most Pressure (McDermott, Dorsey, Allen, Diggs):
  22:10 – 33:44

• Surprise Players & Bold Predictions:
  34:19 – 49:31

• Veteran Core & Defense Continuity:
  39:47 – 41:00

• Team Chemistry, Lighter Moments:
  Scattered; ex. Dan’s Bernard predictions (14:19–15:51), Gabe Davis debate (43:22–48:35)

Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

• The Bills enter 2023 with less national attention but ample internal and fanbase pressure.
• Sean McDermott and Ken Dorsey face the most scrutiny, given their expanded roles and the loaded roster.
• Week 1, despite the high emotion and storyline volume, will not define the Bills’ season—overreaction is futile.
• Youth movement: Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford are two poised young starters expected to surprise.
• Offensive improvement is expected, namely from James Cook and rookie Dalton Kincaid, with Gabe Davis as a swing player.
• Team culture, humility, and the motivation to prove doubters wrong are driving forces.
• Fans’ anxieties mostly reside in traumatic memories of last year’s playoff flameout.

Top Memorable Moments

• “Don’t overreact to what happens in Week 1.” (01:23, Mike)
• “A statement here on Monday night would say we’re still here.” (07:37, Dan)
• “If you don’t continue to ascend… you know what gets old? If you’re not [good].” (29:02, Jenna on Josh Allen)
• “I just think it’s a perfect storm for the Bills to kind of release all of that pent up energy… get back to that ‘you don’t believe in us’.” (11:24, Dan)
• “It just feels good to win one … that was an August 11th, fire from the hip, man.” (13:31, Dan, on Bernard prediction)

For Further Engagement

• Buffalo Plus Road Trip: All three hosts will be onsite for MNF at MetLife.
• Call to Fans: Share your Week 1 expectations, surprise players, and concerns in the comments.

Buffalo Plus: Trusted, energetic, and deep Bills coverage—with just the right dose of banter and bold takes.