← Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
Buffalo BILLS 'Super Wildcard Weekend' PREVIEW against GRITTY Pittsburgh STEELERS
00:34:57
Buffalo Bills playoff preview with Pittsburgh Steelers
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- [00:00]
A
In the time it takes you to actually board a flight from Group 8.
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Now boarding Premier Altitude Elite Club members.
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You could have bought a Hyundai on Amazon. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Limited availability pickup through participating Hyundai dealer and select markets. I know we say this every week, but they have to play smart. They are the better team. They're the more talented team. They have options on offense. They have Josh Allen. Ok.
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B
Buffalo plus your interactive look at the week in football brought to you by Connors and Ferris. All right, welcome Back to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel. Presented by Connors and Ferris. Mike Catalana. I am Jenna Cottrell. Dan Fates. With a Veterans Day off, we are talking this Bills Steelers playoff game, Wild Car weekend coming up. Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe to the channel. We always appreciate it. All right, Michael, we're in the podcast studio. We are talking Bills Steelers for this game on Sunday at 1 o'. Clock. What do the Bills need to do to put away this Pittsburgh team? Let's start.
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A
I think. Yeah, go ahead.
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B
Let's start with the offense.
- [01:12]
A
I think they have to play smart and I know we say this every week, but they have to play smart. They are the better team. They're the more talented team. They have options on offense. They have Josh Allen. Okay, we've seen them against teams that are lesser than them. What have they done? They've made mistakes early. They did it in the Chargers game, they're down 10 to nothing. Did it in the Patriots game with special teams. They were down 7 to nothing. The Miami game, after they had made multiple mistakes, they were down 7 to nothing. They give these other teams hope.
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B
Yeah.
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A
And then it is on the offense to then eventually get their act together. I think you need to play a smart, efficient game. Use Josh Allen the way you can use Josh Allen, get the lead, tell the Steelers right away it's not going to be their day. And I know that sounds easier than it really is because Pittsburgh comes into this game thinking why not us? Why can't we come into Buffalo and they can. But I think the Bills need to establish right away and I think think the defense will play well. This defense has played well just about every game. I think the offense again, I don't mean conservative, but I mean smart. Get points, don't turn it over, get that lead, make them one dimensional and then I think Pittsburgh will realize where they are in this matchup.
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B
The worst thing is to have a Steelers team that has hope continued Hope because we've seen the Steelers team throughout the season be able to just hang with other teams and then at the end take advantage of a mistake made and win out games. And that is what scares me about the Steelers team is that they, like the Bills, have been had a very gritty season where they've been able to kind of grind things out. But for the Bill, you said it. And it's Josh Allen also being smart with the football. We've saw those interceptions against the Dolphins last week. Thankfully, the Bills defense kept the, the team in the game. But it's some of those silly mistakes that, that concern me. I think Josh, he said it this week at even after the Dolphins game, he feels like the ball is coming out of his arm the best it has all season. I am, though, concerned about the weather. We were talking off camera because it's supposed to be windy, it's expected to be snowy, it's could it be a whiteout? All of these things. And it really does feel like that would play way more into the hands of the Steelers team than it would the Bills.
- [03:36]
A
I don't think there's any question because they're very comfortable if they have to run it 35 and 40 times. Now, here's the difference. They're not running it with their quarterback. So if it's really, really bad, I mean, where it's, you know, almost that unplayable weather like we have seen in that New England game, and you can just snap the ball to Josh and let him go, I don't think it'll get that bad. But there, there's an advantage. But Pittsburgh is like, hey, we'll run it 35 times, we'll run it 40 times, we'll give it to Harris, will just say, go ahead, see if you can stop it. And when I say they're comfortable because you hold on to the football, it's just, it just, you know, sounds simple, but it keeps Josh Allen off the field, all those things. I think they're going to be very comfortable playing that way unless they're down 10 to nothing or 13 to nothing. And that doesn't mean they open it up with Mason Rudolph. We also can keep in mind they can hit some big plays with this offense. Yeah, George Pickens can get the ball and go down the field. We saw Deontay Johnson do that. So you mentioned the weather. If I would say this, look, if this game ends up being where the weather is not a huge factor, big advantage. Bills, I would say big advantage. They have the talent. Advantage, they have the quarterback, they have all those things. But if it is, then it gets ugly.
- [04:56]
B
Well, and the advantage to TJ Watt not playing, and that is such a killer for the Steelers team, they're what, 1 in 10 when Watt isn't out there, I think JJ Watt talked about trying to dress up. Was he making about himself? That's so crazy.
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A
That's crazy. He doesn't like to talk.
- [05:12]
B
I can't believe that. But I think that is obviously a big advantage for Buffalo. Now look, they still have. What is it? They still have Cam Hayward, Alex Highsmith, other guys that can get after the quarterback. But I think that does alleviate some of the pressure on the O line, on Josh Allen as well. But, but I think we've seen this Bills team play football where they are able to take advantage of the opportunities. I just want to see them do that on a more consistent basis to start that way they're not backed up against the wall. Because you bring up the fact that there's, there's hope for this Steelers team. Confidence is a hell of a drug. And if you're on the Steelers right now, you are confident because you're like, hey, the weather forecast is in our favor. It's almost like a bit of house money. Because Mason Rudolph, you're three and zero under him. He's given you guys a spark. All of these things where you're like, hey, nobody really thought we would be here. Let's not show out and, and win a game and move on.
- [06:03]
A
Yeah. You know, Tomlin is going to play up the whole underdog thing. He loves it. He's going to say every coach loves that though. He really loves it. He really loves it. And he's going to tell his team. Now you mentioned that about TJ Watt. Like, we can't overstate that. That guy at any moment not only gets to your quarterback, gets the ball out. I mean, he did that against the Bills in the past. He's forced turnovers. Like that is the guy. It doesn't mean they don't have good players. You're talking about the best of, probably the best defensive player in the league. If he's not, he's one of the top three. So he's a, he can be a game wrecker. So that is a big, that's a big advantage for the Bills. And listen, I know sometimes, I'll read the comments. Why do you guys focus on the mistakes? I'm telling you and you know it. The mistakes are the only thing that are going to keep the Steelers in this Game.
- [06:53]
B
Thousand percent.
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A
That is what it is. I know Josh will make plays. I know he'll eventually make a lot of plays, especially if the weather's not a factor. It's just you don't want us, like we say, keep both teams in the game at the same time early. You make these mistakes and you're sitting there going, it should be 14, nothing. They get to the red zone, they come away with no points. All those things that will keep a lesser team in the game, which is what the Steelers are on Sunday.
- [07:18]
B
Yeah, Those mistakes can be so costly, especially in the playoffs when everything is ratcheted up that much more. The stakes, the pressure, all of these things. It's like we've seen it. We've seen teams go on the road and upset teams that we're expecting all these great things from. So for the Bills offense, it's just about playing that mistake free or as close to mistake free as possible. Josh Allen and company. Keeping. Keeping care of the football. Let's talk about the defense, though. For this Bills team. They're playing very well. They have been. Sean McDermott, I saw someone comment and I love this. It's now called the McDefense. I laughed out loud at that. I was like, that's pretty good. But this defense under Sean McDermott has really done such a number. We talked about it heading into this season, about, like, look, McDermott put a lot of pressure on himself. Like, he gives himself no outs if this defense fails because he put it all on him. But what we've seen this season is in those close, tight moments, his defense, especially down the stretch, pulling it off. Taylor Rapp, obviously, with the interception to end the game against the Dolphins. But what do you think for the Bills defense, they need to do?
- [08:27]
A
Look, it's going to be a physical game and they're going to, you know, this sounds old school, but stop the run. Because that's what Pittsburgh's going to do and they will just continue to do it and then pick their spots with Mason Rudolph. Mason Rudolph against Josh Allen.
- [08:40]
B
Yeah. I'm hoping the Bills can bring him back down earth. I kind of expect that to be the case. But I did love what Daquan Jones said yesterday at the Bills facility. It's about whooping another man. A man whooping another man in terms of the defense. And I think you do have to have that mentality. It's funny out physical. The other.
- [08:59]
A
We all kind of were like, oh.
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B
Yeah, that was very, very simple way of putting it.
- [09:03]
A
But it's funny. You as they say, that is. That's really what the game comes down to. It. This is a physical, brutal, violent game that they play. And it's. If you're beating the man in front of you and so is your teammate and so is everybody else, I mean, that's what it takes. Sometimes we focus and, you know, and fans do too, on the. The outdoor stuff, the outside stuff, the quarterback, the wide, all that stuff is important, but it's up front and it's battle after battle after battle. And Daquan Jones is saying that if I'm beating my man up front, I'm the making plays, Ed's making plays. The linebackers can make plays. You shut down that run game. I'll say this. Let's put the ball in Mason Rudolph's hands to beat the Bills. I'll feel very comfortable with the Bills in that setting. In that setting.
- [09:48]
B
Yeah. My fear is that you can run on the Bills in terms of. With the weather and all those things. I think having Daquan Jones back is obviously though, a huge advantage. Him and Ed Oliver just getting that, especially now that it's not his first game back, like him and Ed have been able to kind of figure things out. You know, you also have Leonard Floyd, who's been really good off the edge, like, things like that. But that would be like. If the Steelers were to win this game, I would expect it to be off of Naji Harris having a great game and then being able to move the ball, run the ball. But if you make them one dimensional and make it be Mason Rudolph, I think great things can happen for this Bills team. Right?
- [10:24]
A
Yeah. I mean, this Bill's pass defense is outstanding.
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B
Yeah.
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A
I mean, look at the passing offenses that they have shut down. The Cowboys, the Dolphins, twice. In that case, you know, they, they just. They don't give up a ton to number one receivers. Really. They don't. They. They have really. They give up some big plays earlier in this year, but now they really don't. In the passing game. They just don't. Kansas City, they shut down the passing game. It really did. So I have a lot of faith in that past defense. I really do. I. McDermott has called. You know, it's funny because they gave up a couple of those late scores. Should have to The Giants almost did. Did to the Broncos. Given up points at the end and got fortunate against the Chiefs when that play came back lucky. But since then, I mean, they have just. They have. They've been dominant. I think the defense has been dominant. So put them in that spot against this offense. And I think they can do it again.
- [11:29]
B
Yeah, I do, too. All right, who has more pressure on this? Is it Josh Allen or is it Sean McDermott?
- [11:37]
A
It's Sean McDermott still. It's Sean McDermott still. Josh is Josh. He's a great player. I mean, unless he goes out and is horrendous in a playoff loss, which I don't expect, you know, I mean, like a very, very bad game. I mean, even think back to the Cincinnati game last year, which was bad all around. Yes, they got pushed around, the defense wasn't good. Josh wasn't great. But I didn't really believe they lost that game because of Josh Allen. I mean, he willed him down the field to get that score. When they were down 14 nothing, that team just had no juice at the end of the game.
- [12:08]
B
They were exhausted.
- [12:08]
A
They were done. But it goes on McDermott, and I think it still is on McDermott. Josh Allen's. Josh Allen, he's a great player. 40 plus touchdowns, all those things. Sean has done everything he's needed to do since the now infamous article about him. They've won. He's had great moments. I thought he had a phenomenal game in Miami. He totally out coached McDaniel, totally out coached that offense and did. Did everything right. But he's got to win in the playoffs. Got to win.
- [12:42]
B
Seeing him walk off the field in Miami and seeing the emotion that we don't normally see out of him. You. There was the interview with Sal Capaccio right after the game. But even McDermott walking off the field, like, you know, waving at fans, clapping, like, all the things that we don't usually see a. I think you saw relief of, like, okay, but the. The thing about Sean McDermott and what he's been able to do is once again, like, the Bills are in the same. All right, they've made the playoffs. They won the division for the fourth straight time. But. But can they get over that hump of that playoff hump that we've talked about for years? Even after last season, it was like, all right, when will the Bills be able to win the big game? In the biggest moments? And it starts, obviously a Sunday against the Steelers. But it's like that. I could not agree more. The pressure is on McDermott because of the expectations that he has set for this team, because of who his quarterback is, and because they have not gotten there. He needs to continue. Like, that will always be the criticism if he's not able to pass that. So this season, two, there Is something about this Bills team that, you know, last year, down the stretch, they were winning games. Ugly. But it felt like. I don't even. It felt so different than where we've been at in this last. The last month and a half for this Bills team. Because I remember when we would talk about it, be like, you know, after they lost to the. The Bengals, it was like this team, we talked about it. Exhausted. Yeah, they were. Emotionally. Had gone through so much with the demar Ham Hamlin situation. They looked to flip that switch and they didn't have that gear available. Whereas this team. I just feel like there's so much that Sean McDermott article galvanized the team so much backs against the wall. They've been able to find ways to win. And it's like, I just think there's something different about this team. And while. And here's a good thing, too, I feel like you're still waiting for everything to kind of all click together.
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A
They can win multiple ways, which is huge.
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B
And you even had special, like, special teams being the spark last week, the Deontay Hardy touchdown when the week before they had given up the. The return.
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A
And the week before that, Deontay Hardy fumbled a punt.
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B
Yeah.
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A
So they have had issues. By the way, Sam Martin, player, special teams player of the month.
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B
Yeah.
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A
For a punter. It's hard to win that as a punter, but he's been really good. Yeah.
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B
Yeah.
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A
And we talked. We sat right here a little more. We said, did, you know, do they have a kicking problem? Tyler Bass, knock on Formica, whatever this is, has been good, made all his kicks and Sam Martin's been outstanding. So it looked like there was some issues and now like, he's been great. But special teams did that. Look, even last year they got that help. You know, the Nahim Hines, the two returns against the Patriots.
- [15:26]
B
But surreal.
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A
It was. But they, like even those two Miami games that they won were slogs. Were struggles in those games and they got by. I think this team is different. I think it feels different. I. But I just say, I. Look, I was looking back at all the teams that have made it to the super bowl or won the Super Bowl. It's rare when there's just like blowing people out in the playoffs. It just. It's close games. You know, Tampa did that last year. Kansas City. Kansas City. A couple of times they've made the super bowl where they've been down in games and had to fight back. The year the Eagles won the super bowl, they. They had Atlanta Final Seconds driving to win the game. And they survive in advance. Dan always uses it. Survive in advance.
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B
Like just feel it is.
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A
And I feel like this is a game, no style points, nobody cares. Go out, play smart, play with that energy. I do think they have that energy.
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B
I agree.
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A
Some reason, it's. It's a long season. It's come at the right time. I think they have it.
- [16:28]
B
I think the buy too, also helped. Having it be later after the London game, I was like, maybe they should have taken their buy then because they were gassed. They were. I was tired. I can't even imagine what it would be like playing a football game and then having the later buy. Obviously it was right before that that, that Eagles overtime loss that almost propelled the team. Like the loss, overtime loss in Tampa Bay a couple years ago. But I agree.
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A
I think they just took, like somehow they just reached in and took whatever energy that Eagles team had and just removed it.
- [16:59]
B
No, the Bills broke the Eagles.
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A
They did because they broke them. They won that game and have been a shell of themselves from that moment on.
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B
Yeah.
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A
And the Bills have gone the opposite way. They've had the energy. So when you look back at those, Those moments seem where you're so down. I. Again, I think this is why when you guys ask if we're fans, we. We like seeing the team win. But I think I can have objective eyes about this team. And I got done that Kansas City game and we talked about it and I said, or the Philly game. And I said, josh Allen's back. That gives them hope in every game. And the funny thing about that is he hasn't had to be good or hasn't been great in every game. They didn't need him in Dallas. He was okay. He wasn't great in New England. And they're still winning the games because they have different ways to win games. I'm confident in them winning with defense, even to run the ball, which includes Josh. And certainly if he gets the passing game going, man, that fourth quarter was just awesome.
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B
That was awesome. Up in the press box. Just seeing the way Alan was able to thread some of those throws.
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A
You like that press box, don't you?
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B
I love the press box.
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A
Press box is good.
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B
It's warm. Well, in Miami.
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A
Yeah, Miami would have been.
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B
But it's definitely, definitely going to be warmer in the press box Sunday than on the field.
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A
It is. It is.
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B
That is true.
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A
Yeah.
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B
I do think there is pressure on Allen, though.
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A
There is in the big picture. There always is on a quarterback like this is A long season puts up the numbers. That's the thing about Josh, always the numbers, numbers. He has great numbers. Turnovers, yes. But the touchdown to turnover ratio is.
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B
Because he's, he's red zone. He's the most incredible.
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A
I mean he is the third down run. I mean the things.
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B
He came third and 13.
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A
Right. And so he's a unicorn. He is. And so you, when you put up the bigger the numbers, the higher the expectations. And he's had all the numbers. Gotta win. But 13 seconds. This franchise, it always goes back to you said about Sean, that's on Sean McDermott. Everybody else is gone. Coaching wise. When I say that, you know, Leslie's gone, D's gone. They're all gone. Josh was unbelievable in that game. I, I will stick by this. The best game a quarterback to me has ever played in the playoffs and lost based on the circumstances, the plays, everything. Sean McDermott eats that loss. That's on him. It just as it should be, cannot be erased ever. But it can be put in the background. If you keep winning.
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B
Thousand percent. That's how this works. If you lose, it gets brought up. If you win, you can. The narrative continues that this team is fighting the winners.
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A
Write the history. And I'll say this now, I, I'm worried about this game just because of all those circumstances. They win this game, they're going to the Super Bowl.
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B
Jonah, I feel that way too. I do. Which is insane to say it. I'm scared to say it. I'm honestly scared.
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A
I'm just saying it. I always told, I told these guys the story. I don't think we said it on the air. I told these guys the story that Marv would never touch the trophy at the afc. You know, after the AFC Championship game and then you're. They do the press conference three years in a row, not touching the trophy, they lose. So he's like, this year I'm going to pick up the trophy. Picks up the trophy. They still lose. I don't believe in those kind of chances. Just pick up the trophy. Like whatever. I can say it, I can say it. I'm not playing in the game. I can say I said we did. They won that Kansas City game. I thought they were going to win out with a little hope they were going to win the division. They did. I just feel like this team is different. I like the two seed and whether they go to Baltimore or that game becomes a home game, I just, I like them in these games. I just do. So survive the Steelers game a thousand I Agree.
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B
We talked about it earlier on the podcast of, like, wouldn't this be so fitting? This was like a month and a half ago.
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A
I said it the most. I think you said the most Billsyn.
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B
Way, the most billion way for Buffalo to win a Super Bowl. But I think this team has been battle tested. They have, like you said, multiple ways to win games. It could be the defense, it could be the offense. It could be in special moments, special teams. I think they've also seen themselves beyond the ropes and be able to come back and win on the ropes.
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A
And then their star defensive player gets arrested. And there's an article about a coach, their coach, talking about the terrorists in 9 11. This is before they had to go to Kansas City. Like, when you're doing the 30 for 30 on this team, that's like a starting point on this. It's like, oh, yeah, by the way, they just lost a terrible game in Philly. And then this happened. Oh, and then this happened.
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B
Yeah. That was a crazy week. Yeah, that was. Yeah.
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A
Billsian.
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B
Billsy.
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A
And we might have a T shirt very. We can get by with Billsian, right?
- [21:56]
B
Yeah, I think so.
- [21:56]
A
Okay. Mark that one down. Jenna's gonna create.
- [21:59]
B
Also, be sure to check out the Buffalo plus store, BuffaloPlusStore.com for all your Buffalo plus.
- [22:05]
A
Yeah.
- [22:06]
B
Cool. Merch magnets as well. Yeah.
- [22:08]
A
By the way, I just want to say I'm sitting in Dan's chair, so I won. Wear the hoodie.
- [22:13]
B
Oh, no, no. Blazer on top.
- [22:16]
A
Not doing that.
- [22:19]
B
All right, let's talk about what we expect from the remainder of the playoff schedule. Any games here. Okay, so go ahead. When I look at the. I think it's a really fun weekend.
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A
Yeah.
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B
I am terrified of the Browns. I just think that they.
- [22:35]
A
Okay, well, no, I would tell you this. The Miami, Kansas City game. We'll talk about that one in a second. I think the Browns. I think the Ravens do not want to see the Browns. That's the team.
- [22:49]
B
A divisional rival. Absolutely.
- [22:51]
A
Yeah. It's the Browns. It's Joe Flacco.
- [22:54]
B
Joe Flacco.
- [22:56]
A
He's. He would be elite if he takes this team. We do need a Browns Bills AFC championship game.
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B
That would be wild.
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A
But I'm with you on battle for Lake Erie. This. That is a more talented team with the same kind of vibe the Steelers have.
- [23:12]
B
Yes.
- [23:13]
A
Which is house money. But they have a better quarterback, better defense.
- [23:18]
B
Yes.
- [23:18]
A
More options to win, I think, than Pittsburgh does. Gives Watt back to Pittsburgh. That helps a lot. Minka. Fitzpatrick's going to play this week.
- [23:27]
B
That's something to know.
- [23:29]
A
Yeah, but so go ahead. So let's say. So you've got that game. That game. Houston can win that game.
- [23:36]
B
Oh, I agree. CJ Stroud is fun to watch. He reminds me a bit of Josh Allen rookie season where a little more.
- [23:42]
A
Composed than Josh Allen.
- [23:44]
B
That's fair. That's absolutely fair.
- [23:46]
A
Yeah. That. That Josh Allen.
- [23:48]
B
Yes.
- [23:48]
A
Yeah. But I'll take my chances. If they end up with C.J. stout coming to. On the road to Buffalo.
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B
Yeah, that's fair.
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A
The key game is Miami and the Chiefs City. How about that? Weather's going to be worse than we'll have.
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B
I don't think the Dolphins have a shot because of the weather. I. I mean, I could be clipped for old takes, exposed, all that stuff. But I mean, that is brutal. And especially when you're not used to it. I mean, we saw. We were in Miami this past weekend and it was a little chilly, of course, but like people wearing winter coats and stuff, which is fair. Like they're not used to that. But it's just a whole different. It is nothing like you neutralize speed by the gold, though. Like, that's another way to really slow them down.
- [24:31]
A
When Miami came to Buffalo last year late.
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B
Yes.
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A
And then it started snowing in the game. Take them right down the field and scored in the snow.
- [24:40]
B
I wish it was colder.
- [24:42]
A
Yeah. Don't be saying that. You know.
- [24:44]
B
Oh, I haven't watched Hard Knocks yet.
- [24:46]
A
Yeah, I want to watch.
- [24:46]
B
I keep falling asleep.
- [24:47]
A
But that game is the key. If Kansas City wins, they. They play the Bills. If the Bills win two play.
- [24:53]
B
They play in Buffalo in.
- [24:54]
A
How about that? First ever for momes.
- [24:58]
B
Yeah.
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A
Yeah. So I want to see that. You do want to see. Yeah, I want to see that game. But if it goes the other way.
- [25:05]
B
That game makes me nervous.
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A
I'm going to tell you right now, I feel confident in that game for the Bill.
- [25:10]
B
I just.
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A
I just do.
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B
Makes me nervous.
- [25:13]
A
I do. But it's Mahomes. If. So there's the key game for you. If Kansas City wins, it's guaranteed the Bills win. They're. They're coming to.
- [25:22]
B
Yes.
- [25:23]
A
To Buffalo and then the other game. So if Miami somehow were to win and they are getting some guys back, I think they're sh. Play.
- [25:30]
B
I think they're shy.
- [25:31]
A
Well, we talk. Will Mano has been a guest on the show a few times. Said physically this team is so beaten up, they look like. I mean, they have. Look, give Miami a break of this. They've had an Incredible amount of injuries on that defense. Oh, yeah, they just stripped down that defense. So they've had that.
- [25:47]
B
But they've also had some punishing loss like the, they had a blowout loss to the Ravens and then a back breaking loss to the Bills.
- [25:54]
A
So they had a chance for the one seed, got blown out. They had a chance for the two seed at home, got beat. Now they have a chance to keep their season going, but they got to.
- [26:01]
B
Go on the road to a negative 14 degree weather.
- [26:04]
A
And I think Kansas City might look a little better than they are in that game.
- [26:10]
B
I do. I actually don't really expect that game to be that close.
- [26:13]
A
Yeah, we'll see. You never know.
- [26:15]
B
Yeah, it's.
- [26:15]
A
That would be the, the incredible one. So those are the games, I gotta say, Houston. So Houston's got that game at home in the Dome. I think that helps them. Yeah, helps them a lot. So we'll see what ends up happening. And then, you know, in the NFC side, I think, you know, Green Bay is a fun team to watch. They've kind of gotten themselves together. They're the youngest team to make the playoffs since like a Bills team in the 70s. I think they were talking about. They're really young. I think they either upset the Cowboys or get blown out. And I think more likely they get blown out. But hey, you never know. And I, I don't even. I can't even hate watch the Eagles now. They're just so bad.
- [26:56]
B
I don't want to watch favorites.
- [26:59]
A
I don't know. Vegas, you tell me they beat Tampa earlier this year, but that, I mean.
- [27:03]
B
Tampa has a couple years ago particularly.
- [27:05]
A
They're not even any good still. And whoever wins that game's going nowhere. I mean, they just are. That's why other people come up to me, oh, you're Eagles. I go, do you think you're gonna hate on my team more than I do because I grew up with the Philly teams like we hate, we're good.
- [27:21]
B
At, but you're gonna watch. How much hope would you have if they won?
- [27:25]
A
Very little. Unless they all of a sudden looked like they did before. But that feels like years ago. So. Yeah, let him go. Let him go. Dang.
- [27:35]
B
Do you think Sirianni gets fired?
- [27:39]
A
I think there's always a chance. By the way, I just want to tell you this on the air. Oh, this is from my mom who watches our podcast. She has received her Buffalo plus sweatshirt.
- [27:51]
B
Terry's the best.
- [27:52]
A
Nice. So Val has one and Terry has one. Yeah, your mom and my mom.
- [27:56]
B
Yeah. So go get your buffalo.
- [27:58]
A
They watch.
- [27:58]
B
They do.
- [27:59]
A
They watch their subscribers.
- [28:01]
B
My mom. Oh, your hair.
- [28:04]
A
My mom never says that.
- [28:07]
B
All right. We talked about Sierra Sirianni, possibility of him being fired.
- [28:11]
A
It could happen.
- [28:12]
B
All right. Well, let's talk about Bill Belichick then, too. Mutual parting of ways was how it was described, which I think. I think you have to put it like that.
- [28:20]
A
They always do. Parting of ways, these euphemisms. It is probably like you have. They wanted him out and he wanted to go. I do think it is mutual at this point. It's mutual because it wasn't gonna. It wasn't gonna work.
- [28:33]
B
That's when you say after a breakup. Yeah, it was mutual.
- [28:36]
A
Yeah. And then later the dirt comes out. So, yeah, there'll be books about it and the whole thing. I don't think he really cares. I think it was more like. You're gonna say it this way. Kraft said all the right things.
- [28:46]
B
And look as he should, though.
- [28:47]
A
He should. The guy won six Super Bowls. Yeah. That relationship was done. They survived for that long. They want him. Go ahead and give all the credit you want to Brady if you want. It's silly.
- [28:57]
B
It's.
- [28:57]
A
It's not all Brady, but Belichick needed Brady. Brady needed Bellich. He did. Especially for a. Those Super Bowls. And I think that's fair. And they. And they dominated. Now, I'm going to tell you this. I think it's. I think he's the greatest coach of all time. I think this is bad news for the Bills.
- [29:19]
B
Really?
- [29:20]
A
Yes.
- [29:20]
B
Why?
- [29:21]
A
Because I don't think with the structure they had in New England, they had a real shot to turn that thing around in the next few years. Not saying the new guy. The new guy might be terrible. I don't.
- [29:34]
B
How do you follow up that Bill.
- [29:36]
A
Belichick, except he's given you some bad football over the last few years where they only made the playoffs once and the Bills pitched a perfect game against them in that one playoff game.
- [29:46]
B
Yeah.
- [29:47]
A
The bills are 7 and 2 in their last nine against them. The one game that's fair was the crazy cold game. And then the one this year. Oh, that has to burn McDermott, too. If the Bills win that game earlier this year, he has a winning record against Belichick with the Bills. Instead, he's. I think he's one game below. But the reason I say this is. And Belichick may go to Atlanta, wherever he decides to go and make it work. Could be like. And make. I just didn't see it happening in Foxborough. I think it was so ingrained with the way he was going to run things and the weird decisions they made. I think he'll be freed up a little bit in a new place in a different setting where it's not about even for Brady. When Brady went to Tampa, it was like, I'm out, I'm going to do it. Yeah, Tampa. When I say I'm talking about over the next few years, you never know who they bring in.
- [30:38]
B
I agree. But they still need a quarterback.
- [30:40]
A
That's it. But so I mean, he's been terrible with the non Brady times and playing Mac Jones like he's a guy and then people thinking Bailey Zappy is going to be anything like they need a total reboot franchise wise. He couldn't pick skill position. Their skill position guys were terrible. His coaching staff was not good. Like a lot of issues with that team because they were sort of stuck in the Belichick way. And that's odd to say, but I think it can work somewhere else. I didn't think it was going to work in Foxborough. Maybe they'll be terrible the next few.
- [31:13]
B
Years, but I think they're gonna be not good. I think.
- [31:17]
A
Well, they weren't good these past few years.
- [31:19]
B
You're right, you're right. I think you're right. I think Belichick's the Bella checking way had run its course in Foxborough. Absolutely. That's not to say that it can't work someplace else, but I think it.
- [31:29]
A
Just got tired and they're gonna draft again. I mean, what if they end up with Caleb Williams? What if they end up with one of these guys?
- [31:34]
B
I don't think. Okay, that's just my.
- [31:38]
A
I, I could be very wrong, Jenna, scouting the quarterbacks. He does have a lot of talent.
- [31:44]
B
He does, he does. But again, if you don't also have the infrastructure around him.
- [31:48]
A
Yeah.
- [31:48]
B
Then that can. I mean, you could have made us a thought process that Mac Jones would have been a lot better and then he kind of fell apart. There was a lot of change.
- [31:57]
A
Some of that was on Belichick.
- [31:58]
B
I agree. But you have to have the stability there in terms of coaching to help, you know, bring up a guy as well. It depends on your school of thought though, on quarterback. Like if they're good enough, they'll figure it out. If they're not good enough, they'll fail.
- [32:11]
A
I just couldn't see him really admitting that he needed a quarterback in Foxborough.
- [32:18]
B
See, that's insane to me because. Well, then that's denial.
- [32:20]
A
It is denial. That's why I say there.
- [32:22]
B
I, I feel like you have to. I don't know.
- [32:25]
A
He's gonna go say he goes to Atlanta.
- [32:28]
B
Most important position.
- [32:28]
A
Brings in Kirk Cousins, somebody like that. Yeah, that's the talent. The division's not good. He wants to win 15 more games. He's going to win. He's going to be the all time winning as coach. He's going to retire and then he's going to coach lacrosse somewhere.
- [32:43]
B
Yeah, whatever. Do you think Vrabel could be?
- [32:47]
A
Unless it's Mayo.
- [32:49]
B
Okay.
- [32:50]
A
In Foxborough, but I would assume now.
- [32:53]
B
You would want to go offensive minded, but obviously a lot of places don't adhere to them.
- [32:57]
A
Yeah, that's their defensive guys. I don't know. I don't. Who knows what Bob Kraft's going to do.
- [33:03]
B
I, I just. Whoever follows in those footsteps though, that is going to be a challenge.
- [33:08]
A
So when you look at the division going forward, the jets are going to have whack job quarterback next year and a bad head coach in Robert Salah. I just, I know they have a defense. I guess they're.
- [33:20]
B
They're so unlikable.
- [33:22]
A
They are.
- [33:22]
B
They are so unlikable.
- [33:24]
A
We'll see what that is next year. New England's in a total rebuild. Miami is still talented, but they need, they need to borrow some of that grit that the Bills have obtained this.
- [33:34]
B
Year signature win 70 points against the Broncos in Week 3.
- [33:40]
A
Yeah, we were in London standing in the press room. Matt Bovet missed that said three times. Anyhow, that's inside.
- [33:51]
B
Did you know this?
- [33:52]
A
They scored 70 points.
- [33:53]
B
We love Matt Bovet. We should, we should.
- [33:55]
A
Friend of the pod.
- [33:56]
B
Friend of the pod, for sure. All right. Anything else you want to add?
- [33:59]
A
No, we can't wait for the game Sunday. Like we'll be up there. We're doing our TV show again like we did last week live at the stadium. If you're in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, 10:30 on Sunday morning. 10:30 to 11 on the. Well, depends on your. Like I say, check your local listings.
- [34:18]
B
Check your local listings.
- [34:19]
A
Yeah.
- [34:20]
B
All right. We'll have plenty more content coming out this week as well. For Dan Fates, who is not here with a Veterans Day off, that's Mike Catalana. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe to the channel. It always helps us out and we do so appreciate it. Thank you so much for watching Buffalo plus, presented by Connors and Ferris. Buffalo plus, your interactive look at the week in football brought to you by Connors and Ferris.