Buffalo Plus Podcast: Buffalo Bills Survive Giants Scare—Postgame Report

Date: October 17, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is a deep dive into the Buffalo Bills' narrow 14-9 Sunday night win over the New York Giants. The Buffalo Plus crew critically assesses the game, focusing on the Bills’ offensive struggles, defensive grit, and key moments that ultimately determined the outcome. With candid observations and behind-the-scenes perspectives, the hosts explore why the Bills labored against an inferior opponent, what this game reveals about ongoing concerns, and what lies ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. General Game Flow and Emotional Response

• The Bills eked out a win in what was described as a "lousy football game" with a "boring at times" rhythm, saved only by an incredible finish.
  • Quote: "For what was a lousy football game. I thought boring in times. It ended up being an incredible finish and the Bills just again find a way." —Mike Catalon (00:00)
• The last play loomed large—not just a win, but survival against a Giants offense with no recent touchdowns (220+ minutes).

2. Controversial Decisions and Coaching Analysis

• Breakdown of game management in the final minutes, including the debate over McDermott’s call to throw on third down versus running the ball.
  • Quote: "I'm fine with it." —Dan Fates on 3rd-down throw (02:50)
• Special teams and field goal considerations, amid a rare off night for Tyler Bass.

3. Defensive Resilience and Goal-Line Drama

• Giants had not scored an offensive touchdown for over 220 minutes but nearly won on the final plays.
• Defensive stand at the goal line on back-to-back plays, with a penalty giving the Giants a second life.
• Taron Johnson’s View:
  • Quote: “I'm gonna play aggressive. If he throw a flag, that's just what it is. ... I'm just happy we came out with it.” —Taron Johnson, on the last play (05:14)

4. Offensive Struggles and Scheme Critique

• The offense didn't score until the fourth quarter—described as "perplexing" and "hard to swallow."
  • Quote: "Is zero points going into the fourth quarter a bad thing?" —Mike Catalon (05:58, sarcastically)
• Heavy criticism of repeated shotgun runs on short yardage:
  • Quote: "If I see another shotgun run on third or fourth and short, I'm gonna lose my mind." —Dan Fates (07:31)
• Lack of involvement from secondary receivers and lack of creativity/play-calling from offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
  • Quote: "It seems like Ken Dorsey's trying to zig when everyone else is zagging... It's not working." —Dan Fates (08:53)

5. Josh Allen’s Heroics—and Injury Concern

• Allen’s improvisational playmaking deemed essential to victory.
• He got X-rays on his throwing shoulder postgame but assured, "we'll be all right."
  • Quote: "Gutsy performance again by Josh because of dealing with that pretty much the entire second half." —Dan Fates (12:40)
• The offense felt “in the mud”; Allen seen as “dejected” at his press conference despite the win.

6. Key Plays and Turning Points

• End of First Half: Tyrod Taylor’s run call at the goal line prevents almost-certain Giants points.
  • Quote: "Tyrod Taylor did the Buffalo Bills a favor, it appears... They were guaranteed 3 points—could very well have had seven." —Mike Catalon (15:00)
• Goal-Line Stand: Defense holds up after a penalty extends the game, stopping the Giants on the final play.
• Big Breaks: Giants’ coaching missteps and Barkley not getting the ball at the end.

7. Fight and Physicality—Momentum Shifts

• Noteworthy scrum between the Bills’ O-line and Giants defenders, with Josh Allen jumping into the fray.
  • Quote: "The quarterback here, Josh Allen, had his lineman's back." —Dan Fates (18:46)
• Sean McDermott praised the team for not backing down but emphasized Allen needs to be smarter and safer.

8. Emotional Aftermath and Perspective

• The game felt like a loss emotionally, given the struggles, despite the win.
  • Quote: "You would think they lost this game... to some respects, it kind of feels like an icky... win." —Dan Fates (16:42)
• Recognized that these are recurring issues that should concern fans.
• Film sessions expected to be tough: "Film sessions are going to be ugly for these guys... going to see a lot of stuff they didn’t do well." —Mike Catalon (17:21)

9. Defensive Player Highlights

• Terrell Bernard lauded for his playmaking and toughness, even as questions about his size lingered.
  • Quote: "He may have a long career... he is not afraid to fly around with his body." —Dan Fates (26:12)
• Dorian Williams and A.J. Epenesa also earned praise for their energy and impact.

10. Major Injury Scare—Damien Harris

• Intense concern for Harris after leaving on a stretcher, but initial reports are positive (movement in extremities).
  • Quote: “It brings back kind of the thoughts about Demar [Hamlin]... It was nice to know... they're not doing CPR.” —Dan Fates (24:01)
• Emotional impact on team, with Dion Dawkins visibly choked up about the string of injuries.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "For what was a lousy football game. I thought boring in times. It ended up being an incredible finish and the Bills just again find a way." —Mike Catalon (00:00)
• “There are no style points... it's a win.” —Dan Fates (01:47)
• "If I see another shotgun run on third or fourth and short, I'm gonna lose my mind." —Dan Fates (07:31)
• "I'm gonna play aggressive... if he throw a flag, that's just what it is... I'm just happy we came out with it." —Taron Johnson (05:14)
• "Film sessions are going to be ugly for these guys." —Mike Catalon (17:21)
• “Josh Allen had to make some incredible plays for them to get offense going.” —Mike Catalon (08:53)
• "He [Josh Allen] looked... slightly disheveled... that's the most we've seen him be dejected." —Jenna Cottrell (14:22)
• “Tyrod Taylor did the Buffalo Bills a favor, it appears... They were guaranteed three points—could very well have had seven." —Mike Catalon (15:00)
• “He may have a long career... he is not afraid to fly around with his body." —Dan Fates on Terrell Bernard (26:12)
• “Effort. Whether it's 5 or 55 or whatever, a win's a win, and that's all that matters.” —Josh Allen, as relayed by Dan Fates (16:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 Main theme, ugly game but incredible finish
• 01:50 Coaching decisions on final drive; field goal vs. punt vs. pass
• 05:14 Taron Johnson on last play aggression
• 07:31 Deep dive: Red-zone offense and shotgun runs
• 12:27 Josh Allen’s injury and gutsy play
• 14:54 Giants’ end-of-half blunder: Tyrod Taylor's audible
• 18:00 On-field fight and Josh Allen’s involvement
• 24:01 Damien Harris stretcher situation and emotional impact
• 26:09 Terrell Bernard and unsung defensive heroes

Conclusions & Outlook

• The Bills avoided disaster but showed major offensive flaws against a weak Giants team, raising real concerns despite the win.
• Defensive resilience, situational luck, and flashes of quarterback brilliance carried the day—but recurring trends in slow offensive starts are troubling.
• Next up are the Patriots, another struggling offensive opponent, giving Buffalo a chance to address its issues.

This episode captures a tense, critical, but ultimately optimistic snapshot of the Buffalo Bills in mid-October 2023—winners on the stat sheet, but with much to improve as the season rolls on.