FIVE Bills STORYLINES vs the JAGUARS: The INSANE National 'NARRATIVES' & BEST on BEST matchups

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: FIVE Bills STORYLINES vs the JAGUARS: The INSANE National 'NARRATIVES' & BEST on BEST matchups
Date: January 10, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team—Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, and Dan Fetes—break down the key storylines ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ Wild Card playoff clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Broadcasting from Jacksonville, the crew addresses national narratives surrounding Josh Allen, discusses meaningful matchups in the trenches, and gives in-depth context on coaching, player accolades, and injury updates. The tone is conversational, candid, and full of local insight, balancing serious analysis with humor and personal anecdotes.

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National Narratives: The Josh Allen Discourse

Timestamp: 03:24–11:55

• Absurd Pressure on Josh Allen:

  • Recent national media, notably ex-players Ryan Clark and Cam Newton, have painted a narrative where the entirety of the Bills’ playoff success or failure is placed squarely on Josh Allen’s shoulders.
  • Notable Quote (Dan Fates, 04:47):
    “Imagine having your narrative all set, no matter what happens, before the ball is even snapped. It’s crazy.”
  • The crew expresses frustration at reductionist takes that ignore the team aspect of football, emphasizing that no quarterback wins alone, and that Allen can't be held entirely responsible regardless of outcome.
  • Memorable Moment:
    Mike Catalana decries the "embarrassing" takes from former players who, in his view, should know better.
    (Mike, 06:03): “Narratives and legacies go with quarterback and playoff wins. Everybody accepts that, that what it is. But the idea of saying that if he, no matter what he does, it’s on him, is embarrassing.”

• Misplaced “Legacy” Pressure:

  • NFL discourse, according to the team, disproportionately blames QBs like Allen, while excusing others (Mahomes, Lamar, Burrow) who failed to make the playoffs.
  • Jenna sums up the local frustration:
    (Jenna, 08:26): “Just to have people who are sitting behind a desk who usually it feels like don’t even watch the games, commenting and making these huge generalizations, it’s just, it’s bananas to me.”

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Sean McDermott’s Job Security and Locker Room Dynamics

Timestamp: 11:03–13:41

• Context on Coaching Rumors:

  • National speculation has suggested McDermott could be on the hot seat with a playoff loss; the hosts push back hard, stressing his track record: five straight division titles, playoffs in eight of nine seasons.
  • Mike with perspective:
    (11:34): “He [McDermott] just hasn’t since the Super Bowl they won what, 13 years ago. They haven’t gotten past anything. … Five straight division titles, playoffs in eight of nine years. He’s not going anywhere. Certainly not going anywhere after the game tomorrow.”

• Locker Room Support:

  • The group highlights how players want to return and play for McDermott, noting his skill in keeping the locker room together—even after setbacks.

  • Dan Fates, 13:14:
    “That locker room is still very much behind Sean McDermott.”

  • Relationship with Josh Allen:
    The team comments on how crucial the coach-QB bond is, citing recent articles about their mutual trust.

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Key Matchups: Bills Offense vs Jags Defense

Timestamp: 14:05–18:54

• O-Line Dominance the Deciding Factor:

  • The O-line is underscored as Buffalo’s biggest x-factor. Dan points out past wins against top rushing defenses (Broncos, Ravens) as evidence the Bills aren’t afraid to run.
    • Dan, 15:09: “If we’re talking on the Buffalo YouTube channel at the end of tomorrow evening, it’s because the offensive line did a damn good job.”
  • Physicality and “running the ball down your throat” are described as demoralizing to opposing defenses.
    • Mike, 15:42 (on O-line impact): “There is nothing like an offensive line controlling the game ... You can almost sense it when you’re watching.”

• James Cook and Ray Davis Recognized:

  • Cook claims second-team All-Pro honors, while Davis is named first-team All-Pro as a returner—both crucial for the playoff push.

• Receiving Corps & Injuries:

  • Josh Palmer is ruled out (19:12), adding further challenge to a banged-up WR room.

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Bills Defense vs Trevor Lawrence & the Jaguars Offense

Timestamp: 20:35–24:36

• Statistical Deception:

  • The Bills’ defense is ranked #1 against the pass (by stats), but the hosts urge caution: run defense is better than numbers suggest, pass D not as elite—“stats are like bikinis … they show some things but not everything.” (Dan, 21:20)

• Jaguars’ Weapons:

  • Lawrence benefits greatly from versatile receivers (Jacoby Myers, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas). Tre’Davious White and Christian Benford’s matchups are highlighted, with concerns about Max Hairston's absence.

• Cole Bishop’s Growth:

  • Bishop’s transformation into a reliable safety is celebrated, with his physicality and discipline a key storyline.

• Pass Rush Needs to Step Up:

  • Lawrence struggles under pressure (24th in EPA under pressure, per Dan, 23:44). Joey Bosa, Rousseau, and company must impact the pocket, even if it doesn’t show up in the sack column.

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Special Teams: The Kicking Mismatch

Timestamp: 24:37–25:30

• Wide Kicking Gap:
  • Jacksonville’s Cam Little is lauded for his leg (hitting from 67, 68 yards), making field goals a real threat from almost anywhere.
  • Bills still uncertain if Matt Prater will be healthy enough to kick (Matthew Wright may be available).
  • Dan, 24:44: “The biggest mismatch, the biggest advantage versus disadvantage in the entire wild card weekend: Kicking.”

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Weather, Vibes, and Team Mindset

Timestamp: Opening–03:15; 17:02–17:36

• The Crew’s Jacksonville Experience:

  • Weather is unseasonably beautiful—welcomed by the team after chilly Western NY.
  • Lighthearted ribbing about travel stories, odd color rental cars, and “cloud talk” brings comic relief.

• Bills’ “Quiet Confidence”:

  • The Bills appear rated as quietly confident, hardened by close games and built on leadership and cohesion.
    • Jenna, 17:04: “I just think the quiet confidence that the Bills in general have and Deion [Dawkins] kind of talking about, like, I like where we’re at right now ... you want to be confident, you don’t want to be cocky, but you also need to know what you do well.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan (08:14): “It also makes it feel like it’s a no win situation for Josh and the Bills.”
• Mike on local coverage (08:51): “There is no way Ryan Clark actually believes this ... There is no way, that man has played too much football, knows too much football to say something idiotic like he said.”
• Jenna (13:41): “The playful banter, the relationship that they [Josh Allen and Sean McDermott] have is massively important.”
• On Demoralizing Physical Football (15:42): “When you’re a defensive line and you go back to the huddle and they ran the ball down your throat 10 times on a drive, you walk back and you’re going, ‘We’re screwed.’”

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Fun & Personality

Throughout, the team adds humor and personal stories—whether it’s travel shenanigans, bets involving jumping in rivers, or playful squabbles over clouds and rental cars.
Example, Dan (19:48): “If Gabe Davis scores two touchdowns ... I will jump into the St. John’s River.”

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Key Timestamps for Reference

• 03:24: Start of national media/Josh Allen narrative discussion
• 04:47: Dan provides the “pre-set narrative” quote
• 11:03: Sean McDermott job security
• 14:05: Offensive line matchup begins
• 19:12: Josh Palmer injury update
• 20:35: Defensive focus—Bills secondary vs Jags receivers
• 24:44: Special teams/kicker mismatch discussion

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Takeaway

This episode offers a passionate, insider’s look at the Bills heading into the playoffs—cutting through national noise, highlighting on-field keys, and grounding the discussion in both stats and intangibles. For any fan seeking context beyond national hot takes, this episode delivers deep Buffalo-centric insight with plenty of laughs along the way.

Transcript

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, we have made it down to Jacksonville Duvall.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, that's alarming. My biggest decision, wear the shades or not.

[Dan Fates]

And the national media has lost their mind.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo YouTube channel. My Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We're getting you set for this Bills Jags playoff game wild card weekend. We are down here in Jacksonville. It's been beautiful out. We'll talk about the weather, the vibe, all that stuff. Little news of the day. James Cook as well as Ray Davis being named all pro. Ray Davis, first team all pro for all he's done in the return game for the Bills, as well as James Cook named second team. More little injury stuff. Josh Palmer has been downgraded to out. We'll talk about the offense, the Bills, all that stuff. But first, I want to start with the ridiculousness of the national narratives that have been out there, especially considering what they're talking about in terms of Josh Allen needing to win and needing to carry his team tomorrow.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I want to get to that in a second. We have all made it. We have all traveled.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

Let's just do that again.

[Dan Fates]

Let's get to that.

[Mike Catalana]

Because I was going to say that I like playing that up a little bit, that we're all here, and then we'll go into the narrative. I should have said that when you were saying it was so good. The open's good. Just real quick, if you came to me, that's what I was going to say. I was going to say, oh, we're all here. This is. Yeah, Dan can say that. Just go to Dan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, in three, two. All right. Welcome back to the Buffalo Plus Channel. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. It is a beautiful day here in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bill's getting ready to take on the Jags on wild card weekend. Coming up tomorrow. We'll get you set for that matchup. But, Dan, it's beautiful down here.

[Dan Fates]

It's pretty nice. I've dogged on Jacksonville quite a bit this past week. Pretty sweet.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, we're right on the St. Johns river right here. The city behind us, the shades, like, I don't know, the sun's coming in and out.

[Dan Fates]

Come in and out of this video.

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna, you love clouds. Clouds are nice here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I also love the sun. Yeah, great clouds. It's been nice. It's a change of pace from western New York, but we know that all.

[Mike Catalana]

Of us are here.

[Dan Fates]

Traveled. All three of us.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

We've made it so far at the time of this recording. So hot now it is 2:52.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

We've talked about clouds. I've gotten made fun of for using a passport.

[Mike Catalana]

You also got made fun of for sleeping on the plane.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Dan also picked the most egregious colored suv. It's like a neon blue.

[Mike Catalana]

So, quick story. We pick up the car. No, no free ads. But we use a car dealer that is a national car dealer. And you get to pick the car on the aisle. It doesn't cost anything.

[Dan Fates]

It's like a greenish aisle.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's like a green aisle.

[Mike Catalana]

And so. Or Dan picked a absurd color.

[Dan Fates]

The color threw it off, making it feel bigger. It's a clown car.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

With all of our gear and suitcases.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A silver car, a black car, like a red car. And Dan's like, you know what I want the one that, like, reminds me of a bowling shoe. That's what I want. It's pretty.

[Dan Fates]

It's a little. There's the bear with us.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's a little Saudi. Okay. All right. We had our fun. Let's talk about this game.

[Mike Catalana]

We're still gonna have fun.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm gonna say I do. Let's start with the national noise. Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

They've lost their damn mind.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It has been ridiculous, the narrative around Josh Allen and how he has to win this game. Nobody cares what he does if the Bills don't win. It's all his fault. It's ridiculous.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Here's a clip from Ryan Clark from espn. I don't even know the context doesn't even fully go into how absurd this comment is.

[Ryan Clark]

Josh Allen has lived in this bubble that you couldn't criticize him. And if you criticize them, you were wrong. Because of what he did in that divisional playoff round, because of what we seen during the season. If he loses this game, it's on him. I'm not gonna care if James Cook doesn't play well. I'm not gonna care if Shakira drops balls. I'm not gonna care if they can't stop the run. I'm gonna care that Josh Allen is the best player left playing in football right now and he couldn't will his team to win. We have seen the greats drag teams who aren't supposed to be super bowl champions. Two Super Bowls, and there are no other greats in the AFC playing right now.

[Mike Catalana]

So.

[Ryan Clark]

So Josh Allen has to show up in this game, and the support system has to raise its play or his play has to raise theirs.

[Mike Catalana]

Or we're going to have to talk.

[Jenna Cottrell]

About him differently in your estimation.

[Ryan Clark]

At some point we're going to have to say, okay, Josh, we know what you've done in the past. We believe you've shown up in other situations, but they needed you to show up this year and you didn't show up in the way that allowed them to keep playing.

[Dan Fates]

Imagine having your narrative all set, no matter what happens, before the ball is even snapped. It's crazy. And Cam Newton also had another take and he was talking about how it's all on the quarterback and all these kind of things. It's almost like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are being complimented for not being. They're getting awarded for not making the playoffs. And the pressure falls all on Josh because he made them. And I just think it's absolutely insane.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just. Seeing the comments, it's like we all joke and obviously quarterbacks, great quarterbacks, can take over a game, but it's just so absurd to me to be like, oh, he's the only player that matters on the field and whatever he does, if his team loses, it's his fault.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, football, maybe more than any other sport, is so team driven. Look, you need the quarterback. Quarterback's gotta make plays, gotta play. Well, I get it. But no matter how great a quarterback is, he can't do it by himself.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And the narrative from a former player, a guy who played for the Steelers, and even Cam Newton, who should know better as a quarterback to almost be saying it's so much on Josh Allen. Look, there's pressure on Josh Allen. He's the quarterback, he makes the money.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Narratives and legacies go with quarterback and playoff wins. Everybody accepts that, that what it is. But the idea of saying that if he, no matter what he does, no matter what he does, it's on him, is embarrassing. And I have heard it for four decades covering the NFL players. At times former players will say, well, you don't know because you didn't play in the league. Ryan Clark's comment came like some chucklehead who never played in the league, a shock jock, radio or Skip Bayless type who just throws stuff out there. Ryan Clark knows better and I know he knows football. But to say that is. You talk about trying to really make something fit and a lot of people listen and it gets built up as that's the narrative for Josh Allen. And I just find it absurd.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, because it is.

[Dan Fates]

It's absurd. And again, if you want to Say go on TV and say, Josh needs to win this because he hasn't won a road playoff game and he needs to do this. And he has to outplay Trevor Lawrence, who's had statistically a better season than him. Yeah, absolutely. All of that is fair. But to say that it's because there's no Mahomes, there's no Lamar Jackson and no Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow, like that adds pressure because they're not even involved in the game. How often do you hear that? Well, the quarterbacks don't face off against one another. Like, it'd be like if Josh has to throw and catch the passes, like that is the amount of pressure that he's under.

[Jenna Cottrell]

There is the Tommy can't catch it too.

[Dan Fates]

There is like the universal understanding from most people that follow the Bills or have closely. I'm not talking about from the auxiliary. Is that understanding, hey, this isn't a great team, but you have Josh Allen, you have a really good offensive line, which we'll get to. You have James Cook, who's an all pro, all those things. I can get behind all of that. But to sit there and have the gall to J, G A U, L.

[Mike Catalana]

I think it's two Ls.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, two Ls.

[Mike Catalana]

Just G A G A U, L, isn't it?

[Dan Fates]

That's what I said.

[Mike Catalana]

You said G A U, L. I don't know.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It doesn't matter. Gaul.

[Dan Fates]

The Gaul. It's a good word.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just think it's so tone deaf. Yeah. It's just unbelievable to me. And it's silly.

[Dan Fates]

And it also makes it feel like it's a no win situation for Josh and the Bills.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

In a weird way.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. It's like, well, then you win. It's like, well, you should have beat.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

He wins the Super Bowl. It's like, well, you know, Mahomes and.

[Mike Catalana]

Lamar and Joe Burrow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That is why, though. That is why sometimes I get so frustrated. Because, like, we are around the team all the time. So many other local media members are around the team all the time. And so we know what's actually going on with teams and what it's like. And just to have people who are sitting behind a desk who usually it feels like don't even watch the games, commenting and making these huge generalizations, it's just, it's bananas to me.

[Mike Catalana]

I. I just am offended that it's a former player in the NFL because he knows I tweeted. There's no way Ryan Clark actually believes this. There is no way that man has played too much football, knows too much football to say something idiotic like he said that it's all on the guy, no matter how he plays. Josh could not play much better than he did in 13 seconds. Yep. Could not play much better. I don't know what.

[Dan Fates]

It's a road playoff loss.

[Mike Catalana]

It is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yep.

[Mike Catalana]

And listen, he owns that. Because quarterbacks, they can say what they want. Win, loss, record is a quarterback stat. It's not fair, but it is.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

Just like playoff wins, just like Super Bowls. I mean, it's just what they say.

[Dan Fates]

I mean, it's like, what if Josh plays terrible and the Bills win the game?

[Mike Catalana]

It's like, see, like. Like they would be thoroughly confused by this.

[Dan Fates]

This win doesn't count. How can I hula hoop myself out of this?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, well, there's. There's that narrative. And then you mention, you know, the Bills are.05 under Sean McDermott. Context matters. So the first was 2017 season here in Jacksonville, the team that broke the 17 year playoff drought. Tyrod Taylor was the starting quarterback for that Bills team. Like it was a season where it was cool for them to even get to the playoffs. They weren't really ready for that. Then the next time, it was Josh Allen early on in his career in Houston, where it all fell apart for.

[Dan Fates]

The Bills smashing on buttons.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And then after that, it's the three, three losses to the Chiefs, who obviously we know how dominant they have been. But that will follow around Sean McDermott and Josh Allen, because that's just how this works.

[Mike Catalana]

Look, they've been fortunate to have the home games. They've won a lot of them. But you gotta at some time win on the road. This team's gonna need to win on the road. I think it's fair to criticize them because they had three shots in Kansas City with this team with the full Josh Allen. They didn't get it done. They were early in 2020. They blew it in 13 seconds. And they had a shot last year in the championship game, but they lost them all. Fair to say. But, Jenna, for people to go from that to, if Sean McDermott loses this game, he's getting fired. Guess what, folks? Sean McDermott, maybe a lot of you want him to get fired, good luck with that. He's not getting fired. I would say I shouldn't say, no.

[Dan Fates]

Matter what happens in the game, you.

[Mike Catalana]

Never know what happens.

[Dan Fates]

Well, no, but just you can make bold statements before a game's even kicked off. We could do that. National media. Yeah, but the thought of what Mike has been talking our ears off about on this trip and in the car is the fact of, well, John Harbaugh shouldn't take any jobs just yet because you don't know what could happen this wild card weekend.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. That's been a narrative from people that the Bills could hire John Harbaugh, the guy who can't beat the Chiefs and doesn't beat the Bills, can't beat the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Bills in the playoffs.

[Mike Catalana]

And John Harbaugh is a really good football coach.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Mike Catalana]

He just hasn't since the super bowl they won what, 13 years ago. They haven't gotten past anything. So I just, we just feel like we know the reality. If, even if you guys want it, some of you won it. Sean's not going anywhere. Five straight division titles, playoffs in eight of nine years. He's not going anywhere. Certainly not going anywhere after the game tomorrow.

[Dan Fates]

Correct.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What is it? I'm not leaving.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Wolf of Wall Street.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Yeah. No, but I do think that that is, as someone as, as we all obviously cover the team so much, it does feel like Sean McDermott, Terry Bagula and him are very much in lockstep. And it's, it's not, it's the Harbaugh stuff. And you're hearing that noise, you're like, what are people even talking about?

[Mike Catalana]

What are we doing to add to that? Jenna, you read, we all read the article written in the athletic about Sean McDermott and there's some really interesting stuff in there, New York Times, about Josh Allen and Sean McDermott and the relationship.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That they have and obviously how important that is between quarterback and coach. And it feels like they are very much on the same page. And we see that every day that.

[Dan Fates]

We'Re in Orchard park, we make light of the fact of the Bills continuing to bring back guys.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Which is part of the. Which it's a double edged sword like, okay, like you wish you could get fresh blood in here, but guys want to come back and play for Sean McDermott.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's a testament to what it really.

[Dan Fates]

Is a testament to Sean. And you hear those guys that when they come back, Tray White, who went.

[Mike Catalana]

To two different organizations, good organizations too.

[Dan Fates]

Absolutely.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So I just think that all that stuff needs to be put in context now. Again, I always went based it off of. You can tell when a team, when a coach loses the locker room.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

And that has never been the case in Buffalo. If you want to say on his resume, he's got 13 seconds, he's had Josh Allen and hasn't gone to A Super bowl yet. All of those are fair. But that locker room is still very much behind Sean McDermott. We talked about the video of Paul Skeens meeting Josh Allen and Sean McDermott meeting Paul Skeens. And then Josh comes over and he's rubbing Sean's head and Sean's like, do you do this to your coach? Like, come on. The playful banter, the relationship that they have is massively important.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, yeah. No, it's very true. Alright, let's talk a little bit more about this matchup. Now. I do want to note James Cook, second team all Pro. Ray Davis, first team all pro, as a returner. Great for him. I mean, the season that those guys are having James Cook and also for this matchup tomorrow, the offensive line and just how impactful they have been this season, how impactful they will be this postseason for the Bills to get done what they need to.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, the offensive line, to me, it's not sexy. It's not fun to talk about in depth about the keys to the game because it's very coach speak. You got to win the line of scrimmage.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Got to win in the trenches.

[Dan Fates]

In the trenches. If the Bills win, it's because the offensive line was dominant. And I know the Jags have the number one rated rushing defense. You know who else had the number one rated rushing defense last year? The Denver Broncos. The bills ran for 240 yards against them. And then they faced the number two ranked rushing defense in the Baltimore Ravens. They ran for 140 yards, I believe 90 of it was in the first half. It was the most yards the Baltimore Ravens in the history of their franchise had allowed in a postseason half. And they are the dominant defensive franchise that you think of. Okay, this team, I have said it before, I think they can run the ball down their throats. They've done it before. But it comes down to execution. It's not just like you're going to roll the ball out there, but I'm sitting there, if we're talking on the Buffalo YouTube channel at the end of tomorrow evening, it's because the offensive line did a damn good job.

[Mike Catalana]

And I think it's being a physical football team, both sides of the ball, and you can feel it. And I do think a lot of times people think of physical with tackles and big hits. And that's true. You can play physical football on defense, on the D line, you can control it. But there is nothing like an offensive line controlling the game. You'll see it on your TV when you see James Cook Getting through the hole three yards before he's hit. It's going to be a good day. You know what I mean? Like, you can. You can almost sense it when you're watching. It's like when you watch the team tackle and three guys are around the ball, I think you can sense that it's going to be a good day.

[Dan Fates]

I always remember Chris Long has talked about it, being a defensive guy, and he goes, when Tom Brady would go 10 passes and they'd go 13 plays down the field and cut you with a thousand paper cuts, you'd go back to the sidelines. Like, that was all gimmicky. We'll get them next time. He goes, when you're a defensive line and you go back to the huddle and they ran the ball down your throat 10 times on a drive, you walk back and you're going, we're screwed. Like. Like they just outmanned us. And that's a problem. Like, that can break their will. Like, that is how you, you know, put your force and your step and, like, impact on the game that. I don't expect the Bills to shy away in any way from a really good Jags defensive line. I'm not trying to sit there and diminish them in what they've accomplished. It's just more of. I have more faith, honestly, in the Bills offensive line.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think the word that I feel like a lot of defensive players will use is it's like, it's. It's demoralizing when a team can constantly run the ball on you. And that has been a strength of this Bills offense all season long. And we talk about its strength on strength in terms of the Jags run defense and the Bills run offense. But I just do feel with the experience that this Bills team has with the offensive line, the coach cohesion that we know, I just do feel that they have that edge in this game. And Dion Dawkins talk this week just about, you know, I. I feel like we've heard a lot from the Jags point of view in, you know, the confidence that they have, and as they should, they've won 13 games.

[Dan Fates]

Like, this has been a phenomenal eight in a row.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, eight wins in a row. But I just think the quiet confidence that the Bills in general have and Deion kind of talking about, like, I like where we're at right now, because I think you want to be confident, you don't want to be cocky, but you also need to know what you do well. And the Bills run the ball very well.

[Dan Fates]

Daquan Jones.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. It's one man whooping another man.

[Dan Fates]

That's what football comes into.

[Mike Catalana]

And you know, the other thing is the run game as Dan adjusted.

[Dan Fates]

Wow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think it's. I think that cloud's gonna stay.

[Mike Catalana]

Your clouds really set in this time.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, cloud whisper.

[Dan Fates]

Go to Mike's Twitter.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I love clouds.

[Mike Catalana]

The run game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like I'm making a high joke, but I'm not.

[Dan Fates]

I love lamp.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I love Lamp. I love nature.

[Mike Catalana]

The run game isn't always schemed. Like there are teams that scheme up the run really well. And it is, but sometimes it's like they know it's coming correct. And they can't stop. Can't stop it. And by not stopping it, I don't mean it's 60 yard touchdowns. I mean it's 5 yards, it's 7 yards, it's 6 yards, it's 12 yards. It's what James Cook has done to the league this year. They feel confident, as good as this defense is, that they can do that on Sunday.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I know there's a lot of talk too. Why wasn't James Cook first team? All probably. Look, James Cook won the NFL rushing title this season. We know how good he has been. Bijan Robinson, though, 800 receiving yards added in there as well. So it makes sense to me when you zoom out and you look at it, it's tough that there's only one running back named, one of a lot of positions named. But I will say for this team, I think of where James Cook was at last season, I feel like that Chiefs, that AFC championship game, the effort that he made on that touchdown kind of started off where he has been this whole. I mean, you could say he was playing great ball last year as well, but that to me was a moment of like, holy shit, this dude can ball. Playmaker, playmaker. And I expect him to have that type of intensity, that type of effort tomorrow and also be able to make plays like that because he has this season.

[Dan Fates]

Your cloud didn't last long on a.

[Mike Catalana]

Team, though, without playmakers on the outside. I think Dalton Kincaid is going to be very important to this offense when they're throwing the ball. And maybe Dawson Knox, maybe James Cook out of the backfield. We'll see how that happens. And then we already know one of the receivers isn't playing.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, Josh Palmer has been downgraded to out that. Not great.

[Mike Catalana]

It's just been a mess this year.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, absolutely, it's been a mess. But I still think that if we know anything about Josh Allen, it's how he has put on the cape in the playoffs. Right. So I look at this game and I just posted my Uncle Dan's best bets. I like Kincaid. I like Knox. I like Shakir. I think that when Josh, when it comes down to it, he's going to have to make plays through the air to keep the defense honest. He's going to go to guys that he can trust, that he has leaned on, that he has had success with before. And if Gabe Davis scores two touchdowns.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, just so if everyone didn't watch the live pod on Thursday. So for Dan to jump into the Jags pool. What?

[Mike Catalana]

So that's the Jags pool. If. If Gabe gets three touchdowns, Dan will jump into the St. John's River.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, there are people swimming in it. We saw one person.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, but kayaking.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Paddle boarding.

[Dan Fates]

Paddle boarding.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Two touchdowns from Gabe Davis, three sacks from Greg Russo and three touchdowns from Khalil Shakir. For me to do it, so.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. I hope that's not the case.

[Mike Catalana]

And by the way, could we get arrested for jumping in that pool?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was definitely seeing that.

[Dan Fates]

I definitely think so.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Maybe we need a. Well, let's see.

[Mike Catalana]

Isn't it worth it, though, if. What? If it all happened?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I don't want to get you my press credential.

[Mike Catalana]

Can you imagine if that was. What would that be? Three sacks and five.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A landslide win for the Bills. Again, it's contingent also on a Bills win.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, it's got to be a win.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right. We talked about the offense. Let's go to the defensive side of the ball for the Bills. We know the Jags, they've been playing really well. We talked about Trevor Lawrence having an outstanding season, his best season as a pro so far. The pressure that has been on this Bills defense, they haven't played well throughout the season. But I do think this last stretch, I would say the last. Would you say six games, it feels like they've found something. And what can that do for them?

[Mike Catalana]

So they're ranked number one against the pass, and they are considered a poor team against the run. I think they're better against the run than their numbers. And they're not as good against the pass as they numbers.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So you're saying it's in the middle, Michael?

[Mike Catalana]

It's in the middle, yes.

[Dan Fates]

Because two things are like.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, I was trying to think of.

[Dan Fates]

Stats are like bikinis.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Because bikinis.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes, Stats are like bikinis. You say this.

[Dan Fates]

They show some things, but not everything. All things.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And also. No, that wouldn't work for Two things can be true at the same time.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, no, two things can be true.

[Mike Catalana]

They can be no good against the past, but maybe not number one, the Lincolns. So, so going against Jacksonville, and I've said this is a well coordinated offense. Trevor Lawrence is playing well. He's got just almost like an ideal set of receivers. He's got Jacoby Myers, who I don't know if you've heard the Bills were interested in, didn't get, and then Parker Washington, who has been really good on the inside, and Brian Thomas with that speed on the outside. It has made life so much better for Trevor Lawrence, who has played well. So I look at the Bill secondary and go, trae White's been really good. He just talked to him this week. He's confident in the way he's played. Obviously you got, you know, Christian Benford on the other side. No Max Hairston. I think they're going to miss that speed when they need him out there.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Definitely agree.

[Mike Catalana]

We've seen this team when they lose a corner, that's tough. I think Dane Jackson will probably be in the game as a backup, but it's going to be Cole Bishop, too, and Jordan Poyer, and that Poyer experience is going to be big for this team. I think the secondary's got to really be ready to step up.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just think about how different this season, this postseason, is entering it for Cole Bishop than it was last year. Yeah, like the player that he has grown into, what he's been able to do is tremendous and then how he must be feeling about his game. And I think tomorrow is another opportunity to show, you know, where he started and how far he's come.

[Mike Catalana]

In that article about Sean McDermott, he talked. They talked about Cole Bishop and it said McDermott, the safety, you know, it was like basically told his guy, you can't let people go walking through the middle.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

And in the next game, he lit somebody out. Oh, it was somebody else. Nico Collins. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Against Houston.

[Mike Catalana]

And so he has been that guy. Much more confident. But this is big. This is what we say is maybe you just said a third career playoff start that he's going to have in this game. Let's see how he plays. But he's going to be vital to what they do in the defense because, you know, that whole thing with Brian Thomas, they have really used Brian Thomas to bring that safety over and clear things up on the other side. They gotta be really smart with how they use their safeties and pass coverage.

[Dan Fates]

Sorry, I was looking for a stat because we Talk about the pass defense, how they could, you know what, help that those corners.

[Mike Catalana]

Pass rush.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Pass rush.

[Dan Fates]

Trevor Lawrence has not been great. I believe he's 24th in EPA. When he's under pressure, that's gotta be a key, is to get him off his pocket.

[Mike Catalana]

Five zero here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Joey Bosa, too.

[Mike Catalana]

Joey Bosa.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You said this in the other video, but this is why you signed him.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep. And he's made some big plays. Like the one he made at the end of the Patriots game was huge.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Huge.

[Mike Catalana]

And I know. Yeah, the Browns game was. Was, you know, Rousseau, he had the deflected pass and then Rousseau. That's what they need. It doesn't mean. It doesn't even mean the stats. It means pressure in certain circumstances. Right. Josh Allen did not get sacked by Chris Jones in that playoff game at home. He didn't get it. He got pressured and it impacted what could have been a game winning play. That's the kind of stuff you need, especially late in this game.

[Dan Fates]

Am I still in the shot or is my head cut off?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, you're good.

[Dan Fates]

It's just we're about to hit shade.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I would say the sun is.

[Dan Fates]

We got one more topic. So this is perfect.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right.

[Dan Fates]

The biggest mismatch, the biggest advantage versus disadvantage in the entire wild card weekend.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Kicking.

[Dan Fates]

Kicking the Jags kicker versus Matt Prater or Matt Wright.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. So we're recording this a little bit before we know for sure. I think they may very well bring up Matthew Wright, the kicker in the. You know, we'll see if it's official because they need to have him ready in case, you know, an hour and a half before the game when they have to make the roster. Set that if Prater can't go, they need to be ready for that. So we'll see if they activate him. If not, let's just. Even if we assume it's Praetor, Prater's been a solid good kicker for them. Yep. But this kid for Jacksonville has been unreal. 67 yards, 68 yards. I mean, it's. It's absurd.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Midfield and one kicker field and you're good.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. So that is Dan's right. That is a.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's another reason why I do feel like the Bills will be aggressive on fourth down is because A, what is Matt Prater's leg gonna be like? And B, with Cam Little on the other side, they can be dangerous from. Essentially, it feels like anywhere on the field. Agreed. Okay. Anything else, gentlemen? Also, I know we had some fun with this one. We're just Excited. We're all down here. I. I know it. We're all just about football, but we're having a good time and we really hope that we'll have this season continue on and give you even more Buffalo coverage.

[Mike Catalana]

Sunday morning, if you're in Buffalo or Rochester, 10:30 in the morning, we'll be on Fox Rochester for our TV show, Buffalo Plus TV Show. And then at 11:00 o' clock on here on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel, we'll be live from 11 to 11:30. Behind us will not be the river, it'll be the field at Everbank Stadium Stadium. It'll be what's behind us and we'll be all set up and ready to go and we'll be taking your questions and comments. So make sure you know what the other shows. I don't mean other local shows. Those guys do a good job. I'm talking at the national shows like there's going to be nonsense. You're going to hear the same nonsense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

You know, we're going to be talking about the Bills and we'll give you the honest scoop and what we see and what we hear. So join us at 11 o'. Clock.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Anything else?

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna picked a restaurant for tonight.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Pretty nice seafood, sea food.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, my God.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I think Jacksonville. You guys clowned on.

[Dan Fates]

Hey, I looked at the menu. What are you getting?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't know what I'm getting. Phone is falling down my.

[Mike Catalana]

Here's what I'm gonna tell you. The places in my mind this year that I was like, oh, you know, like last year, I would say when we went to Baltimore, I was big on Baltimore, dropped down for me. Pittsburgh this year, I just think the crowd wasn't into it. It was not great. Jacksonville, to this point, thumb up, not all the way up. We haven't been to the stadium. I know they're doing a lot of stuff around there, but they're building a lot of stuff around here. The weather's nice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So I agree. That's how I feel about Houston. Houston went up in my book. Yeah, Houston was fun. I mean, I know the game was.

[Dan Fates]

But we flew southwest. Jenna and I had a seat in between us. On the flight down here, I watched.

[Jenna Cottrell]

When Harry Met Sally for the first time.

[Mike Catalana]

I love it when you go back to my era.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So good. So Zach and I's wedding song was it had to Be youe.

[Mike Catalana]

That's cool.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I didn't know that was in the movie.

[Mike Catalana]

That was a great. That's a great movie.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

I will get those two to Watch Almost Famous, which is an incredible movie. I will get you to watch it. And also those two.

[Dan Fates]

Exactly.

[Mike Catalana]

Those two sat in the same row. I finally got a little quiet and some peace and I sat by myself.

[Dan Fates]

Hey, what did I do on the first flight?

[Mike Catalana]

Slept.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, Dan moved to the middle seat first for me. Very smart, which was very nice. Genuinely unexpected. And I was like, are you sure?

[Dan Fates]

I got on earlier carrying the camera. You bat your eyelashes, you say, I gotta get on. I'm in group B.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's Dan batting his eyelashes.

[Dan Fates]

By the way, I had an aisle seat. I know. Jenna likes the aisle seat. I'm more of a window person myself. I scooched in.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was very nice of you. I appreciate that.

[Mike Catalana]

Hang on one second. I gotta tell you, I wanna make sure I got a name. Oh, yeah, Tim. Oh, you remember. Look, you remembered it. My wife and I were out for two dinner in Rochester on Friday night. Tim, awesome came up server there. Great. Great server and also loves the channel. Tim, thanks for shouting this out.

[Jenna Cottrell]

There was an older gentleman we saw today at the Rochester airport heading to Arizona. He's a huge fan of the channel. I did not catch his name. That is my mistake. But we had a great chat. He's a huge Buffalo plus fan, so thank you. We really appreciate all the love and support.

[Mike Catalana]

Awesome.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, co Cool. Okay. For Mike and Dan, I'm Jenna. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We'll have plenty more coverage getting you ready for this. Bill's Jacks wild card. That's absolutely terrifying.

[Mike Catalana]

That's more jarring than all.