Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Title: JOSH ALLEN and the Bills SURVIVE Dolphins' SCARE: 3rd down ISSUES + Dalton Kincaid's BEST GAME

Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus dives into the Buffalo Bills' 31-21 home victory over the Miami Dolphins, a game filled with tense moments, third-down defensive woes, a breakout performance from Dalton Kincaid, and ongoing discussions about the team’s overall trajectory. The hosts bring their signature mix of analysis, banter, and behind-the-scenes insight, reflecting on the highs and lows on both sides of the football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Bills Survive a Dolphins Scare

• Game Recap:
  • The Bills move to 3-0 after a far more stressful match than anticipated.
  • Despite never trailing, the game felt closer due to their struggles, particularly on third down.
• Dolphins’ Fight:
  • Jenna: “I was impressed tonight by how much fight the Dolphins had. I was not expecting that. I thought it would be a pretty lame team coming in here. You got to give them some credit.” (04:26)
  • The Dolphins converted 10 of 15 third downs and kept drives alive, making the game uncomfortably tight.

2. Third Down Defense Struggles

• Problems Containing Tua:
  • Mike: “They did not keep Tua contained and gave him more time. They were not getting enough of a pass rush... he was moving around and making the plays and it was bad.” (03:16)
  • Frustration that after making a key play on first or second down, the Bills would immediately surrender a conversion on third.
• Context:
  • Dan points out that statistically, the Bills entered the game as the “best” third down defense due to the Jets' 0-for-11 in Week 1, but the eye test told a different story.
  • “They allowed five third downs on a drive for the first time since 2016.” (02:16)

3. Game-Changing Turnover

• Bernard’s Interception:
  • The game pivoted on Terrell Bernard’s interception, a play the coaches had specifically prepared for.
  • Attribution given to both Bernard for awareness and rookie DT Deion Walker for his penetration and pressure.
    • Deion Walker: “I hit the move as I’m running back there. I see him throw it, I just... don’t even look back. I just hear the crowd start screaming. So I’m like, yeah, okay, incompletion. Then I just see everybody running that way. So I’m like, oh, okay, let me go. But, you know, it was a great feeling for sure.” (07:05)
  • Mike: “That was a really, really good play.” (08:38)

4. “Good Teams Find a Way to Win”

• Critical Moments:
  • Dolphins roughing the punter (second time this season) set up a scoring drive for the Bills.
  • Miami committed crucial errors (illegal man downfield, personal fouls) at key moments.
  • Dan: “Before you start to win, you have to find ways not to lose.” (09:27)
• Bills’ Resilience:
  • Jenna: “When this team has their back against the wall, they are able to do that.” (14:40)
  • Bills capitalized on opportunities when it mattered most.

5. Dalton Kincaid’s Breakout Performance

• Receiving & Blocking:
  • Mike: “This is his most impactful game by far. There’s no doubt. I mean, he could have had three touchdowns in the game... He also had a big block on the Shakir touchdown. That’s what they need out of him.” (10:26)
  • Dan: “The evolution of him as a blocker has been impressive to see for me because I just didn’t think he could do it.” (11:15)
  • Jenna: “For me, it’s like, all right, how do you build off of this now? Because you had a really nice game, a really nice showing, but for me...tonight I thought he stepped up.” (12:08)

6. Other Offensive Highlights

• Khalil Shakir & Keon Coleman:
  • Jenna: “It was just a Khalil Shakir game...then to have the touchdown when the Bills needed it...has been talked about as being maybe the Bill’s number one wide receiver.” (17:49)
• James Cook:
  • Mike: “He was so close to two long touchdowns. They just tripped him up twice and I thought he was going to take it to the end zone.” (15:37)
• Josh Allen’s Magic Touch:
  • Dan: “That’s a Mahomes play. And Josh is kind of like, yeah, I can do that. And he did. He waited. Perfect timing.” (13:28)

7. Lingering Concerns

• Pass Rush and Cornerback Play:
  • Mike: “They’re not getting enough pass rush, and I don’t like cornerback 2. It’s tough for him...man coverage for him is an issue right now.” (23:54, 24:13)
• Ed Oliver’s Health:
  • Jenna observed Oliver limping after the game but “no walking boot.” (25:49)
• Complementary Football:
  • Mike: “There is the lack of complimentary football in this game. That’s what Sean’s going to be harping on...” (16:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Third Down Defense:
  • Mike: “They play the train horn. I tweeted that they should just play a siren on third down for the Bills because it was an emergency and you were scared to death.” (03:37)
• On Kincaid’s Game:
  • Dan: “Jenna, you and I have both been critical of Dalton Kincaid and where he is...but this is what I think they envisioned or hoped.” (11:15)
• On Allen’s Backyard Play:
  • Dan: “It’s the big brother playing in the backyard against his little brother and his friends, and it’s just like, I’ll do whatever I want, oh just kidding. Touchdown.” (13:19)
• On Bills’ Moxie:
  • Mike: “Good teams find a way to win.” (08:45)
• On Team’s Evolution:
  • Dan: “They have shown that they can win multiple ways, which is nice. Like, that’s how the Chiefs, the Patriots, have found ways to do it.” (22:38)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 01:21 | Game overview, Bills win 31-21, reaction | | 02:07 | Deep dive into Bills’ third-down defense issues | | 03:16 | Analysis of Tua's impact and pressure problems | | 04:26 | Dolphins’ surprisingly high effort | | 06:00 | Bernard INT, Deion Walker’s crucial pressure | | 09:27 | Discussion of Dolphins' critical mistakes | | 10:26 | Kincaid’s best game and offensive review | | 13:16 | Allen’s “backyard football” magic | | 15:37 | James Cook almost breaks long TDs | | 17:49 | Khalil Shakir’s contribution | | 22:38 | Team evolution, adaptability, turnover streak | | 23:54 | Defensive concerns—pass rush and CB questions | | 25:49 | Concerns about Ed Oliver’s health |

Overall Team Status and Outlook

• Bills are 3-0, showing resilience and an ability to overcome ugly stretches.
• Offense: Far from perfect, yet consistently scores 30+ points; Kincaid and Shakir are emerging.
• Defense: Major concern on third down, inconsistent pass rush, and some health worries.
• Multiple hosts express confidence but note a sense of unfinished progress, particularly on defense and with more challenging opponents ahead.

Final Thoughts

The Buffalo Plus crew acknowledge the night’s “wackiness” and promise more insight as the season progresses. The consensus: the Bills remain a winning team despite flaws, bolstered by opportunistic playmaking and emerging stars, but must address lingering inconsistencies—especially on defense—before facing stiffer competition.

Quotes are attributed and timestamped; key episode sections and flow preserved to inform listeners who may have missed the podcast.