Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: New teams in TOP 5, old favs in Bottom 5 and MVP competition for Josh Allen
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Mike Catalana (with regular contributors Dan Fetes and Jenna Cottrell)
Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus delves into the biggest stories across the NFL with a distinct Buffalo Bills focus. Mike Catalana reviews his weekly Top 5 and Bottom 5 NFL teams, examines the mounting Bills storylines (particularly rookie Keon Coleman's disciplinary issues), and assesses the current state of the MVP race, with a special eye on Josh Allen's candidacy. Key individual performers at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back positions receive detailed shout-outs, and Mike candidly addresses surprises and disappointments around the league.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Keon Coleman Discipline Saga

• Team Frustration Mounts:
  • Keon Coleman benched for the opening series for the second time due to disciplinary reasons (likely lateness or other team-rule infractions).
  • Mike Catalana:

    "It's the second time he didn't start the game... It's symbolic too. It's taking away playing time and letting him know they're not happy. And they're not happy." (03:00)

• On-field Impact:
  • Despite issues, Coleman still made some highlight plays, scoring a TD and making a jaw-dropping catch.
  • Also criticized for a costly fumble after finally getting on the field.
  • The team expects greater maturity given his draft status and role.
• Bottom Line:
  • Mike emphasizes this must be the last warning, expecting improvement “on and off the field,” referring to football discipline, not personal life.

2. NFL Bottom 5 Teams (Week of Oct. 8, 2025)

• Philosophy:

  • Rankings reflect recent performance, not season-long resume:

    "I like to punish teams when they are bad. Right. Even if it's a really good team." (07:20)

• 5. Baltimore Ravens:

  • "They were an embarrassment this past week... I know Lamar is not out there... but... they've given away leads early. They just haven't been competitive." (08:35)

• 4. Las Vegas Raiders:

  • Have some talent but consistently overwhelmed; don't play like a serious team despite opportunities with division rivals struggling. "They just get boat raced and I don't know if they're a serious football team." (09:40)

• 3. Cincinnati Bengals:

  • Lack of quarterback and poor defense/offensive line. Joe Flacco signing seen as unlikely to move the needle. "Their defense stinks. Offensive line stinks. I think Zach Taylor's gonna get fired." (10:49)
  • Potential suggestion: Joe Brady could be a future Bengals head coach.

• 2. New York Giants:

  • Poor turnovers and missed opportunities despite some defensive flashes. Rookie QB Jackson Dart shows promise but struggles are expected. "The Giants are bad. I don't know where that's going to go." (12:00)

• 1. New York Jets:

  • Sole winless team, plagued by turnovers and an ineffective defense led by Aaron Glenn.
  • Memorable Stat:

    "The first team to start a season 0-5 without forcing a turnover in like, I don't know, a hundred years." (13:19)

  • Mike vows Jets will stay last until they win.

3. NFL Top 5 Teams (Week of Oct. 8, 2025)

• 5. New England Patriots:

  • Recognized solely for their win over the Bills: "Drake Maye outplayed Josh Allen in that game... they were well coached." (15:35)
  • Mike clarifies: This is week-to-week, not declaring them a “top 5” team across the NFL.

• 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

  • 4-1, dynamic offense, Baker Mayfield impressing in clutch moments.
  • "Baker just does it late all the time... Bucks are good... If they straighten out the defense, they could be a contender." (17:00)

• 3. Jacksonville Jaguars:

  • Winning, energetic team, though Mike critiques the QB’s awareness:

    "He trips over his own guy. He doesn't... He's not aware." (18:09)

  • Acknowledges receiver Brian Thomas’s potential.

• 2. Indianapolis Colts:

  • “They keep winning, they keep blowing people out... I think they have the number one point differential in the league.” (20:34)

• 1. Detroit Lions:

  • “They've been the best team and I think they are a dangerous team the whole way through.” (21:30)
  • Eagles, though 4-1, omitted for late-game collapses; Bills notably left out of the Top 5 after a poor showing, despite their record.

4. Josh Allen & The MVP Race

• Allen's Recent Performance:
  • Struggled with turnovers (fumble on a sweep to Dawson Knox, questionable interception).
  • Critique of play-calling and execution:

    “Don't run that play again. It's a dumb call. Sorry, Joe. Do it with one of the fast receivers, not with Dawson Knox.” (23:20)

• Still the Favorite:
  • Despite a shaky week, Allen remains the “betting favorite” for MVP.
• Main QB Competition:
  • Dak Prescott: “There's no quarterback playing better right now than Dak Prescott. He's playing great.” (24:36)
  • Matthew Stafford also highlighted, especially his chemistry with top WR Puka Nacua.

5. Best of the Skill Players

• Wide Receivers:

  • Puka Nacua: “On pace for 2000 yards... 62 targets, 52 catches, over 540 yards.” (26:01)
  • JSN (Seattle): “Probably the most underappreciated, great wide receiver... averaging 15.7 [yards] a game.”
  • Justin Jefferson (Vikings): Producing even with erratic QB play.
  • Emeka Egbuka (Tampa): Emerges as another rookie instant-impact player.

• Running Backs:

  • Jonathan Taylor (Colts): “He's playing great... averaging 96 yards a game.”
  • James Cook (Bills): “Right now I'd say he's two [in the league]... Cook's averaging 90.” (28:00)
    • Bills faulted for not giving Cook enough touches.
  • Other notables: Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne (bounce-back year), Kyren Williams.
  • Disappointments: Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley – both struggling with production, possibly due to wear and offensive line play.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Keon Coleman’s repeated discipline:

  "When the head coach has to discipline you in that way, that should be the first time, should have been the real wake up call. The fact that it happened again is bad." (04:17)

• On the New York Jets’ futility:

  “Congratulations, New York Jets. And I'll say this really, and I shouldn't say it, but until they win, they're going to stay number one, right?” (13:52)

• On praised Patriots win:

  "Hard to believe, but Drake Maye outplayed Josh Allen in that game... in that atmosphere and beat the Bills was impressive." (15:45)

• On the Lions as the new #1:

  “I have the Lions, number one. Feel free to comment. That's what we're doing here on the league, so go ahead and do that.” (21:55)

• On skill-position stardom:

  “Puka’s on pace for 2,000 yards. He’s been phenomenal.” (25:55)

• Josh Allen MVP Watch:

  “He's still, according to most of the books, the favorite, the betting favorite to win MVP again. And he could do it.” (22:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|------------| | Keon Coleman Discipline & Frustration | 03:00–06:30| | NFL Bottom 5 Teams | 07:17–13:52| | NFL Top 5 Teams | 15:00–21:55| | Josh Allen’s MVP Race | 22:30–24:45| | Top QBs, WRs, and RBs | 24:55–29:45|

Tone, Style, and Engagement

Mike Catalana’s delivery remains candid, analytical, and at times irreverent ("I'm drinking out of my own mug about that," referring to the Bengals). He’s quick to call out disappointments (including his own Top 5/Bottom 5 selections), and pushes listeners to react—setting up lively comment section debates regarding the Bills, Patriots, and MVP frontrunners.

Summary

• Coleman discipline signals early-career crossroads—needs to grow up fast or risk more severe consequences.
• New names emerge in both Top 5 and Bottom 5 monthly, with the Lions and Colts representing the NFL's “surge teams” and the Jets mired in historical futility.
• Despite a shaky week, Josh Allen leads the MVP race, but Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield are mounting serious challenges.
• James Cook and Puka Nacua are among the league’s transformative young skill position players.
• Bills tumble out of the Top 5 after a poor showing, with the Patriots celebrated—grudgingly—for their recent upset.

For Bills and league fans alike, it’s a must-listen episode for context, candid analysis, and a look at how quickly NFL fortunes can turn.