Buffalo Plus Podcast: "PRESSURE on Josh Allen and BILLS, plus HISTORY vs Jags"

Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Mike Catalana (with regular co-hosts Jenna Cottrell and Dan Fetes off this episode)

Overview

In this episode, Mike Catalana provides a comprehensive solo breakdown as the Buffalo Bills head into the playoffs to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The main themes are the heightened pressure on Josh Allen and the organization, the difference between “reasons” and “excuses” for past playoff stumbles, and a colorful look back at the Bills' often fraught postseason history against Jacksonville. The episode balances thoughtful analysis with storytelling and a conversational tone, giving Bills fans both context and honest expectations.

Key Discussion Points

1. Playoff Pressure: “Reasons, Not Excuses” for Josh Allen and the Bills

[09:10] - [16:55]

• The national narrative claims Josh Allen has “no excuses”—that unlike in past years, everything is set for him to reach the Super Bowl.
• Mike pushes back, arguing that criticism is overblown, given Buffalo’s circumstances as a 6-seed.
  • “There is no excuses for Josh Allen. Josh Allen has been good enough to be in the Super Bowl. There have been reasons this team hasn’t made it. Some are Patrick Mahomes, right? The Chiefs were just better, or made bigger plays in the moment…” (Mike, 12:44)
• Differentiates “excuses” from “reasons”—the latter being real football issues like roster, injuries, or missed plays, not cop-outs.
  • “Put that on a coffee mug: Reasons, not excuses. Because I believe in that.” (Mike, 16:30)
• Bills “earned” the wild card spot by not being good enough in their division, referencing costly losses to the Patriots and Dolphins.
  • The pressure is high, but expectations should be realistic given the playoff seeding and season context.

2. The AFC Playoff Picture: Tough Road Ahead

[16:56] - [23:10]

• Mike reviews potential playoff matchups and the strengths of various teams:
  • Broncos as a strong 1-seed, but with little playoff experience.
  • Texans possess the best defense; might actually be better than the Ravens or Bengals this year.
• “It’s not like the league kept [the Ravens and Bengals] out. Burrow’s always hurt, their defense stinks. The Ravens blow big leads all the time. And the Chiefs just ran out of gas.” (Mike, 14:45)
• The pathway to a Super Bowl for Buffalo isn’t any easier because other star QBs are out. The AFC is still tough and unpredictable.

3. Bills vs. Jaguars: A Troubled History

[17:00] - [33:15]

• Mike takes listeners through a thorough—and sometimes painful—history of the Bills’ matchups with Jacksonville in big games:
  • 1996 Playoff Game: Jags beat Bills in Orchard Park, ending Jim Kelly’s career.
  • 2017 Playoff Return: After a 17-year drought, Buffalo’s offense falls flat in Jacksonville. Tyrod Taylor injured late; Peterman’s interception ends the comeback.
    • “It was the excitement of being there at the way they broke the drought. Kyle Williams getting to finally play in a playoff game—it was great. Leading up to it, game was kind of a dud.” (Mike, 23:03)
  • Wild regular-season games (Flutie Bootleg in 1998, close wins/losses in the 2000s, Fitzpatrick’s 98-yard TD pass, ugly London games, and more recent heartbreakers).
  • Last season: Bills blew out the Jags, but Mike warns this is a “much, much better” Jaguars team.
  • Colorful aside about seeing Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld after a London game, providing a “TMZ” moment. (31:55)

4. Current Team Storylines & Concerns

[33:16] - [40:30]

• Injury impact: Loss of Max Hairston at corner is a significant concern versus the Jags' sudden speed.
  • Revisits coach Sean McDermott’s remarks about perhaps using a non-defensive player at corner given depth issues.
• Notes that wild cards have real upset potential; this is a “wide open” playoff field.
  • “I think all six wild cards can win, and I don’t think it would be crazy. There’s got to be a place to bet for that, right?” (Mike, 39:00)
• Highlights the vulnerability of both 1-seeds (Denver in the AFC; Seattle in the NFC).
• Restates: Pressure is high on Allen, McDermott, Bean, and the entire org—but a Super Bowl run from the 6-seed would be a true accomplishment, not an expectation.

5. Future Podcast Features and Offseason Content

[03:00] - [08:25]

• Announcement: The Buffalo Plus crew will begin a “Life Advice” segment for off-field questions—podcast listeners can email real-life scenarios for advice with varying perspectives from Mike, Dan, and Jenna.
  • “When you have something, right, and we all have this, where you’re like, what was I supposed to do? … Ask Buffalo Plus. So that is coming really soon. I think it'll be kind of fun.” (Mike, 07:20)
• Reassures listeners that Buffalo Plus will maintain coverage and content in the offseason.

6. Upcoming Coverage

[41:00] - End

• Mike outlines the media plans: live podcast and TV show coverage from Jacksonville throughout playoff weekend.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pressure and Narrative:
  • “I don't like the term excuses at all... We are not talking about excuses. We're talking about reasons. They are different things. I guess sometimes they could be the same. But there is no excuses for Josh Allen.” (12:20)
  • “Reasons, not excuses. Put that on a coffee mug. Because I believe in that.” (16:30)
• On Bills-Jags Playoff History:
  • “The national narrative on Josh Allen is no excuses. They're in it. The big quarterbacks aren't? No excuses for Josh Allen. I call bullshit on that theory.” (11:35)
• On 2017 Playoff Game:
  • “Game was kind of a dud. Bill's defense played well. They gave up a fourth down touchdown to some guy who never caught a pass before. And they just couldn't get it in the end zone.” (24:18)
  • “Tyrod got hit, slammed to the turf, got a concussion. Nate Peterman came out, converted on a fourth down and then threw a pick to Jalen Ramsey who made a great play on it. And that ended the game.” (25:45)
• On Wild Card Chaos:
  • “I think all six wild cards can win, and I don’t think it would be crazy. There’s got to be a place to bet for that.” (39:00)
• Mike’s “TMZ Moment”:
  • “That’s the first time I saw Mrs. Josh Allen in person. She and Josh were walking out... Jenna and I just sort of moved along, let them go... There’s my TMZ moment. Entertainment Tonight for you.” (31:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [09:10] — “Reasons, not Excuses” for Josh Allen Narrative
• [16:55] — AFC Playoff Picture Overview
• [17:00] — Bills-Jags History Deep Dive
• [31:55] — TMZ Moment: Mike and Jenna spot Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld
• [33:15] — Team Injuries, Max Hairston, and Playoff Depth
• [39:00] — Wild Card Predictions; Both 1-Seeds Are Vulnerable
• [03:00] — “Life Advice” Segment Announcement

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Mike Catalana strikes a balance between the urgency and hope of the playoffs, the realities of the Bills’ position, and the perspective of a long-time observer. He is candid about the team’s flaws, brings humor and humility, and pushes listeners to separate hype from reality. The episode reflects the Buffalo Plus brand: insightful, a little self-deprecating, always focused on the Bills.

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