Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode: The BILLS Division DOMINATION, Josh Allen’s MVP CASE and JOE BRADY'S next MOVE
Date: December 20, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode of the Buffalo Plus podcast brings together Mike, Jenna, and Dan for a lively, in-depth roundtable on the Buffalo Bills' recent surge in the AFC East, Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber play, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s rising star—including speculation about his potential as an NFL head coach. The crew breaks down leadership dynamics, offensive evolution, coaching credits, injury updates, and the Bills' continued rivalry with New England, mixing in locker room insights, listener questions, and playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills’ Vibes & Locker Room Mindset

• Confidence and Focus: The Bills are playing their best football, and the locker room vibe is “very high” (01:29). Despite success, there’s a shared belief the team hasn’t reached its full “championship level” and must stay disciplined.

• Deion Dawkins’ “Boring Things” Philosophy: Cites Deion’s advice about “doing the boring things over and over again, that's what champions do” (02:42).

  • Quote – Dan Fetes: “It’s like a basketball player doing free throws… not the fun stuff, but it gets you to where you want to go.” (02:58)

• Impact of Early Season Losses: The Rams loss “left a scar” and became a needed reset for recalibrating focus and humility (04:43).

• National Media Frustration: The hosts joke about being annoyed that national media suddenly recognizes Josh Allen's greatness—Buffalo insiders have “been talking about this for years.”

  • Quote – Jenna Cottrell: “It’s kind of weird to me that when I turn on national media and they're talking about the Bills, I get a little bit annoyed because I'm like, no, no, no, no. We. We've been talking about this for years.” (00:01; again at 43:36)

2. Josh Allen’s Leadership & MVP Play

• Joy & Composure: Allen’s positive attitude is infectious, keeping “great vibes” throughout the building even after losses.

  • Quote – Mike Catalana: “Everybody in that building feeds off of Josh Allen. The veterans to the young guys. They look at 17, they go, dude is smiling, he's happy.” (07:04)

• Leader in the Locker Room:

  • Josh is compared to “Derek Jeter” — the clear alpha, setting the tone for all others (08:56).

• Statistics & Growth:

  • 10 total touchdowns and 800+ yards in the last two games, with no sacks, no turnovers, and just one negative play (10:12).
  • Hosts agree he’s not just producing MVP stats but playing at a higher intellectual and leadership level than previous seasons: “He's a better football player now. Better leader, better at everything.” (10:48)

• The Butcher vs The Surgeon:

  • Dan shares Trent Dilfer’s QB analogy: Allen has evolved from a “butcher”—flashy, risk-taking—to a “surgeon”—methodical, composed, and precise (11:19).
    • Quote – Dan Fetes: “Now it's watch this. Like it. It's methodical. There's a calmness, there's a composure that I haven't seen from Josh before.” (12:14)

• Decision Making:

  • Allen’s “mind is now on par with his physical ability.” He’s not just avoiding turnovers but isn’t “even putting the ball in harm's way” (13:53).

• Supporting Cast Stepping Up:

  • Ty Johnson led in receiving vs. Detroit, despite being a backup RB, highlighting Allen’s ability to get the most from a “hodgepodge” supporting cast (15:17).

3. Joe Brady’s Impact & Future

• Credit & Debate:

  • Some fans say “Brady would be nothing without Josh,” but the hosts assert it’s a true partnership (16:51).
    • Quote – Mike Catalana: “[Brady] has put Josh Allen in a great space… the perfect marriage of it.” (17:43)
  • Joe Brady has “done a fantastic job” giving Allen quick, pre-snap answers and blending run/pass schemes (16:07).

• Head Coach Candidacy:

  • Debate over whether Brady should jump for a head coaching job or remain in Buffalo given the “unicorn” opportunity to coach Allen (21:01).
  • Discussion of how NFL hiring trends have shifted toward “CEO” head coaches, not just play-callers; fit and situation matter more than ever (23:57).
  • Quote – Jenna Cottrell: “If I were Joe Brady, I would be judicious about where I go because look at Brian Dable… You go to New York, you have a great first season and then look at the tire fire that is the Giants…” (27:07)

• Coaching Continuity:

  • Even if Brady leaves, there’s optimism that Allen’s current level and culture could minimize disruption (30:13).

4. Coaching, Playcalling & Scheme Evolution

• Collaboration Culture:
  • Praise for the “partnership” between Allen, Brady, and the offensive staff, and how quickly Allen has adapted to system tweaks (16:41).
• Role of O-Line & Other Coaches:
  • Recognition for Aaron Kromer and the offensive line: no sacks allowed in recent weeks, giving Allen critical time (19:59).

5. Injury Updates & Depth Management

[32:06–35:42]

• Injury Report: Rasool, Demar, Matt Milano, Taylor Rapp, Curtis Samuel, Baylon Spector, and Dorian Williams all limited in practice but participated.
• Micah Hyde’s Return:
  • Hosts expect Hyde could be activated and possibly get action this week; importance of testing his readiness for the playoffs (34:00).

6. Patriots Rivalry & Division Dominance

[35:42–38:44]

• Power Flip:

  • Reflection on how the Bills have assumed the role of perennial AFC East powerhouse, compared to long Patriots’ dominance (35:58).
    • Quote – Dan Fetes: “For the longest time, Tom Brady had the second most wins in Orchard Park. Like, that was the level of dominance…” (35:42)
  • Importance of clinching division titles and the boost of playing home playoff games (36:45).

• Division Landscape:

  • Dolphins, Patriots, Jets all in states of transition. Bills positioned for multi-year control (37:41).

7. Drake Maye, Young QBs, and “The Josh Allen Effect”

[38:26–43:55]

• QB Environment:
  • Patriots rookie Drake Maye has limited support—“no protection, no playmakers, no playcaller” (39:15).
• Unrealistic Comparisons:
  • The NFL’s tendency to link every big, athletic, strong-armed QB prospect to Josh Allen is critiqued.
  • Quote – Dan Fetes: “I think Josh Allen has like ruined the draft process… for any quarterback that is 6 foot 4 and can move, everybody will make the comparison of he's got some Josh Allen in him. There's not any other Josh Allen's.” (40:55)

8. Game Predictions & Defensive Bounce Back

• Predictions: All three hosts pick the Bills to dominate the Patriots, citing Allen’s form and the defense's motivation after back-to-back high-scoring games allowed.

  • Scores: 34–17 (both Jenna and Dan), 34–14 (Mike) (51:28–52:31)

• Defense Focus:

  • Despite giving up 40+ points in the last two games, the defense showed flashes of dominance, especially against Detroit’s O-line (47:06).
  • Special credit to Ed Oliver for his “whooping another man” effort and the team for early offensive/defensive stops (47:50).

9. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Trent Dilfer QB Analogy:
  • Dan Fetes, 11:19 – “For a long time, Josh was the butcher… Now he’s a surgeon… There’s a calmness and composure I haven’t seen.”
• Media Recognition Frustration:
  • Jenna Cottrell, 43:36 – “I get a little bit annoyed because… we've been talking about this for years.”
• Patriots Pain:
  • Dan Fetes, 35:42 – “For the longest time, Tom Brady had the second most wins in Orchard Park.”

10. “Credit to Me” Segment & Team Banter

[53:12–62:26]

• Recreational Sports Rant:
  • Jenna and Dan swapping stories about “overly serious” gym class heroes in rec leagues (54:10).
• Accountability & Trust Tree:
  • Mike retells his “losing the credential” saga, and the three joke about near-misses, teamwork, and honesty under pressure.
• Personal Updates:
  • Dan offers heartfelt thanks to his family and the podcast crew for support during his time away, calling life with three daughters “beautiful chaos” (61:33).
• Shout-outs:
  • Listener and fan shout-outs cap the episode.

Notable Timestamps

• 00:01 – Opening banter, media frustration over late Bills recognition
• 01:29 – Current Bills team spirit and focus
• 02:42 – Deion Dawkins’ championship mindset
• 07:04 – Allen’s locker room influence and happiness
• 08:56 – Josh Allen as Derek Jeter of the Bills
• 11:19 – Butcher vs. Surgeon QB analogy
• 15:17 – “Hodgepodge” offenses, Ty Johnson’s emergence
• 16:41 – Joe Brady’s credit, playcalling partnership
• 21:01 – Joe Brady’s HC prospects, risks and rewards
• 23:57 – NFL head coach hiring trend changes
• 30:13 – Even without Brady, Allen ensures stability
• 34:00 – Micah Hyde’s potential return
• 35:42 – End of Patriots’ dominance; Bills’ rise
• 40:55 – “Josh Allen effect” on draft prospects
• 51:28 – Game score predictions (Bills sweep)
• 54:10 – Credit to Me: Rec league competitiveness
• 61:33 – Dan’s family update and gratitude

Episode Tone and Language

• Camaraderie & Playfulness: The episode is conversational and light-hearted, peppered with inside jokes and laughter, even while tackling substantial football analysis.
• Candid & Local: The hosts wear their Buffalonian perspective proudly, mixing personal anecdotes, pop culture references, and direct locker room observations.
• Informed & Reflective: Years of covering the team allow for nuanced debates about culture change, coaching trends, and league-wide narratives.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away with a clear sense of why the Bills are considered not just AFC contenders but Super Bowl favorites right now—thanks largely to Josh Allen’s evolution as player and leader, Joe Brady’s scheming, and a tough, honest team culture. The hosts chart the journey through recent adversity, critique the vagaries of NFL coaching opportunities, dive deep into why the Bills’ fate is now tied to Allen’s MVP-level play, and share relatable, irreverent stories, making this an essential wrap-up for any engaged Bills fan.