Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: The BILLS leave Baltimore HUMBLED and HUNGRY after getting BLOWOUT by Ravens
Release Date: September 30, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ humbling 25-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens—a rare blowout for this team during the regular season. The Buffalo Plus crew (Mike, Jenna, Dan) provide emotional, on-field analysis about what went so wrong, why it’s not a time to panic, and what must change going forward. The conversation traverses defensive collapses, a costly trick play, personnel absences, playcalling controversies, and questions about the team’s physicality and resilience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. A Rare Regular Season Beatdown

• Historic Margin:
  It had been 43 games since the Bills lost by more than six points in the regular season.
  • “This Bills team doesn’t lose games like this… They lost by 25.” (Mike, 01:12)
• Bills Out-Physicaled:
  The panel repeatedly highlights Baltimore’s physical dominance on both lines of scrimmage.
  • “The Ravens played bully ball… The Bills got a taste of their own medicine.” (Dan, 01:44)
  • “This was a physical beatdown on both lines of scrimmage… The defensive line got pushed around.” (Mike, 02:38; 03:25)

2. Defensive Troubles: Missing Key Players and Scheming Issues

• Absences mattered:
  The loss of Matt Milano, Taron Johnson, and Terrel Bernard was glaring.
  • “You really bleepin’ missed your best three players on defense.” (Dan, 04:37)
• No Answers for Derrick Henry:
  Henry’s 87-yard opening touchdown and nearly 200 rushing yards set the tone.
  • “Defensively, 87 yards for Derrick Henry. Perfectly blocked. No one touched him.” (Mike, 02:38)
• Staggered by Screens & Misreads:
  Defensive inexperience and lack of reaction to screens were exposed.
  • “Screen game killed them. That’s lack of experience in that spot.” (Dan, 07:17)
• Lack of Pass Rush:
  Von Miller, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau were nearly invisible.
  • “Where the hell was Von Miller? Where the hell was Ed Oliver? Where was Greg Russo?” (Dan, 06:00)
  • “Never heard Von’s name the whole time… Rousseau made a few tackles, but there was no real pressure.”* (Mike, 06:39)

3. Offensive Struggles & Trick Play Fall-Out

• The Fatal Trick Play:
  Momentum was building when Joe Brady called a failed trick play—a turning point that ended hope of a comeback and left players furious.
  • “That killed any momentum of a comeback… a trick play that killed any momentum.” (Dan, 00:33; 11:10)
  • “We finally had momentum. That doesn’t feel like the time to go get cute with it.” (Dan, 11:06)
  • “James Cook was livid on the sidelines.” (Dan, 11:06)
• Coach’s Accountability:
  Both head coach Sean McDermott and OC Joe Brady took responsibility postgame.
  • “That’s something Joe and I will discuss at length. And I’m sure he wants that call back. I do as well. And we’ll learn from that moving forward.” (Sean McDermott, 09:01)
  • “I’m not trying to let Joe Brady off the hook because I thought it was a boneheaded play.” (Dan, 10:44)
• Josh Allen’s Response:
  Calm and accountable postgame, Allen acknowledged Baltimore simply beat them.
  • “We ran into a buzz saw tonight that kicked our ass. These games happen… They were ready off the jump and we weren’t. They had urgency. We didn’t.” (Dan, relaying Josh Allen, 12:06)

4. Skill Positions and Separation Problems

• Keon Coleman’s Drop:
  A crucial drop mirrored playoff errors from previous years.
  • “Gotta make that catch. Phenomenal throw… This was an easier catch [than the Diggs drop]. I know he’s a rookie, but you gotta make that play.” (Mike, 13:38)
• No One Getting Open:
  Wide receivers as a unit struggled with separation against physical Ravens coverage.
  • “When Baltimore is attacking and you need separation, there’s nobody getting separation.” (Mike, 14:13)
  • “This ‘everybody eats’ philosophy runs into a speed bump when you need guys to win one-on-one battles. They didn’t have that tonight.” (Dan, 14:13)
  • “They didn’t have speed to get behind people and make a play.” (Mike, 15:03)

5. Decisions, Analytics, and Special Teams

• Fourth Down Choices:
  Some confusion and debate around Sean McDermott’s aggressiveness versus game feel.
  • “That’s where analytics doesn’t always work… The feel of the game was the Bills were getting pushed back every single snap. So why would you just run your head into a brick wall?” (Dan, 15:56)
• Kicker Questions:
  Tyler Bass missed another crucial kick—a growing concern.
  • “You need to make that kick. 46 yards. It really wasn’t close.” (Mike, 17:14)
  • “You don’t want to be sitting there going, ‘Do I trust my kicker?’” (Dan, 18:29)
  • “I’ve lost that feeling we used to have [with Bass].” (Mike, 18:47)

6. Injuries & Moving Forward

• Key Injury Notes:
  • Khalil Shakir finished the game but left in a walking boot.
  • Taylor Rapp, Connor McGovern, and others had injury scares.
  • Updates and effectiveness for the next game are pending.
  • “Khalil Shakir finished the game – toughed it out. Did leave the locker room in a walking boot. Will be something to keep an eye on this week.” (Dan, 20:23)
• No Panic, but Urgency Needed:
  The tone is one of disappointment, but not despair—a recognition of the need to get healthier and more physical.
  • “I’m not leaving Baltimore hitting any sort of panic button. There are things that need to be addressed.” (Dan, 00:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Beatdown:
  • “The Bills got their lunch handed to them.” (Dan, 03:39)
  • “They win primetime games at home… This atmosphere was electric from the start. The Bills did nothing to take that out. The Ravens fed off that.” (Dan, 03:50)
• On Defensive Failings:
  • “They toyed with the Bills defense. Babich got put in a blender tonight. It happens.” (Dan, 07:17)
• On Offense’s Woes:
  • “Who was that [trick play] supposed to fool? I’m looking in the Bills backfield and there is Josh Allen standing there.” (Mike, 11:40)
  • “I thought Dorian Williams could be put on an island. He was. He got burned.” (Dan, 05:45)
• On Kicker Trust:
  • “If I was Tyler Bass, I’d be concerned.” (Mike, 19:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 01:44: Setting the scene; biggest loss in years
• 03:39 – 04:56: Breakdown of being physically overmatched; missing defenders
• 07:17 – 08:06: How the defense got baited by the Ravens’ scheme
• 08:53 – 12:06: Detailed discussion of the failed trick play; reaction from coaches and players
• 13:38 – 15:04: Offense’s issues in separation and playmaking; receiver woes
• 15:13 – 16:35: Fourth down decision debate and run/pass game struggles
• 17:14 – 19:15: Special teams/Kicker crisis
• 20:23 – 21:15: Injury updates and final thoughts on what’s next

Closing Tone

Despite the disappointment and physical drubbing, the hosts remain balanced—acknowledging both the rarity of such a loss and the urgency for better answers. The consensus: It’s not panic time, but the Bills must regroup physically and mentally for a tough upcoming schedule.

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