The Bills RALLY behind JOSH ALLEN & CHRISTIAN BENFORD to BEAT the BENGALS

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: The Bills RALLY behind JOSH ALLEN & CHRISTIAN BENFORD to BEAT the BENGALS
Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

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Episode Overview

This episode breaks down the Buffalo Bills’ wild 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, a crucial late-season victory that bolstered their playoff position. The hosts delve into Josh Allen’s heroics, key defensive moments (especially from Christian Benford), the effects of snowy Buffalo weather, questionable defensive sequences, aggressive coaching from Sean McDermott, and the overall team psyche as the Bills improve to 9-4. The discussion blends game analysis, locker room insights, and personal reactions.

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Key Discussion Points

1. The Win’s Significance & Playoff Picture

• This win moves the Bills to 9-4, keeping them alive in both the wild card and division title races.

  “Massive win for this team.” (Jenna, 00:55)

• The loss puts the Bengals at nine losses, severely impacting their playoff hopes.
• Mike points out how necessary these gritty wins are for postseason confidence.

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2. Josh Allen’s Superstar Performance & Leadership

• Allen's big throws, especially on critical fourth downs, drew rave reviews:
  • Play Breakdown:
    “He is running to his right. He is out of time. ... And he throws a seed, A bullet, A line drive pass to Shakir, who turns around just at the right time.” (Dan, 03:19)
  • “The ball caught Shakir!” (Mike, 03:31)
• Allen led comebacks from two-score deficits and converted on a third and 15, showcasing his clutch play:
  • “I'll just take care of that.” (Mike, 05:26)
• His emotional play and visible engagement with the crowd stood out:
  • “That was the MVP after the game. Like him motioning to the crowd. We don't always really see that.” (Jenna, 05:56)
  • “After that third down run, you start to see him firing up the crowd ... Josh doesn't engage in social media, but that man knows everything ... and to see that emotion is like, hey, I'll do it.” (Mike, 18:28)

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3. Defensive Highs and Lows: Christian Benford & Key Plays

• Bills’ defense made few stops, but each was monumental—highlighting Benford’s emergence:
  • “The Bills only got like three or four stops. That's all you need when you have Josh doing that kind of stuff.” (Mike, 01:29)
  • “Christian Benford had a hell of a game.” (Jenna, 07:30)
  • Recap of Benford’s recent production:
    “Last six quarters, he's had an interception, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and another interception for a touchdown.” (Dan, 07:39)
• Benford’s humility about his technique:

  Christian Benford (on his pick-6):
  “I actually didn't do my technique right, if we're being honest. ... I wasn't supposed to jump. Like, the technique is don't leave your feet. I don't know. God just gave me something for me to leave my feet ... then the rest was history.” (Benford, 09:32–10:03)

• Effective use of corner blitzes and defensive backs as pass rushers:
  • “Bill's best pass rush isn't from their defensive line. It is from their secondary.” (Mike, 07:08)

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4. Snowy Buffalo: Weather’s Impact

• The classic Buffalo snowstorm influenced the passing and running games:
  • “It was a difficult field surface ... just that slick. It's not like crazy snow.” (Mike, 06:33)
  • “Sticky snow ... gets under there.” (Jenna & Mike, 06:34–06:38)
• O-linemen struggled with footing, making the passing game more crucial.

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5. Offensive Weapons Beyond Wide Receivers

• Tight ends and running backs played vital roles, exposing a Bengals weakness:
  • “They did it with Dawson, Knox, Dalton, Kincaid and James Cook.” (Jenna, 04:13)
  • “Dawson Knox looked like Travis Kelce.” (Dan, 11:43)
  • “He looked like he's worth all of that money.” (Mike, 11:48)
• The team capitalized on pass interference calls and tight end matchups.

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6. Sean McDermott’s Aggression & Coaching

• The coaches’ bold calls (e.g., going for it on 4th down) paid off:
  • “Aggressive. Aggressive.” (Jenna, 03:57)
  • “Sean said that was his wrestling background.” (Mike, 03:59)
• McDermott’s emotional sideline reaction was noted:
  • “I had never seen him so excited ... jumping up and down like a little kid.” (Mike, 14:36)

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7. Third Down Defense: A Persistent Issue

• Bills continue to struggle on third down, often yielding big gains:
  • “They put themselves in a good spot for the third ... and then ... the Bengals are in historically bad defense and they gave up some third downs and fourth downs.” (Dan, 21:42)
  • “I'm just like they're like all pro on first and second down and then it doesn't ... First Bengals on third.” (Jenna & Mike, 21:26–21:33)

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8. Unique Stadium Atmosphere & Historical Context

• The hosts reflect on the emotions and history of the current stadium, with a new venue on the way:

  Sean McDermott:
  “You think about all the different people who have sat in those seats over the years. Some seats I'm sure have stayed in the family ... and moments they've enjoyed together ... It's just special to be a part of it. ... Let's not rush to get over there. I think it's special to be here and enjoy these last few moments that we all have together in here.” (Sean McDermott, 23:41–24:43)

• “Snow globe esque winter wonderland ... this is football weather.” (Mike, 22:46)

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9. Other Noteworthy Moments & Player Notes

• James Cook fumbled at the goal line; the odd NFL challenge rule confused the crew (13:14–13:48).
• The panel noted the state of the safety rotation (Cole Bishop with cramps; 24:50).
• Discussion of next week’s pivotal game in New England, where the Patriots could clinch the division at home.
  • “You do not want them to clinch the division title and take it away from you on their home stadium.” (Dan, 25:19)
• Recognition that this was a “Sean McDermott game”—winning with aggression, timely defense, and grit.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Allen’s Game-Changing Plays:
  • “Only Josh wants to create a bigger margin of difficulty.” (Dan, 05:10)
• On Benford’s Leadership:
  • “He’s kind of become, in my opinion ... his play and his leadership [are] like the Hyde and Poyer that we used to see.” (Mike, 08:51)
• On Stadium Magic:
  • “There’s still magic in this place.” (Jenna, 23:18)
  • “Let's not rush to get over there. I think it's special to be here and enjoy these last few moments.” (Sean McDermott, 24:33)
• On Fan Support:
  • “You cannot leave this building when 17 [Josh Allen] is on the field unless it’s over over. ... he sees you leaving.” (Dan, 18:55)
• On Tight Ends' Dominance:
  • “Dawson Knox looked like Travis Kelce.” (Dan, 11:43)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Season Impact: 00:22 – 01:29
• Allen’s 4th-Down TD to Shakir: 03:01 – 03:49
• Defensive Heroics/Lack of Stops: 01:29 – 02:39; 07:00 – 07:39
• Christian Benford Interview/Insight: 09:29 – 10:03
• Knox & Tight Ends Discussion: 11:43 – 11:57
• Goal-Line Fumble/Challenge Rule: 12:50 – 13:52
• McDermott & Stadium History: 23:41 – 24:43

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Final Thoughts

The hosts agree this was one of the most fun, memorable games of the season, with Allen’s brilliance and Benford’s emergence making the difference. They also address ongoing areas of concern—third-down defense, ball security, and the ability to run in adverse weather. Attention turns quickly to a huge upcoming clash in New England, with major playoff implications.

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For more detailed post-game content, head to BuffaloPlus.com or the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel.

Transcript

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was awesome.

[Mike Catalana]

This Bills team has their flaws. They also have Josh Allen.

[Dan Fates]

The defense only made two plays but they were really big.

[Mike Catalana]

This is the Buffalo Podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe and share. What a win this is gonna be. This is going to be a fun podcast. The Bills beating the Bengals 3934 in a roller coaster of a game. We're going to get into the defense, Josh Allen, the aggressive calls by Sean McDermott, what this means. But first we need to start with. The Bills are now nine and four on the season. This was a massive win over another AFC team in terms of the playoffs. Mike, where is this team at right now?

[Dan Fates]

Well, let's start with a wise man said, don't worry about the Bengals in the playoffs.

[Mike Catalana]

We don't have to worry about the Bengals now.

[Dan Fates]

They're not eliminated yet. But this went a long way. They will have a losing record now. That's nine losses.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Look, that's crazy.

[Dan Fates]

You don't really want to see Joe Burrow. He is very good until the Bills decided maybe we're going to take the ball away from him but for the Bills sake to get to that ninth win. Hey, they're still alive for the division title. They go to Foxborough next week. You never know what could happen to keep it going. Like you said, massive win for this team.

[Mike Catalana]

Again, like I kind of said in the open, this team has their flaws and at times their flaws seem to be too much to overcome in some of these games. And then there's games like this when you have Josh Allen and that's all at times you really need. And some key defensive plays, which is exactly what they got. Jordan Phillips with the tip that led to the Epanessa interception and obviously the Christian Benford play. The Bills only got like three or four stops. That's all you need when you have Josh doing that kind of stuff. And it wasn't. Again, it wasn't an easy game, but it felt more like a playoff game. Dawson Knox I thought was really good in this game. The Bengals refused to cover tight ends. That just must be an organizational thing this year. They just refused to. Awesome game from Dawson Knox and it was cool to see this game. And we're looking at the big picture. They didn't run it well. I think those conditions, it was harder than it was harder to run the ball. The offensive line had trouble getting footing and getting a push. But to be able to throw the ball and For Josh to use his legs. I'm trying to think of like the months. It's like when you get to December, it's like Josh just comes out like, this is it. I'm going to do it all. And it was awesome to see.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We talked this week about how just important wins are for this team in collecting as many wins as possible tonight. They make a statement here against the Bengals and you mentioned just the defense and the offense and how it looked. But Josh Allen, I, I, we talk so much about him on this channel, but some of the plays that he is able to make are just absurd.

[Dan Fates]

Let's talk about the touchdown. The first.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Which one?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, the one to Khalil shakir. He's on fourth down again, you mentioned Sean McDermott saying, we're going to go for it on fourth down. I mean, I think that was a smart play. So they go for it on fourth down. He is running to his right. He is out of time. He's out of time. And by the way, no one was open.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No one.

[Dan Fates]

And he throws a seed, A bullet, A line drive pass to Shakir, who turns around just at the right time.

[Mike Catalana]

The ball caught Shakir.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was going to say we were. Oh, I pointed. Oh, so early too, but we were up in the press box and, and I was like, I, I didn't think Shakir was going to get his head around or around. Like, it just seemed like it was such a dart that it was like, I don't know if Shakir is going to be there, makes the touchdown catch. But plays like that, that started the game.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I mean, that was incredible. That got him in it. And they had the penalty, rightfully took the two point conversion try. And then they make that play.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Aggressive. Aggressive.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Sean said that was his wrestling background.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Very happy. Sean, after this game.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, it was really cool to see again, the offense feel like it was unlocked a little bit. It's still not with wide receivers.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. I was just gonna say they did.

[Mike Catalana]

It without wide receivers.

[Jenna Cottrell]

They did it with Dawson, Knox, Dalton, Kincaid and James Cook.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. And I said, I can't remember which game it was. It was. Maybe it was the Carolina game where we were like, is it enough to have a passing attack? Just be your tight ends and running backs and sometimes it works, sometimes it's not going to. The big picture for me is I'm sitting there when they're down 8, when they're down 10 with 8 minutes to go, and it's like this team just isn't. Isn't that Great. Like, they're just not able to overcome some of these flaws. And not only that, it's. The offense is so good. We've talked about when they're ahead and it's getting fast starts and you're going. They don't have the. They don't got the horses to come back in this race. And against that offense, they did. That was a big. And again, Benford's a part of it. Yes, a part of it. But to still. And again on third and 15 to convert that for Josh, because I'm sitting there going, you're gonna have to protect Hail Mary against T. Higgins. That's not gonna be fun. And Josh says, don't worry about it, by the way.

[Dan Fates]

Only Josh wants to create a bigger margin of difficulty. Right. Degree of difficulty by. They end up throwing. And I did not disagree with them. Trying to throw the ball. And then he gets sacked and it's third and 15. And then he's like, I'll just.

[Mike Catalana]

I'll just take care of that. The emotion we're seeing out of Josh these last two weeks.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

You know, not to say this year hasn't been low positive by any means, but it's just been a more mellow. You saw it in Pittsburgh after the rushing touchdown. That emotion come out of him. He did it in the Tampa Bay game after the sixth touchdown that he had. You're starting to see. It's like, that is starting to carry this team. It's just. It's exciting to see again. I'm sure you are watching going, that was. That was sweet.

[Dan Fates]

That was the mvp.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. That was the MVP after the game. Like him motioning to the crowd. We don't always really see that. So to see that emotion, we. We can mention the weather, too, because I do feel like in this game, before the game even started, with the snow falling, we're like, this feels like the Bills Bengals playoff game from a couple years ago.

[Dan Fates]

And you mentioned the weather. And that's why I want to ask Dan, you're sort of saying it. I would notice certain times. I was watching Khalil Shakir try to run a route one time. I just didn't think they had the footing. And I know. We know Ty Johnson fell. And then I think he went in and changed his cleats. I think it's a difficult field surface to try to figure out. It's just that slick. It's not like crazy snow.

[Mike Catalana]

Well. And it sticks.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's sticky snow, too.

[Mike Catalana]

It sticks to your cleats.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It gets under there.

[Mike Catalana]

Even on the sidelines, like, all that stuff was a part of it. I'm not going to make that as an excuse for the pass rush.

[Dan Fates]

I know. I know.

[Mike Catalana]

Great tackle, though. In the run. He had a.

[Dan Fates]

He had a.

[Mike Catalana]

He had a nice tackle.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Christian Benford is closing in on as many sacks.

[Mike Catalana]

Benford's got two in touchdowns. Amongst wide receivers, yes.

The best pass rusher.

[Dan Fates]

And he's the second catcher. Well, no, the other one was a fumble. But it's cool for Benford. He has his two touchdowns in the last two weeks.

[Mike Catalana]

Bill's best pass rush isn't from their defensive line. It is from their secondary.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Whoo.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Credit to them for realizing, I would say this. The corner blitzes were very effective. They got a sack. They got an interception for a touchdown, and Taron Johnson got in, and he ended up throwing the ball away, so, yay, we got that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Christian Bedford had a hell of a game.

[Dan Fates]

This is how you become an all Pro.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

You gotta put up numbers. You gotta make big plays. And in the last two games.

[Mike Catalana]

Well.

[Dan Fates]

Really? Yeah. Yeah. Last six quarters, he's had an interception, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and another interception for a touchdown.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And a. And a big. The sack was huge, too. I mean, I know that's not quite.

[Mike Catalana]

The same, but it's really big to take out Chase. Not take out Chase, because Chase still is going to get his. But Trey White and Max Harrison had some rough moments, and T. Higgins is enormous.

[Dan Fates]

That man should not have been on the field.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He should not.

[Dan Fates]

There is no doubt in my mind. I don't know how he did not get put in protocol. He had a concussion last week. He gets injured, he leaves, then he gets hurt again, then he leaves again. And they kept pulling him out on the field.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's scary to see.

[Dan Fates]

Now, I know he obviously passed the protocol. He got back out there, but I guess you would say it's tough, but. I don't know. But I mean. And look, sometimes it's a bad looking hit and the player comes out. The man just came out of protocol. He just had a concussion, so.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, let's.

[Dan Fates]

But he's a hell of a player.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Let's get back to Christian Benford, though. Obviously, this last offseason gets the contract. And I think earlier on in the year, we were kind of like, all right, Christian, like, you got the money? Like, where's the play? How have you seen him really evolve in these last couple of weeks?

[Dan Fates]

Leader.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, like, that's. That's the big thing is you start to Talk about these guys. When you talk to other guys about and you hear, what did Shaq say today? He's a silent assassin. The way that he studies and all of these things. And he's just. He's kind of become, in my opinion, not as much vocally, but his play and his leadership, like the Hyde and Poyer that we used to see. And those guys kind of leading the way, taking responsibility and kind of stepping up in those big moments.

[Dan Fates]

He doesn't talk a lot. He's talked a little bit more. When I say talk, I'm talking about talking to us. But I loved his description of the interception and the touchdown. Take a listen.

[Christian Benford]

I was trying to do my technique.

I actually didn't do my technique right, if we're being honest.

I was peeping and then he said, go. He hiked it and I went for a blitz. I low key was expecting run, so I was expecting to tackle. But I saw him like crank back look for like the now throw. And I wasn't supposed to jump. Like, the technique is don't leave your feet. I don't know. God just gave me something for me to leave my feet. You know what I'm saying? I'm sorry, but. And then the rest was history, so.

[Dan Fates]

Said his technique was off, but it worked out pretty well.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I was just Chase at the end. Oh, shit. Yeah, I thought it was just lineman. He's like, I was running 70%.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, shit. And there's Chase coming after him, but he got to the end zone. So what a play. And then Jordan Phillips, he makes some.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Big plays and big moments for this team.

[Mike Catalana]

Shout out, Brother Bill. I know you're watching. Yeah, that's your boy. Sean said that he smiles every time he sees him. And all I could think of was brother Bill in my head. Yeah, going same, same.

[Dan Fates]

And AJ Epanessa around the football, there's always something. With AJ there's some kind of play. So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And think about it. We weren't even sure if he was going to be out there with the foot injury that kind of popped up for him to make the interception. That was also another big.

[Dan Fates]

Then they go down the field, right? And it's third down. And Josh runs and runs, throws one to Dawson. Knox looks like it's a touchdown. No ball comes out. So it's fourth down. And I asked Josh about it.

[Mike Catalana]

Dawson.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, it was Dawson.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, Dawson in the corner. Yeah, he came off the field. Like the way that he was running to the sidelines, I was like, he don't think he caught It.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. So I asked Josh because I talked to Josh Allen sick. And he was like, no, there was no discussion. Like, we thought it was a touchdown. And then they announced it. We went right back out there and then he makes another play to the tight ends. Jackson Hawes, it's like if you have ever played tight end, they could have brought Butch Roll back in. That's an old bass player who did nothing but catch touchdowns. He would have caught passes in this game.

[Mike Catalana]

Jay Reimersma.

[Dan Fates]

Very good.

[Mike Catalana]

How about that for you?

[Dan Fates]

Well done. Pete Metzilars. Let's talk about all the Tigers. Well, no, maybe that one we were talking about. Yeah, so they did. You know, it's funny, people were saying, wow, the Bengals are bad against the title tight ends. There's a reason the numbers are true.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Dawson Knox looked like Travis Kelce.

[Mike Catalana]

He looked like he's worth all of that money.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Good for him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, he had a big, big day and they needed him in these moments. And I feel like right off the jump he was able to make some big catches.

[Mike Catalana]

And the Bills, what I love too, when they got into some of these second in longs, Brandon Cooks drew a flag.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

Keon Coleman drew a flag. Now Keon just got manned up. And the corner sitting there going, I got him in the chest. But your chest. You hit his chest. And then it went up to his face. Nonetheless, they capitalized on those opportunities. That was big. James Cook. Quiet day for James. Fumbles at the goal line. But they were still able to manufacture offense like this offense for the longest time this season. And it probably will be at times moving forward, it's James Cook or bust. And to see Josh and Dalton and Dawson and they only. Dawson and they only ran the screenplay a couple of times.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And one time it was average. And then the one he just threw to Ty Johnson. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wait, what were you gonna say?

[Dan Fates]

I was gonna ask if either you are.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was gonna ask the same thing.

[Dan Fates]

James has put the ball on the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Ground back to back weeks.

[Dan Fates]

Not the one when he's diving to the end zone, though. You really do have to be careful on those plays because the dumbest rule in sports can come into play. And I'm with you guys. I don how they could challenge whether the ball went through the back of the end zone and somehow they go. Well, they were right on the challenge because they were challenging whether it was.

[Jenna Cottrell]

A touch weird or not.

[Dan Fates]

That wasn't what their challenge was.

[Mike Catalana]

I think it got misconstrued. It was ruled a touchdown. So. Because they declined or they accepted the penalty, but they would have declined it if the ball had fumbled through the end zone. So because it was a touchdown, the league has to review all scoring plays. So they reviewed it, saw that he didn't get into the end zone, but he fumbled before the pylon.

[Dan Fates]

But the league didn't. That was still a Bengals challenge originally. Oh, that's why he clarified.

[Mike Catalana]

He goes, they shouldn't be charged a challenge because it was a scoring play.

[Dan Fates]

Well, that's what I thought initially.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. That's why I was making. Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Okay.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Thank you, Professor Fates.

[Dan Fates]

So that was.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, seriously, that I. And then we don't know.

[Dan Fates]

James Cook was like, you know what? That probably did go out of the end zone, so I'm just going to give it back to them.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was a.

[Mike Catalana]

That was one of those all don't lie.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That felt backbreaking at the time. That felt like a penalty that you, you know, you drive down the field, you're right at the goal line, you make that fumble come away with no points. It felt like that's going to be insurmountable for this team.

[Mike Catalana]

And all I could think of in my head was Josh after the last game, going, score, stop, score. And they had done it. Sean McDermott, I had never seen him so excited on the sidelines after the Bills forced that three and out after their opening drive. Touchdown. Jumping up and down like a little kid. Really, I was blown away.

[Dan Fates]

Wow.

[Mike Catalana]

That was one of those moments where you're like, this is it. This is exactly how they draw it up. The Bills defense has been good in the second half for whatever reason. They're really bad in the first. Atlanta. Think about the Atlanta game. Think about Houston. Houston. Thank you, Pittsburgh. Like, they've had really good second halfs and questionable first halfs. Big play there.

[Dan Fates]

I think we're going to have to just accept the fact that when this defense plays well, it's going to be sort of like last year, when they take the ball away. I think that's the way it's going to be.

[Mike Catalana]

It's a tough way to live.

[Dan Fates]

It's funny because I thought McDermott now, I'm sure in the comments, I thought he had a really good day today. In terms of game managing. I agree aggressively. He also is coaching the defense when they get a stop. And when I say coaching, he and Bobby Babich, they're coaching when they get a stop, when they get a turnover. Look, Joe Burrow is great. They had some matchups. Joe Burrow Is he's such a different player than Josh. He knows his way around the pocket.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He thinks it out very cerebral.

[Mike Catalana]

It's like he's got 4D vision. It's like he can see the whole field through the overhead camera.

[Dan Fates]

Like seeing Bird's eye view except for corner blitzes. Honestly, they got him on that corner blitz a couple of times.

[Mike Catalana]

And you know what's so funny is that I watched some of these play designs, not only just from the Bengals, but you watch around the rest of the league and you go, that quarterback just is going to throw that ball to that route. Like it's trusting the play call when it comes in. And to see that play, he's going to throw it to. He's going to throw it to Chase.

[Dan Fates]

Like.

[Mike Catalana]

Like his mind is made up. When that ball is snapped, he's throwing it to Chase. And to think about all the times that Josh is like, no, no, no, no. I'm gonna run around. Oh, there's Shakir. I'll throw it 100. Like, those kind of things, they are so different. And it was fun to watch those two put on both epic performances in just different ways.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, it's really.

[Dan Fates]

When you think of all the great quarterbacks, they are very different. Burrow Allen, even Mahomes has his style. And Lamar. Yeah, they're. They do it differently. They're not the. Like a same. A version of the same guy. They are very different. The way they play.

[Mike Catalana]

I think there's three this year and then there's a drop and then there's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

This is a classic Steelers spot. Classic Mike Toddler. The Steelers.

[Dan Fates]

Did you.

[Mike Catalana]

Of course, Uncle Dan. I haven't. I've been bad this year.

[Dan Fates]

Hold on. But I was on that one while he's taking credit. Very well done. Oh, take credit.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

She says to me they're gonna get a turnover.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Because I just felt like, oh, maybe you said turnovers.

[Dan Fates]

Did you say turnovers?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm gonna be myself and be honest and say, no, I just said, ah, turnover. But I put on my. I put on my pastry, an apple turnover.

[Mike Catalana]

Like a pizza.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Picasso's.

Do they do turnovers? They do now. All right, so I. We were in the press box and it just felt like that was the spot where the Bills defense in the past has made some really big moments. And I'm like, you know what? I just think usually it's a Terrell Bernard. Obviously, he's not playing well this season. He was not even in the lineup because of the injuries. But I'm like, something's got to give.

[Dan Fates]

She was talking the whole game. But it was so funny. When the turnover happened, Jenna went like this.

[Jenna Cottrell]

We are watching the game altogether. By that, I mean in the press box. It was Mike and I up there. Mike, did you see that? Yes. We're staring at the same thing.

[Dan Fates]

Interactive thing. When I watch a game, it's interactive.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Sorry. I just had to. I had to get my running commentary.

[Dan Fates]

Then I actually consciously said, I need to be a little quieter here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Did you really?

[Dan Fates]

Yes. And I was really proud of you. But Janet was like this. When the interception happened, you went.

Did you not do that?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I did.

[Mike Catalana]

I did.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You did well. I was like, oh, I was right. And incredible play. Big time play with this team needed in that moment.

[Mike Catalana]

I loved also Josh. Glad the fans stayed in the fourth quarter.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. I was like, oh, Josh, that's the thing.

[Mike Catalana]

That's also seeing that emotion after that third down run, right? You start to see him firing up the crowd, takes the knee, fires up the crowd again. We have said time and time again, Josh doesn't engage in social media, but that man knows everything. That you, your cousin, your co worker, what everybody has tweeted, what everybody is saying. That man knows everything. And to see that emotion is like, hey, I'll do it. Yeah, look at this.

[Dan Fates]

Listen, I understand sometimes people have lives and they're here for the game and maybe they got little kids. Whatever it is, you cannot leave this building when 17 is on the field unless it's over over. And it doesn't seem to ever be over over. There were a few people. But it is funny, like you said, he sees social media. He also sees you leaving. So when you leave, realize Josh sees you leaving.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Josh is a huge Buffalo plus fan.

[Dan Fates]

He is. He's watching.

[Mike Catalana]

He likes comments and subscribes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Make sure you do that as well. Well, I will say there was a point in this game where I'm like, that's it. Like, I was like, that was it.

[Dan Fates]

It was when they went up by 10 after the fumble and then they drive down and they get the touchdown and you're like, wow. And then the quarterback runs 40 yards.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Incredible.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Right to you.

[Mike Catalana]

Right to me. Side note, when did Mike Gasecki turn into Tony Gonzalez?

[Dan Fates]

I gotta say, that first third down that he converted to Gasecki was an.

[Mike Catalana]

Elite throw because they converted every third down.

[Dan Fates]

They did. But, you know, it's funny.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, we should get into third down defense.

[Dan Fates]

It was funny.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What about.

Doesn'T exist.

[Dan Fates]

So there is busted coverages, guys. Wide open. That wasn't necessarily the case. Somebody needs to make a play. Max Hairston got lit up on the play in the corner. He spun all the way around. They're going to be on him for technique on that one. Now it is against T. Higgins and Higgins went up and he's so good there, but he was lost. Tre was trailing on a lot of those plays. On third down, not a great day. And Taren got beat. Cam Lewis had a couple of plays dropped. He thought he had a tackle. Then he gets but one time. I didn't understand this. Bill's called a timeout.

[Mike Catalana]

Was a third down and Cam was on chase.

[Dan Fates]

Cam ended up on chase. So whatever the Bengals did was better than what the Bills did to adjust there because that's a tough matchup for anybody, let alone Cam Lewis, so. But again, they got a couple of stops and how many punts were there today? Not really.

[Mike Catalana]

Bengals had one at the end of the first half. Right.

[Dan Fates]

Did the Bills punt?

[Mike Catalana]

I do not believe so.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think they did.

[Dan Fates]

Right. I don't think they punted. That's wild. Well, they did score 39 points too.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. There's also that. How concerned are you about third down defense?

[Mike Catalana]

Just as concerned as I've been the last three years. There's. Last year the Bills were like historically good on first down. Epa and then historically bad on third down epa. Like I don't know what it is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Sorry. No, I don't mean to laugh. I'm just like they're like all pro on first and second down and then it doesn't.

[Mike Catalana]

First Bengals on third.

[Dan Fates]

Okay, so that was what was the most disappointing because they put themselves in a good spot for the third.

[Jenna Cottrell]

They did a lot.

[Dan Fates]

Third and eighth, third and 11, third and 14 or whatever it is now. I mean, the Bengals are in historically bad defense and they gave up some third downs and fourth downs. Even the third down at the end, if you're the Bengals, you're like, are you kidding me? And he runs for the first. But I thought they did. Here comes a Mrs. Mrs. Lincoln. But I thought that they put themselves in a good spot. They did a good job against the run. They really did not run the ball very well.

[Mike Catalana]

That was another reason why I looked and I said maybe it was just hard to run in general because the Bills didn't run it well.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, like.

[Mike Catalana]

Like it was a universally tough, slick field.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Where like the O line wasn't getting.

[Dan Fates]

Pushes because Josh Allen looked like he ran pretty well.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He's also a Literal Buffalo.

[Dan Fates]

That is true.

[Jenna Cottrell]

There's sometimes where I'm like, that man is ridiculous.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, just some unbelievable stuff. All right. We talked about the tight ends as well. Big night for Dawson Knox.

[Mike Catalana]

Cool moment at the stadium.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Just a, you know, however many games.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Are left here, there's two regular season games, so we know that. But would there be another? We don't know.

[Mike Catalana]

It was snow globe esque winter wonderland.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But it wasn't windy, so. Which wasn't that bad. Yeah, it was just one of those cool moments where it's like, this is football weather. And again, on the sidelines, I wasn't at. A lot of people were referencing the 49ers game last year. Yeah, I watched that game in the hospital after Taylor was born. Shout out Taylor. But it kind of had that effect. And like I said, the snow, the leaf blowers on the field and shoveling the lines, all this stuff, it was a cool moment that I think everybody here is going. That'll be one to remember.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I just think there's. There's a beautiful, state of the art stadium across the street. But I. I liked what Sean McDermott said after the game about like, there's still magic in this place. And I think after the game, Mr. Brightside's playing. Big win for the Bills and to have the weather be the weather and have the Bills rally the way they did, it's just special.

[Dan Fates]

Let's hear from Sean.

[Sean McDermott]

Yeah, I saw a sign before the game. I was out trying to look at the kickers in the pre. Pre warm up just because of the snow and everything. And there was a sign on the scoreboard that was reading, you know, get your seat. That's full of these memories. And, you know, it made me think about it. You think about all the different people who have sat in those seats over the years. Some seats I'm sure have stayed in the family through, you know, multiple generations and how special that is and moments they've enjoyed together. And then all the different people who enjoyed watching Jim and all those teams early with those guys and now watching jobs and our teams. So it's just special to be a part of it. It really is. And.

Certainly, I'm sure a lot of people are looking forward to the new stadium. I understand that. But let's not rush to get over there. I think it's special to be here and enjoy these last few moments that we all have together in here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, so big win. Anything else you want to mention?

[Mike Catalana]

No, I think we hit on most of it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm curious about Cole Bishop.

[Dan Fates]

Cramps.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yeah. Okay.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

He was chugging stuff and had the massage gun.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Like he was. And he was kept. He was like. Because I filmed it for like a minute and a half, but he's, like, signaling like, I can't go in. Like, we need somebody else to go in. He went to the locker room, came back, played a couple more snaps, and then was out the rest of the game as well. So I don't think that's anything serious. It is crazy when you think about how cold this is. You're also dehydrated as well. Yeah, but. Yeah, that's. It didn't seem all that.

[Dan Fates]

Next week's going to be fun. Look, New England's got a chance to clinch. The Bills may not be able to catch them. You do not want them to clinch the division title and take it away from you on their home stadium. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So that is a. I will say this, and I think you guys agree that's a Sean McDermott game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

In a sense of saying he's going to be mentioning the T shirts and the hats or in some version.

[Jenna Cottrell]

For sure.

[Dan Fates]

You know, it's our division title now. That doesn't mean the Patriots won't win.

[Mike Catalana]

I'm saying is they're not doing it on our watch.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. And then. And then you see what happens. Then you see the way it plays out.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I do think credit to the Bills in this game, though, because we talked about in the car right up like, this was a desperate Bengals team trying to keep their season alive. I. You can't deny that.

[Mike Catalana]

They were never going to make the playoffs.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It doesn't matter, though. They didn't know that.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, are the Dolphins desperate?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No. It's so different. Do you agree with what I'm saying?

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's the Bengals with Joe Burrow back, they were still in play for the division. All this stuff like they wanted. They needed this game.

[Dan Fates]

And Josh got one against Joe Burrow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Because, you know, he knows that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So now he's what, 1 and 2, 1 and 2.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So there's that big one.

[Dan Fates]

Big one.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right. Bills are 9 and 4. They head to New England next. Like Mike talked about, the Patriots could clinch the AFC east title if they get the win over the Bills. We'll have plenty more coverage as we head into Foxborough.

[Mike Catalana]

We're gonna talk to our favorite Drake Mace publicist. We're gonna talk to Mike. G R D. Boston Sports Journal.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Yeah, we'll be talking if he ever answers back, Dan.

[Dan Fates]

Also, I know we should have mentioned this. I guess we could have mentioned it. Thursday night we will be in place. You guys know well living, you guys.

[Mike Catalana]

Because they're going up fast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

My parents, my family.

[Dan Fates]

My family's coming.

[Jenna Cottrell]

My sister, my mom are too, though.

[Dan Fates]

Look at that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You see a woman who's like late 60s who looks just like me. That's my mother.

[Dan Fates]

It is. And then a week from Thursday, we're in Buffalo riverworks.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

So that is a week from this Thursday.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, Shout out, Dana.

[Dan Fates]

Yes, Dana. Saw her at the Windfield. Said she was one of the first 5,000 subscribers. I believe she said, so be one.

[Mike Catalana]

Of the next 50,000 if you haven't already.

[Christian Benford]

Close.

[Mike Catalana]

We gotta get to 100K.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, 100.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, yeah, I do want a plaque. I want a plaque so bad, but 50 would be great. We'll start there.

[Dan Fates]

We're moving.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was gonna say, so tell all your friends about Buffalo Plus. Okay.

[Dan Fates]

All right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Please be sure to, like. Comment.

[Mike Catalana]

Subscribe Fighting the Hands Share Losing the Hands.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I know. For Mike and Dan, I'm Jenna. Thank you so much for watching Buffalo plus and shout out, Picassos.

[Mike Catalana]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast.