THE LEAGUE: NFL's five BEST and WORST teams + the DUMBEST rule in FOOTBALL

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

"THE LEAGUE: NFL's Five BEST and WORST Teams + the DUMBEST Rule in FOOTBALL"

Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team dives into their power rankings of the five best and worst NFL teams through three weeks of the 2025 season, focusing on both hot takes and thoughtful analysis. The trio also tackles what they consider the dumbest rule in NFL football—taunting—and rants about the league’s approach to fining players. Other highlights include debate over quarterback play, offensive line performance, and some hilariously spicy disagreements.

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Key Discussion Points

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1. Bottom Five NFL Teams (00:13–14:03)

Surprise Picks & Hot Takes

• Mike’s Controversial Take:
  • Puts the Kansas City Chiefs as his fifth-worst team purely based on high expectations and their pedestrian offense.

    “My standard is high for the Chiefs… They do not look good at all… Their offense is pedestrian.” – Mike (01:54)

  • Chiefs’ internal dysfunction is highlighted, particularly the sideline argument between Travis Kelce and Andy Reid.

    “The dysfunction… the sideline shot… the miscommunications on the field—I think there’s potential for things to go even more sideways.” – Jenna (05:07)

• Russell Wilson Roast:
  • Hosts collectively declare Russell Wilson among the league’s worst starting QBs due to his decline and the Broncos’ ineptitude.

    “Russell Wilson right now is the worst starting quarterback in the NFL because of who he is.” – Mike (03:53)

Standout “Bad” Teams

• Saints:
  • Both Mike and Dan have the Saints as a bottom-feeder, noting their inability to ever play with a lead.

    “They’re the only team in the league who has not taken a snap with the lead.” – Jenna (06:41)

• AFC East “Bundle”:
  • Mike lumps the rest of the AFC East (excluding the Bills) as his number four worst, mocking the Patriots’ failings and confusion about the rookie QB’s name (“Drake Maybe”).

    “The Patriots offensive line is really bad… five turnovers is brutal.” – Dan (08:22)

• Texans, Steelers, Giants:
  • Texans and Steelers judged for poor defense and offensive lines; Giants seen as a team in total freefall, with calls to finally bench Russell Wilson for rookie QB Jackson Dart.

    “I think the Steelers are a really, really bad football team.” – Dan (08:35)

• Mike’s Giants Takedown:
  • “Unfortunately, I have the Giants at 1 [worst]. Every game for them seems like it’s going to be tough.” – Mike (11:51)
• New York’s Futility:
  • Hosts deride New York teams’ (Giants, Jets) collective decades-long mediocrity.

    “It is a disaster in that city… you have just put up with mediocrity or bad between those two franchises.” – Mike (13:47)

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2. Top Five NFL Teams (16:07–27:39)

Controversial Inclusions & Ongoing Debates

• Mike’s Upside-Down Top 5:
  • Surprises include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#5), praised for Baker Mayfield’s late-game heroics.

    “Baker’s a gamer… I don’t know who I’d rather have on the field driving for a touchdown than Baker.” – Mike (17:00)

  • Baker Mayfield lauded as better than Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes “at the moment,” drawing playful groans from cohosts.

    “Baker’s a better quarterback at the moment than Patrick Mahomes... Right now.” – Mike (19:41)

• Chargers Hype:
  • Dan bumps the Chargers to fourth-best, arguing Justin Herbert and their improved defense have turned the corner.

    "Their defense is actually playing legit… they actually have a defense that I think can be a factor.” – Dan (21:08)

• Ravens, Eagles:
  • General consensus that both are solid but haven’t peaked; Jenna and Dan think Ravens are perennially dangerous come playoff time.
• The Colts at #1?!
  • Mike’s “scorched earth” pick: Colts as the current best team in the NFL, citing point differential and their quarterback play.

    “Right now at the moment, they [Colts] have been the most weekly impressive team in the league.” – Mike (26:31)

  • Dan is incredulous: “Listen, I like hot takes. This is just ugly… This feels icky.” (26:42)
• Bills and Eagles Near Top:
  • Both teams regularly appear in top three, with healthy debate over how far the Bills’ offensive line and Josh Allen can carry them.

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3. Offensive Lines & Player Performance (10:35–11:16, 18:08–18:49)

• Broad agreement that offensive line play across the NFL is generally poor.
• Bills praised for elite OL continuity and performance:

  “That's the second best thing Brandon Bean’s done… that offensive line is elite.” – Mike (10:45)

• The importance of O-line in enabling late-game drives (Baker, Herbert) discussed at length.

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4. The Dumbest Rule in Football: Taunting (28:02–32:27)

Taunting Rule Rant

• Mike declares NFL taunting penalties are “the worst rule in the NFL,” lambasting inconsistent application and the league’s supposed moral posturing.

  “This is a violent game played against men who scream things at each other… Why can’t you celebrate the play?... I hate the rule.” – Mike (29:07)

• Dan backs this up with a comedic reference to Daniel Tosh’s bit on celebrations.
• Jenna and Dan agree: football’s nature makes taunting flags hypocritical and unnecessary.

Fines: The NFL’s “Money Grab”

• The crew criticizes the NFL’s hefty and often arbitrary fines for on-field infractions (e.g., $11,593 for a facemask penalty, $46,000 for lowering one’s head).

  “This league, I think they hate their own players. They want to take money from them all the time.” – Mike (31:57)

• There’s frustration over fine amounts not adjusting for player status and about fines occurring even when on-field officials miss calls.

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5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’d rather see Sierra play at this point.” – Dan, mocking Russell Wilson's struggles (03:31)
• “He is the cringiest person in the NFL.” – Dan, on Russell Wilson (12:47)
• “Week three was blackout drunk… the insanity of those games, the witching hour, all of those things.” – Dan (34:07)
• “Give the Colts credit, right now they are playing like a team. They were a disaster last year and they have now looked good.” – Mike (27:11)

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6. Quick Hits and Running Bits

• Wild spelling bee win: Dan surprised everyone by nailing "epitome." (15:35)
• Playful shots at each other for hot takes, trolling, and podcast quirks.
• Ongoing Bills-centric focus: even broader league topics circle back to implications for the Bills.

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------| | Bottom Five Teams | Bad teams, Chief's woes, Wilson roast | 00:13–14:03 | | Top Five Teams | Upside-down power rankings, Colts at #1 | 16:07–27:39 | | O-Line Talk | League-wide struggles, Bills praise | 10:35–11:16 | | Taunting Rule Discussion | Rant, fine breakdown, “dumbest rule” | 28:02–32:27 | | Notable Quotes & Banter | Spelling "epitome", “week three drunk” | 15:35, 34:07 |

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Tone & Style

Throughout, the conversation remains loose, irreverent, humorous, and occasionally combative. The hosts blend Buffalo football knowledge with sarcasm and genuine fan frustration, making the episode both informative for die-hard fans and entertaining for casual listeners.

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Best enjoyed if you’re a Bills fan—or you enjoy NFL debates with spice, wit, and a little trolling.

Transcript

[A]

What are you cooking up here, Catalana?

[B]

Nothing.

[A]

Who do you have as your second best team?

[B]

Who do you have?

[C]

Go on.

[A]

I have the Bills at one.

[B]

Who's it too?

[A]

The Eagles.

[B]

And number one, I have.

[A]

You're so stupid.

[C]

Oh, my God. We don't need clicks that much. All right. Welcome back to the Buffalo plus channel. My Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. Welcome to this episode of the league presented by stellar roofing, windows and siding. We're going to talk a little bit about taunting rule finding players, the rule that should be eliminated. But first, we're to start with the top five and bottom five teams in the NFL as we enter week number four and Mike has prepared us that he has a whole bunch of takes.

[B]

I got takes for this.

[C]

Imagine that.

[B]

I got takes for this. When we talk about top five, bottom five, he's going, yeah.

[A]

Mike literally wants to do the league just so that he could hot takes and just educate us.

[B]

I'll go five to one.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I'm gonna start out at number five and I'm trolling for this. So go ahead and aggregate me if you want. You know who number five five to one is for me.

[C]

For best or worst?

[B]

Worst. Okay, five worst.

[C]

Now is five.

[B]

The fifth worst team in the league.

[A]

So Mike thought that he was just going to have his own top five and bottom five and that we were just going to like, like, tell me.

[B]

I'm wrong or tell me I'm right.

[A]

Yeah, like we were just gestures like, like we're just like whatever. Yeah, whatever, Mike and staff. Because I also have a bottom five.

[B]

That's awesome.

[A]

But mine also has trolling in it.

[C]

Okay, good.

[B]

I'm going to start with trolling. You know who my five team is? The Kansas City Chiefs.

[A]

That's a little hot.

[B]

Now I know they're going to be better and I know they're not the fifth worst team in the league. So settle down. My standard is high for the Chiefs. I don't know if you know this, but they've been to three straight Super Bowls. They do not look good at all. Defense is good. They have been that way. Their offense is pedestrian and I know they're getting players back. But if the Giants had anything at all, they could have beaten the Chiefs. A desperate team at 02. They're two plus games behind the Chargers. And I know it's early in the division, but they do have real competition in that division. I know they're going to get better, but I don't know what the. How high the bar is for the team this year. I'm putting them at number five.

[A]

I had them as just on the outskirts of my bottom five because it was too much of a hot take for me to put them in the bottom.

[C]

Oh, my God, Dan.

[B]

I had a hotter take than you.

[A]

Yeah. But I thought. But I did think the fact of their offensive line is a mess. They don't really have any explosive offense. Their defense is not as scary. Like we've talked about this before on the channel. Just like they look like they're. That they're fatigued. And you're right, the Giants should have won that game. Russell Wilson is atrocious, and I feel bad for any fan of a team that has had to root for the last four years. Russell Wilson. I mean, it is the least amount of fun you can have watching a football game like it is watching the game last night with my wife, and she goes, who's the Giants quarterback? And I go, russell Wilson. She goes, oh, I love Russell Wilson. Yeah, he's married to Sierra. And I was like, I'd rather see.

[B]

Sierra play at this point.

[A]

Like, they are so inept on offense. And. And I love Brian DL but he is inept.

[C]

Yeah, no, he is.

[B]

He's having a terrible time.

[C]

Oh, no. You're saying.

[A]

He gave me a look when I said inept, like, as if it wasn't the correct. Correct word.

[B]

Yes, it is the correct word.

[A]

He is away over there.

[B]

I wanted to make sure of something because you said it. Yeah, I. I would say Russell Wilson right now is the worst starting quarterback in the NFL because of who he is. Right. In terms of. He is an accomplished player.

[C]

It's his.

[B]

No, no, no.

[A]

It's not just his play. No, it's just his human being because.

[B]

Of who he is.

[C]

He is a guy.

[B]

He's a guy who was trending towards being in the hall of Fame.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And we talk about Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers is twice the quarterback of Russell Wilson. And I don't think Aaron Rodgers is a shell of what he used to be. I'm saying is he is a guy who has won a Super bowl, been to two.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Been a very accomplished player. And he's not that old. I mean, he's older, certainly, but it's not like he's 45 and he's playing terribly. And it's his third straight team of playing terribly.

[A]

I was thinking about it watching the game. Everybody's like, oh, you know, Russell Wilson's having a bad night. They're booing him. I can't believe it. He just did for 450 yards last week. That performance by Russell Wilson last week is way more of an indictment and indication on the Cowboys than it is on Russell Wilson having anything left in his tank. There is nothing remotely competent of a starting quarterback as Russell Wilson.

[C]

Okay, do we need, like, a cigarette? I feel like we got, like, really animated to start, but I do think the Chiefs thing. I don't. I'm not willing to say they're the fifth worst team in the league, but I think you're starting to see that fatigue that we talked about. But the. The sideline shot of Travis Kelce and Andy Reid getting into it. The dysfunction when you're losing, and I know they won against the jets or the Giants. Excuse me, they had to grind out that game. The dysfunction of when you're ex. Expecting a certain level of performance and you're falling below that. And that's where things can get really wild, because we are only entering week four, and to see their level of play and what we thought they were capable of and then to see the talk on the sidelines and just like the miscommunications on the field, I think there's the potential for things to continue to go even more sideways. So right now I'm not ready to say they're in the top five worst teams, but I actually could see a point in the season where you're like, if things don't. If the ship isn't settled, I could definitely see down the line that things like this can fester if you don't take care of it.

[A]

Fester. I like that.

[B]

Want to go to four? I'll let you go first. Or. You didn't have your five.

[A]

You didn't say I had bottom five. I. I did. I. I had the Saints.

[B]

Yeah. I have the Saints at number two.

[A]

I was saying a really, really, really bad team.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And we'll get to it more as the week goes on here on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel as they get ready to come to Buffalo to face the Bills. But I'll save those hot takes. Yeah. For later in the week.

[B]

They're the only team in the league who has not taken a snap with the lead and two games.

[C]

Yeah, I saw that stat. So that hurts.

[B]

Yes, that does hurt.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

My number four team is the rest of the AFC East. I just bunched them together. The Patriots. I. The jets have actually played tough twice. The Bills destroyed them, but they've played tough twice. They could have stolen the Game on Sunday, and they certainly played the Steelers and sort of gave that game away. But they were terrible in the other one. The Dolphins, while they played the Bills tough, have been a mess in the other games, and I don't think that's going to get a lot better. New England is. I mean, they turned it over five times. Do you know what the quarterback's nickname is in Foxborough?

[A]

Drake maybe.

[B]

Drake maybe.

[A]

I think that's pretty good.

[C]

Oh, I haven't heard that.

[B]

It's not Josh Allen, part two, right?

[A]

No, it's Drake maybe.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

May be bad. He also definitely was concussed.

[C]

Yeah. As soon as he threw that interception.

[A]

I was like, it wasn't just they showed the replay of it. It's the grabbing of the helmet and, like, for a league that is, like, trying to eliminate, like, this kind of stuff and it's, hey, you know, we want to be cautious. Like, he then threw a pass to the first row of the seats, and then they were still showing the replay of his head bouncing off the bat, off the turf, like Cole Bishop's body did on that run by Derek.

[C]

Cole Bishop's catching a stray right now.

[A]

And then he throws one right to the other team.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

How did the spotters did the spotters.

[A]

Nothing.

[B]

Exactly what I was going to say. How did they not see that nothing? It was an obvious.

[C]

It was very obvious.

[B]

And.

[C]

And you're right. As soon as I saw that, I was like.

[A]

It was. It was when he went back, like when he goes up to reach for his head.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

They're bad. Steelers offensive line, or the Patriots offensive line is really bad.

[C]

The five turnovers is brutal.

[A]

Yeah, I. I got one for you. I think the Steelers are a really, really bad football team.

[B]

Now, that's kind of a stink.

[A]

Yeah, a little bit. Because I think they stink. And I think more specifically, their defense stinks. And they don't have the offense. They don't have the firepower. We can talk about Russell Wilson being a really bad quarterback and that offense being pedestrian at best, but at least they have Malik neighbors and you have DK Metcalfs in Pittsburgh.

[B]

But wait a minute, do they have Malik neighbors?

[A]

They do. I saw him in week two. He was. He was unavailable, I think, this past week, but I think the Steelers defense is really bad. They should have given up 28 points to a bad Patriots team who just couldn't hang on to the football.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And everyone's like, oh, well, they got their pass rush back and. And Derek Harmon was back. Like, the Patriots Offensive line is atrocious. So I'm not sitting here going, oh, the Steelers defense figured it out. No, they just played a horrendous offense and so I think the Steelers are a really, really bad football team.

[C]

Watching that game, I was like, oh, so no one wants to win? Like it was just like, oh, okay, Rogers.

[A]

Dumb fake.

[C]

And the fact that it was a one touchdown game when, when the Patriots did turn it over five times, that to me does say a lot about how the Steelers a are just not able to capitalize when you have that many opportunities to make a big play on the other side of the ball.

[B]

I'm so proud of you two because you talk. I tell you how much I enjoy, dislike and hate in sports.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You guys are really disliking teams.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I, I really enjoy seeing that you're so proud. Pat myself on the back here. Number three. Who do you think I have number three?

[A]

Cowboys.

[B]

Nope, didn't have the Cowboys.

[A]

It's Texans.

[B]

It is the Texans.

[A]

Yes. Who have a defense really bad.

[B]

They don't have a top five quarterback, do they? I heard a while ago that he was a top five quarterback.

[A]

Well, they do have us blocking. They got rid of their entire offensive line.

[B]

Continue to blame it on everybody else.

[A]

I'll say this, getting to sit down and watch an entire Sunday of football. There are a lot of bad offensive lines in the NFL.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And for all the Bills fans and you know, we're trying to grow the audience but a lot of this is Bills fans. You should be really thankful for how good the Bill's offensive line is because.

[B]

They are second best thing Brandon Bean's done. Besides obviously Josh Allen as a draft, that offensive line is elite.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

In fact I think they're. I think right now they're the best offensive line in the league. I think they're line even with Lane Johnson. It's just a little different this year.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Dickerson's banged up. They got a new right guard. It is just not as dominant. They have not been there. It doesn't mean they can't get there. But I think the Bills is number one right now in the league.

[C]

I don't think that's. Yeah. They've also had the time on task.

[B]

Yeah. No doubt.

[C]

Together. And that's that matters.

[A]

Chris Long was talking about it on the greenlight pod where he said this Texans team reminds him a lot of his Rams teams that he played on where he's like, we had a really good defensive line and we could get after it and we Were holding. He goes, and it didn't matter because we cannot figure it out on offense. They. They're. They're. They're bad.

[B]

Yeah, I'll let you finish it out because I have the Saints at 2, and unfortunately, I have the Giants at 1. I have the Giants, and I think, you know, we'll see at what point they make the move to Dart. I think if I'm the Giants, they. Their schedule is tough. Every game for them seems like it's going to be tough.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, and so, I mean, they still have, like. I mean, they have the Eagles coming up twice in, like, the next. I don't think you protect them that much and say, we're not going to play them. I think when you just make the call and for. We're recording this now, who knows, maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday. Brian Dabel says Jackson Dart starting the next game. Because I was always almost a little surprised they didn't throw him in there.

[C]

Yeah, I was kind of thinking that.

[B]

Yeah, unless they just don't want him out there until he gets the week of practice, but give him the week. I'd rather see Jamis play, honestly.

[C]

Well, yeah, if you're not gonna play Dart, then what time do you think they go to Jamis?

[B]

I don't think they do. I think they just play Russ out and then go to Dart. Maybe week eight or nine, something like that.

[A]

It's just crazy to me that there are still NFL teams out there that are like, yeah, yeah, we'll do Russell Wilson.

[B]

Yeah, they.

[C]

People love doing that, though. What's like the meme where it's like, it didn't work for them, but maybe.

[B]

It'Ll work for me. I'll add another.

[A]

He is the cringiest person in the NFL.

[B]

I'm gonna add another hot take. I'm down in New York this weekend, see my family, and I'm listening to New York stations. They're talking about, you know, what's expected in New York and blah, blah, blah. With the media. The tough media. The tough media. Look at what the Giants and the Jets. We have them both here in among the worst teams in the league.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Have been for the better part of the last 30 seasons combined between the two since the Giants won their Super Bowls, which is tremendous. The two that they won, they have been a disaster. And I heard the guys on the radio this morning going back and forth at their seasons. 5 wins, 3 wins, 6 wins, 5 wins, couple of playoff years. The one year The jets had 10 wins, the one year the Giants had nine and made the playoffs.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But it is a disaster in that city. And I know they're all tough guys down there. You know, we're the toughest media. Well, you have just put up with mediocrity or bad between those two franchises.

[A]

Yeah, I had Saints, Steelers, Giants, Dolphins, Texans is my bottom five. And just on the outskirts, the Browns. The Browns and Cowboys. But I'll say this about the Browns beating the packers and their defense is top three to top five in the league. So that.

[B]

That factors in as we transition to the top five. I had the Browns just on the. I gave them honorable mention. They held Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who, you know, played in the preseason, so they were ready in the second half of that first game.

[C]

He's so spicy.

[B]

Seven yards. They lost the game. Seven yards for the Bengals in that second half.

[A]

The problem is is that you have to score points. Also.

[B]

The team stinks to be a good team.

[A]

So you have them outside the top five.

[B]

Their defense is. They. They got run over in the second half by the Ravens when the Ravens just got it rolling. But they are not obviously top five teams. Yeah, I'm giving them their flowers for winning a game against Green Bay.

[A]

That Green Bay out of my top.

[B]

Five did the same to me.

[A]

Fair. Honestly, that's the epitome of a team that, like, really good, really talented. But they don't know what they don't know yet.

[C]

That's fair.

[A]

Like they. They don't understand how to the Bills of that Dolphins game, we were sitting there going, there's no way they're going to lose this game. Like, whether it was. I think part of it was because of Miami and they've just dominated Miami's like, well, they're just going to find a way to. To win the game. The packers could have easy should have won that game and they didn't because good teams find ways to win. And while the packers are good, they're not there yet where they can just coast to the finish line in games they haven't.

[C]

It's not the flip the switch yet.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I'm going to be mean here for a second. Oh, spell epitome E P I T.

[A]

O M E. Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Wow. Wait. I'm genuinely shocked.

[B]

First of all, you used it perfectly. And then bang. Hit the spelling.

[A]

Bang.

[B]

He's on a roll.

[A]

Big shot. Big shot. Look so good.

[B]

That is so good. I'm very proud.

[A]

Honestly. For a second I was like, pity. I don't even know. Then. Then it clicked Because I've had to look it up on Google so many times for. For tweets.

[B]

So good. That's so good.

[C]

That's impressive.

[A]

It's be a good day.

[B]

We'll go top five.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So I had the. But my number five team is the Bucks and I have a hot take on the Bucks.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I have.

[C]

Even with the injuries.

[A]

That's tough, man. Him.

[B]

They're undefeated. I'm aware and I'm. Here's my hot take. I think Baker Mayfield, I think he's better right now than Joe Burrow. Not the injured Joe Burrow. I don't mean about his injury. Like walking Joe Burrow. Take him up until he was hurt.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Why would Joe Burrow be better than him? Baker's a gamer. Great at the end of games. You know, he's had the good receivers too.

[A]

Because you know why?

[B]

Why? Because Burrow made it to one Super Bowl.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. Okay. I would.

[A]

You've argued this point on the other side. So now you're flipping it.

[B]

I'm saying is Burrow gets thrown in there with Mahomes, Allen and Lamar gets automatically in that top four. I know he puts up a ton of numbers at the end of games. I don't know who I'd rather have on the field driving for a touchdown than Baker.

[A]

Yeah, it's.

[C]

Well, Josh Allen.

[A]

It's.

[B]

Yes. But Baker is right there. Baker. It's literally like seems to come through.

[A]

Yeah. It's literally like that list is like Baker, Stafford, like guys that have done it.

[B]

Mahomes and. And Allen.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But they game need the drive to win the game.

[A]

He's a dog.

[B]

He is.

[C]

I mean, I love.

[B]

And he can move. He can run. He's not a runner.

[A]

Correct. He can move. I love. I love when we take.

[B]

Yes. It's not so literal.

[A]

He can move.

[B]

I. I'm a. I am a.

[C]

So you're saying he's better than Joe Burrow right now?

[B]

Well, yes.

[A]

Joe Burrow cannot move. That is a good poe.

[C]

I love that turf toe does gotta get rebranded.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But yeah, no, the problem is is that offensive line, I think is. Is an issue. I mean they've got.

[B]

It works and hurt. They're trying to get him.

[A]

Well, they lost two guys the season enders already. They said they had zero guys playing their starting position as they did week one.

[B]

But we've seen Baker twice already this year needing the drive after his special teams nearly killed him a week ago. He takes him down the field and then he did it again yesterday.

[A]

It's funny when they talk about like, Baker's like rehabilitated his career. It just meant he left Cleveland. Like. Like, they're like, can you believe this guy? How he's turned it around? It's like he just left Cleveland. That's it. Like, he was good in Cleveland. And then he had a cup of coffee with the Rams. Had a cup of coffee with Caroline.

[B]

When he won that game for the Rams. Ten minutes. And then he won the game for them.

[A]

I had the Lions at. At five.

[B]

So they're playing. We're recording this on Monday. And that's why the Lions and the Ravens, they're playing each other. I think they're both very good teams.

[A]

Very good teams.

[B]

I have the Ravens at 4 at the moment, so we'll see how that game plays out. That we may look dumb to have them both in there.

[C]

Going back to the Bucks real quick, do you think it's who the Bucks have played also this season?

[B]

I. I just.

[C]

I think they're played the Falcons, Texans and Jets.

[B]

I just think I like. Okay, that's fine.

[C]

I'm just. I'm just saying.

[B]

I just. I wanted to get in.

[C]

There's one win.

[B]

I wanted to get in my take.

[C]

That's. That's fair. I'm just saying I. I don't think. Well, I think the Bucks are good. I don't think they're top five. I also think that that's why Baker.

[A]

Has been a gamer than bottom five.

[B]

And I also would. I also at the moment. Baker's a better quarterback at the moment than Patrick Mahomes.

[A]

Again, there's a lot of better quarterbacks right now.

[C]

Well, seems very disjointed.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Right now.

[A]

Right now. I will. I will get retroactively upset every time I see all of these wide receivers that were drafted start to have big games. Tori Horton.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

For Seattle. Making plays. Abuka. And I'm just sitting there and it's like, oh, he wasn't fast enough. It's like the dude makes plays.

[B]

By the way, you know who else is really starting to make plays? Your crush? Rome.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Adun.

[C]

Brian Thomas.

[B]

I don't know what's going on.

[A]

I don't know.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Maybe he's available. Maybe they Bills can get him now.

[A]

3Rd round pick. Loves giving those up for.

[B]

Make that trade.

[A]

Okay. Who do you got it?

[B]

Four.

[C]

Yeah. Who did you have?

[B]

I had Bucks five, Ravens four.

[A]

Here's one for you.

[C]

Ravens four. Okay.

[A]

Chargers four.

[B]

I like that. I am right now. I'm getting on the Herbert train, he's played very well, very smart. His issue has been when he's had those big moments.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

But they have, I think, three division wins now, Right? Impressive.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos.

[B]

And he's played well. And they've got some injuries too. You know, they've, they've lost a few people, but I, I can see why you would have.

[A]

The reason that I'm actually believing this Chargers hype as the maybe second best team in the afc, at least right now, is their defense is actually playing legit. Like, like they've got for the first time in a while. Like they were always the soft team. Like, like they, they would lose games 38, 35, where Herbert would be good, but you'd sit there and go, well, he didn't win, so what does it really matter? They actually have a defense that I think can be a factor and make.

[B]

Place and listen, he's wacky, but Harbaugh can coach. Yes, he can coach.

[C]

He's coached.

[B]

He's built up teams from nothing.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Multiple times. So he can coach.

[C]

How afraid would you be of the Chargers in a AFC like playoff matchup for the Bills?

[B]

Not.

[C]

Okay. That's how I.

[A]

Zero.

[B]

Because if they go to LA, if they had to go to LA for the championship game, it'd still be 75. Yeah. There might be 50, 50,000.

[A]

And if they have to go outside, zero chance.

[C]

Yeah. Okay. No, I, I agree. I just wanted to heat check.

[B]

Now.

[A]

Hope this doesn't get clipped later.

[B]

If they're playing them in the playoffs and Herbert has had one or two games leading up to it and has played really well, that may be different. He is very talented.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But he has been bad in the playoffs.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Talent has never been the issue. It's been clutch.

[B]

So that's why I'm saying is at that moment, if they're in the AFC Championship game, well, they could end up with the one seed. Right. But if they're in it even coming to Buffalo, he may have already played two games, but we're way ahead on that.

[C]

Yeah. And well, the, the Charger season or schedule coming up, they have the Giants next, then Commanders, then Dolphins, then Colts, then Vikings, then Titans, then Steelers, then Jags, then Raiders, then the Eagles. I know, I wasn't expecting all this stuff that many, but I'm like, that's kind of. That's kind of like the Dolphin. Okay. The Giants and then. Well, I don't know how the Colts are. I don't know what to make of them. I know they're undefeated, but what do you got, Dan?

[B]

Number three.

[A]

Three Ravens.

[B]

Okay, so I had them at four. Yeah, they're good. And we'll see how they do again this game tonight. I mean, obviously they should be undefeated. According to our picks for the Bills, they are undefeated.

[A]

Here's the thing about the Ravens. The Ravens and the Chiefs, I. I both kind of think in the same spot of, like, I'm just not going to overreact to them. I'm not going to put them in my bottom five of a team like, three weeks into a season. Because I just think about, where are these teams going to be come January? Because, like, I know. I don't really care what the Ravens record is when it gets to be late December. I know they're going to be in the playoffs. It's going to be more for seating, but, like, that's going to be a dog fight with the Bills or anybody. It just comes down to Ken Lamar. Play like Herbert. A good playoff game hasn't been able to do it.

[B]

Bill's fans, at a point may be rooting for the Ravens to win games so that you avoid them until the championship game. If you're following what I'm saying.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, you've seen this happen in basketball and some other sports when a guy gets hurt when all of a sudden it won't happen. But like, imagine a Chiefs team or a Ravens team as the seven seed and you're two and they're coming in to play in week one.

[C]

It's not quite that you thought, yeah, three.

[B]

I have the Eagles at three. I think they're. They're good. They were great in the second half. They were terrible in the first half. They're still very good. And they haven't even started to play at their best.

[A]

What are you cooking up here, Catalana?

[B]

Nothing.

[A]

Who do you have as your second best team?

[B]

Well, we haven't gotten there yet. You haven't said your three yet.

[A]

I had the Ravens at three.

[B]

Oh, you said the Ravens at three.

[A]

I have the.

[B]

My second best team is the Bills. Who do you have? Two.

[C]

Go on.

[A]

I have the Bills at one.

[B]

Who's it? Two?

[A]

The Eagles.

[B]

And number one, I have the Indianapolis Colts.

[A]

You're so stupid.

[C]

Oh, my God. We don't need clicks that day.

[B]

This is not what I am saying to you. I am saying right now, tell me who they've played.

[A]

Because they've played Curly, Larry and Mo.

[B]

They have. They have the biggest point differential three games. Hey, we say that the Bills played the Dolphins and Had to struggle to the end to win.

[A]

Dolphins and Titans, right? And the Broncos are kind of bad.

[B]

Right now in part because the Colts beat them.

[C]

That was a one point game.

[B]

It was. But that was a game the beginning of the year. And it's like, how are they? Daniel Jones is playing great.

[A]

Listen, I like hot takes. This is just ugly. This is like. This feels.

[B]

This is what you don't get.

[A]

This feels icky.

[B]

This is. When we're talking right now, I'll put it to this way. The packers aren't in my top five because they just lost to the Browns. And I'm not saying it has to be week to week, but we're only three weeks in. I think the Colts, back to back to back weeks have played like a team. It's got its act together. They could fall apart. I trust them a heck of a lot more than I trust the Houston Texans to make a comeback. They're going to win that division. They're going to win that division and be in the playoffs. And I don't know how long it'll last for Daniel. Jones has quarterback to team to the playoffs before. They're not going to be the number one team. The Bills would beat them in a game. But right now at the moment, they have been the most weakly impressive team in the league.

[C]

So you don't think the Bills would beat the out of them.

[B]

They would beat them. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But the Bills just played the Dolphins.

[C]

At home on a short week in divisional game.

[B]

Both of them were in a short week and the Dolphins had been terrible and the Dolphins got blown out in a game. And I'm just saying is right now I'm giving the Colts their flowers coming into this week.

[C]

I was not expecting that. That's crazy to me.

[A]

I knew he was up to something. I literally said, what are you up to? What do you mean? I have the Bills at number two like it was.

[B]

I am not going to tell you. I take Daniel Jones ahead of Lamar Jackson.

[C]

You're not going to take Daniel Jones over Josh Allen?

[B]

No, that's not how.

[A]

Come on, kids. This is how we get clicks.

[B]

I give the Colts credit right now they are playing like a team. They were a disaster last year and they have now looked good. Now we'll see where they go from here. It could go south fast. They could be this year, probably Saints. But at the moment that I was thinking, well, that's a one playoff team division. Yeah. Right now it's not the Texans. I think we all thought if it was going to be Anybody? It's going to be the Texans, so we'll see where they end up. But Colts.

[C]

That is way spicier than I was expecting. Point differential, three weeks in on pace.

[A]

Guy Jones is on pace.

[C]

Mike is a big on pace guy. We've never seen Daniel Jones play bad.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. He's in a Colts uniform. He's been outstanding.

[B]

What's the. Find out the numbers for me. Mvp. He's got to be right up there.

[A]

Yeah, not gonna look that up.

[C]

I was gonna say, I was like, please don't. Okay. Taunting rule.

[B]

It's the worst rule in the NFL. Puka Nua got called for taunting in the game against the Eagles. He catches the ball, he does what a lot of receivers do. It's sort of a flex. He looks towards the stands. An Eagles player got off the ground and stood up and the referee must have considered that taunting at the player. Number one. It's a terrible adaption of the rule to say that that was taunting. Also. Who are we kidding here? This is a violent game played against men who scream things at each other, who talk kinds of trash. You're allowed to flex looking there, but you can't look there. It's an absurd rule. And the league with their holier than thou. We're going to crack down on this and then you'll hear this crap. Kids are watching. Shut up. This is pro football. This is not peewee football. Let these guys play, yell at each other. I don't care about taunting. Doesn't bother me. And especially if you're allowed to celebrate the play, why can't now you. There could be. I mean, obviously anything physical, you pushing another player is different. But taunting, just looking at them and saying something is absurd to me. I hate it. I hate the rule.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, that's fair.

[A]

Daniel Tosh had a bit about taunting. He's like, I don't care. The whole premise of the joke was like, I don't care if you have a 10 minute tea party in the end zone. He's like, also, this is a game where linebackers take wide receivers heads off when they go over the middle of the field. He's like, that linebacker should be able to also taunt in that guy's face as he's carted off the field. Like, yeah, that is what we're like. This is a violent sport. I couldn't agree more. And it's like feelings like the. What? What is that like? I don't know. I. I just don't like it at all.

[C]

Well, I agree with the holier than thou aspect of like. Oh, well, we would never. We don't want to have the taunting because that's not in the spirit of the game. And it's like. I don't think. I don't know if football's in the spirit of.

[A]

Yeah. And again, you. You get up, you push somebody. If you. Michael, if you spit in somebody's face.

[B]

Absolutely. Well, that's even beyond taunting.

[A]

Agreed.

[B]

In any type of physical contact that way. And also we would know taunting. I guess there would be a level that I would say, you know, if you jump down, got right in the guy's face. So Jalen Carter, who has been an idiot for the Eagles this year, blocks a field goal. He's walking off the field. He is 20 yards away from the opponent, and he's yelling at one of the other players. They're pointing at each other and they throw a flag for. You guys are on the sidelines. How often have you seen players yelling at the other players on the.

[A]

Pretty much every play.

[B]

All the time. Yeah, it happens. I just think when they have these. It's a point of emphasis. Please stop with this. In the NFL, it's a joke. Which leads me into my other Take that I have said for you guys. The amount of money they take out of the pocket of these players is absurd. I looked at the fines and this is what the now contact with official. All those things. Absolutely. Striking, kicking, kneeling, all those things are absolutely. But a face mask penalty. You get a face mask penalty in the game, you are fined $11,593 for a play that happens in the game. Second offense is 17,000. Hit on a defenseless player. There was a terrible call against the Rams in that game, too.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Call the defenseless player. The offensive player comes down, it's in the middle of the game, it's $17,000. A running back or a player lowering their head to make a hit.

[A]

Yeah, Saquon, he had it.

[B]

It was his second offense. It was $46,000.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

By the way, a backup running back would get the same fine at $46,000. This league, I think they hate their own players. They want to take money from them all the time. It's a tough game without guaranteed money, and they cannot wait to find them for uniform violations. Taunting. Something happens in the game. I know it happens. In baseball, there are certain things you get fined for, but most of the time it's just, you know.

[A]

Yeah, you.

[B]

You get thrown out of the game. I'm sure there's a fine you. There's other things, but no one likes to take money from their players more than the NFL.

[C]

Leaving bench area during a fight, $12,000.

[B]

Yeah, fighting. I mean, even those things I might give you.

[C]

No, but not even leaving like fighting. Sure. If you want to find for fighting, sure. But leaving the bench area during a fight, $12,000.

[B]

But you guys see it every week. It comes out this guy, fine. This guy find. And they're plays in the game that are officiated. Oh, and by the way, they don't go back and change the call like it happened in the. Now I'm curious about this. In the Chiefs Giants game Sunday night, I think it was scatter Boo or somebody goes to catch a pass. Blatant Nick Bolton blatant face mask. They don't call it in the game. I think the league still goes back and finds him.

[A]

Yeah, Saquon.

[B]

Wasn't Saquon penalized, so they missed it. Yeah, they don't change it even though it's blatant on camera.

[A]

Correct. If it's a bad call that they wouldn't get money from, they'll let it slide. But if it's a call they missed, they'll get money from. And also, sorry, this camera is picking up Catalana's laptop. So Catalan has probably been fuzzy for like the last.

[B]

Oh, I've been fuzzy all day today.

[A]

Yeah, clearly.

[C]

Well, punchy.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All right.

[A]

Anything else you want, like our 1:00pm or 1:00am podcast.

[C]

Yeah, that guy.

[A]

That was. That was awesome.

[C]

That got wacky.

[B]

Zero percent. Hey, look, I have. The Colts is the best team and the Chiefs as one of the worst. How about that?

[C]

What Upside down land are we living in?

[A]

My other thing I want to say about the NFL and like, so far, like week three was. Was blackout drunk.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, it was just the insanity of those games, the witching hour, all of those things.

[B]

And especially since the. The slate of games looked terrible coming in. These games were like, oh, this is what we have.

[A]

Special teams matter. Like, this is. This is one of those games where on Wednesday I'm sure somebody will bring up it. Deshaun McDermott. Maybe it'll be. But like, you're watching those games and you're going, oh, we gotta. We gotta make sure we button some stuff up. Because of the amount of blocked kicks on. On top of it, the Bills probably should have had their kick back in Week 1 blocked because of a blown assignment, also on a field goal attempt. So it's just crazy. It's all these things where it's like you just take it for granted. It's a 42 yard kick and that, that's it. And then somebody's running back the other way. Covering a spread.

[C]

Who would that be?

[A]

I didn't have. I. I will say I did not have the Rams plus three and a half but my thoughts and prayers to everybody.

[B]

But you did have the over.

[A]

I did have the over. I told you that.

[B]

Yeah, big, big week from.

[A]

Yeah, it ended up not being a big week.

[B]

No late games.

[A]

Packers lost, the Patriots fumbled twice inside the two yard line. Took points away from that game and Falcons didn't show up.

[C]

Patriots red zone.

[A]

So we, we started out 4 and 1 and finished 5 and 4. Winning week.

[B]

Winning week winning something. We got things to work on. But it's hard to win in this league.

[A]

Yes, it's hard to win. It's hard to win against Vegas.

[C]

Imagine that. Yeah, it's almost like they don't want you get to get money.

[A]

It's crazy.

[C]

I should have been on Syracuse.

[A]

You can't.

[B]

Yeah, you can't in New York State.

[A]

Can't bet it.

[C]

Oh, just kidding. I would never gamble either way.

[B]

Yes, Lincoln Hill Farms.

[C]

Yes. Tell everyone about it.

[B]

Five to seven podcast seven to eight. It's in Canada. New York. If you've ever been to cmac, it's not far from there. Cool setup. And now they're gonna have food trucks. They're gonna have. Of course, Bud Light is our big sponsor.

[A]

And hay rides.

[B]

Hey, rides. Yes. Hayrides. So yeah, bring the kids, come down. We'll be there five to seven talking everybody. Talking football bills and everything. And then doing the podcast 7 to 8.

[C]

Gonna be a whole bunch of fun again this Thursday. That'll be so. We would love to see you there. Obviously. We always love meeting and getting to hang out with everyone. Talking bills, all that fun stuff.

[B]

I'm afraid to see my fat head.

[A]

I look at it every day.

[C]

Very much so. Okay. For my Catalana and Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to like comment, subscribe and share. And thank you so much for watching the league presented by Stellar Roofing Windows and Siding. That'll do it for us here I on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel.