Buffalo Plus: THE LEAGUE – Ranking the BEST & the WORST of the AFC (Aug 26, 2025)

Episode Overview

The Buffalo Plus crew—Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, and Dan Fetes—break down the current state of the AFC ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The conversation dives into divisional rankings, quarterback questions, coaching hot seats, organizational stability, and predictions for playoff teams. A special segment also announces a live event at the Thirsty Turtle on September 4th. The tone is lively, with friendly banter and sharp opinions, combining insider knowledge with engaging debates.

Special Announcement: Buffalo Plus Live Event

• Thirsty Turtle, Victor, NY – September 4, 5:00–7:00 PM
  • Meet & greet, live podcast, raffles, and outdoor games.
  • Coincides with the first day of the NFL season.
  • “It’s going to be so much fun. The last time we were out there—awesome crowd, great to meet everybody.” — Jenna (01:11)

Key Discussion Points by Division

AFC North

Ravens: The Class of the Division?

• Roster Assessment: Stability at ownership, GM (Eric DeCosta), and head coach (John Harbaugh).
• Addition of Malachi Starks (safety), Derrick Henry (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR).
• Mike: “The Ravens might be the best team in the NFL coming into the year, right?” (06:00)
• Derrick Henry’s Outlook: Jenna doubts his staying power; Mike sees him as “a force of nature” if used smartly (07:50).
• Notable Quote: “If they’re smart, you know, Lamar can handle a lot of the workload in terms of scoring points for them. It just makes it so much easier when you have Derrick Henry.” — Mike (08:00)

Bengals: Defensive Concerns & Organizational Discord

• Lingered outside playoffs last year (9-8 record).
• Defense: “Their defense stinks.” — Mike (04:21)
• Zach Taylor considered on the hot seat.
• Uncertainty around handling player contracts (Trey Hendrickson, WR signings).
• Joe Burrow remains a franchise tier QB but organization questioned.

Steelers: Stability Masking Mediocrity?

• Ownership remains the most stable (Rooney family).
• Mike Tomlin: “A team that always wins nine games, a relatively stable organization…” — Mike (10:30)
• New QB, questions about handling “big personalities.”
• Banter: “Standard is the standard.” — Group on Tomlin’s slogans (14:26)

Browns: Chaos and Quarterback Carousel

• Ownership (Haslams) called out for interference.
• QB situation “wild” — Joe Flacco, Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson all in the room (16:07).
• Shador Sanders: Noted for off-field spectacle; criticized for preseason performance.
• “That is just wild. And everybody believes they're in the market for a quarterback next year.” — Jenna (16:07)

Division Summary: Ravens seen as the clear frontrunner; Bengals and Steelers could flip spots; Browns remain mired in instability.

AFC East

Bills: The Standard Bearer

• Still considered the best in the division.
• Discussion of young safety likely to start and roster tweaks.

Jets: Ascending Challenger

• Predicted to finish second.
• Mike: “I just kind of like the atmosphere of the Jets. I think it's back to being about football for them.” (18:06)
• Defense talent praised; offense considered “good enough.”

Patriots: Rebuilding under Vrabel

• Roster called “least talented,” but Vrabel’s coaching expected to maximize results.
• Organizational infrastructure behind due to Belichick’s legacy; needs investment.
• “He has proven that over the years, he has done more with less than most coaches.” — Dan (19:13)

Dolphins: Wheels Coming Off

• Both McDaniel and GM Chris Grier considered on the hot seat.
• Locker room, culture, and leadership issues highlighted.
• “I think this is the time they start making major moves. I think Tua survives… I think Mike McDaniel gets fired at the end of the year.” — Mike (21:14)

Division Summary: Bills remain atop, Jets a solid second, Patriots expected to overperform, Dolphins predicted collapse.

AFC South

Texans: The Lone Legitimate Organization

• Unanimous pick to win the South.
• Nick Caserio (GM), DeMeco Ryans (HC) highly praised.
• Defense with Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley strengthens identity.
• CJ Stroud: Expected to bounce back and “dominate the division” if the offensive line holds up.
• “They are the only legitimate team… only legitimate franchise in the division.” — Mike (24:49)

Jaguars/Colts/Titans: The Rest

• Jags: Brian Thomas Jr. highlighted, organization called “bad,” Trevor Lawrence underachieving.
• Colts: Ownership transition, Chris Ballard on hot seat, Daniel Jones at QB, still have Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman.
• Titans: Rookie Cam Ward labeled possible bright spot amid overall struggles.
• “Flip a coin… it really is going to be inconsequential.” — Mike on picking second place (43:14)

Division Summary: Texans clear front-runners; the rest expected to scramble to .500 or below.

AFC West

Chiefs: Still Kings, But For How Much Longer?

• Ownership (Hunt family), GM (Brett Veach), Andy Reid, and Steve Spagnuolo praised for stability.
• Anticipated offensive shift: “I think they're going to play. I think they're going to throw the ball a lot, and I think they're going to try to throw it deep a lot.” — Mike (36:52)
• Competition in division ramping up—potential for “fatigue” to impact Super Bowl runners-up.
• Travis Kelce: Questions about age, focus, and motivation.
  • “He was awful in the Super Bowl…almost looked disinterested.” — Mike (40:26)

Broncos: Trending Up, But Not There Yet

• Defense praised; offense still doubted beyond Bo Nix’s strong rookie showing.
• “They're Super Bowl adjacent contenders, but I don't think they're Super Bowl contenders.” — Dan (28:55)
• Concerns about team maturity and readiness for big moments after “celebrating a week 18 win like their Super Bowl.” — Dan (33:02)

Chargers: ‘Blocked the Number’

• High national expectations: Jim Harbaugh’s arrival, Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey.
• “He was so bad in his playoff appearances… He could play for the Steelers.” — Mike (33:27)
• Dan: “It’s the ex-girlfriend you’ve called too many times… I don’t know why we keep going back to… I’ve deleted and blocked the number.” (32:54)

Raiders: Improved, But Still the Floor

• Coaching and QB situation now “adults” in the room.
• Not expected to contend but will be a “harder out.”

Division Summary: Chiefs remain on top, Broncos and Chargers/Chargers and Raiders fighting for playoff contention, Raiders the “floor.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sean McDermott has a way better resume with less talent, less MVPs, less Pro Bowlers, less All Pros. And John Harbaugh gets this prestigiousness.” — Dan (00:00, 09:04)
• On AFC North: “Division of mediocrity… it's a division of mediocrity.” — Dan (09:04)
• On the Patriots: “He has proven that over the years, he has done more with less than most coaches.” — Dan (19:13)
• “They’re legally allowed to [make the playoffs].” — Dan on the Patriots’ postseason hopes (47:00)
• “It's the ex girlfriend you've called too many times… I blocked the number.” — Dan on the Chargers (32:54)
• On culture: “It just gets overlooked, the fact of what the culture that Sean McDermott has built, what it's been able to withstand, what it's been able to do for all of these years...” — Dan (21:18)

Rankings & Predictions

Division Picks

AFC West:

• Chiefs (all three)
• Broncos (second)
• Chargers/Raiders (third/fourth, debated)

AFC South:

• Texans (consensus)
• Colts/Jags (coin flip for second)
• Titans last

AFC North:

• Ravens (all)
• Bengals/Steelers (debated second)
• Browns usually last

AFC East:

• Bills (all)
• Jets (most)
• Patriots (second in Dan’s view)
• Dolphins last

Wild Card/Playoff Teams

• Consensus wild cards: Broncos, Bengals (possibly Chargers, Patriots, or Jets)
• “I think the West is the best division, which would make you think they could [send two wild cards], but they're going to beat each other up a little bit.” — Mike (47:07)

Hot Seats

• Mike McDaniel (Dolphins)
• Zach Taylor (Bengals)
• Kevin Stefanski (Browns)
• Tomlin's job security solid, but “if it goes off the rails…” (48:55)

Fun/Easter Eggs

• Extended debate over the word “prestigiousness.” (09:56, 10:03)
• College roommate nicknames and Roman numerals (“IV is the coolest.”) (12:48)
• “You say it like a bangle. Like a bracelet.” — Playful riff on the Bengals’ name (44:03)

Important Timestamps

• Thirsty Turtle Event Announcement: 00:44–01:45, 49:29–50:12
• AFC North Deep Dive: 04:55–17:14
• AFC East: 17:16–22:32
• AFC South: 23:34–27:47
• AFC West: 27:47–35:15
• Predictions & Hot Seats: 41:05–49:09

Tone & Approach

• Signature Buffalo Plus humor and chemistry.
• Insightful, data-driven conversation mixed with candid personal takes.
• Tough critiques especially on coaching, front office management, and intangibles like “culture.”

For Listeners:

If you missed the episode, this summary gives a complete map of the crew’s hottest takes, reasons behind their rankings, and who they think will rise and fall in the AFC this season—plus plenty of the friendly ribbing and deep Buffalo knowledge that defines the Buffalo Plus channel.