Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus – "THE LEAGUE: The BILLS may NOT be 'GREAT' but is ANYONE 'ELITE' in the AFC?"

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana (A), Dan Fetes (B)
Guest Host: Jenna Cottrell (off air this episode)

Episode Overview

This episode zooms out from the week-to-week grind of Buffalo Bills football for a wide-lens discussion of the AFC: Are the Bills mediocre—or is the entire conference just wobbly? Mike and Dan dissect recent Bills games, AFC contenders’ flaws, and the notion that while Buffalo is struggling, there's no clearly "elite" team standing in their way. The episode also features breakdowns of NFL power rankings, specific player performances, and memorable moments from Buffalo's recent Houston matchup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Bills and AFC Parity

Main takeaway:

• The Bills may be "not great," but no one in the AFC looks elite.
• "The bad news is the Bills may not be good. The good news is nobody in the AFC may be good." – Dan (00:07)

AFC Rundown & Bills' Week

• Defense is an easy scapegoat, but offensive inconsistencies are killing the Bills.
• Watching the rest of the league made Mike feel better about Buffalo—because every AFC contender has visible weaknesses.
• Teams like the Colts have potential but lack a winning edge; "They don't know how to win yet." – Mike (02:00)
• Even top quarterbacks (Mahomes, Burrow, Lamar) are in slumps or rusty.
• The AFC playoff race will be "so much about matchups" due to lack of dominant teams.
• "Between injuries and ineffective play...I think it's wide open." – Mike (07:28)

2. The Elusiveness of "Elite" in the AFC

• "Is there one team you wouldn’t want to face?" becomes an open debate.
• Dan backs Denver as his sleeper: the Broncos' defense, home-field advantage (altitude, tough crowd), and wild-card QB Bo Nix give them a scary profile (08:14).
• Patriots still efficient but have warts; no juggernaut emerges in the East, though Mike concedes they are "likely AFC East champs" (28:11).
• "Normally it's top-heavy," Mike says of AFC playoffs—this year, parity reigns (09:28).

3. Dissecting the Houston Game: Problems and Silver Linings

• Offensive line struggles, but nuanced critique:
  • Injuries and a highly physical Texans defense left the OL battered; also Allen, WRs contributed to issues (13:12–14:16).
  • Some sacks due to Allen holding ball/lack of open receivers (12:23–14:18).
• Defense held up well in second half ("61 yards given up after half" – noted by McDermott, 11:05), but offensive failure overshadowed it.
  • "The offense was so bad that it took away from what the defense did pretty well." – Dan (11:05)
• Joe Brady's play-calling criticized as "vanilla" and predictable (14:30–17:02).
  • "That was such a vanilla game plan by Joe Brady." – Dan (14:30)
  • Repeated "mesh" concepts telegraphed plays, WRs not winning against man coverage.
  • Defenses show "no respect"—single high, man coverage even on 3rd and long (17:35–18:32).
• Run game positive (James Cook 128 yards), but didn’t force D to respect the pass at all (19:16–19:29).
  • "Even that didn't create any more respect for the passing game." – Mike (19:22)
• Deion Dawkins’ false start, missed TD (Gabe Davis’ catch just out) among critical moments in a thin-margin game (16:12).

4. Personnel & Locker Room Notes

• OL injuries: Dawkins (impacted but cleared for concussion), McGovern (hurt, played through), Brown (blocked with one arm against All-Pro, 13:13–13:21).
• Wide receiver crisis: None consistently winning vs. man coverage; opposing defenses adjust accordingly.
• Broadcast confusion over Keon Coleman (mistakenly portrayed as injured, actually benched for disciplinary reasons, 21:38–22:52).
• Dan: "I have thought about this team the same way for four years: They'll go as far as Josh Allen's back will carry them." (18:48–19:11)
• "They haven't been good on the road." – Both (10:36, 19:12)

5. Notable Performances & "Grab of the Week"

• Ray Davis' 97-yard kickoff return TD: The "bright spot" as White Claw Grab of the Week (20:15–20:39).
• Gabe Davis' end-zone catch: nearly spectacular, but didn't come down in bounds (21:08).
• Joe Brady/OL accountability—nuanced; not just blaming the OL, but acknowledgment that they had a rough day (12:53–14:18).

Memorable Quotes

• "The bad news is the Bills may not be good. The good news is nobody in the AFC may be good." – Dan (00:07)
• "Between injuries and ineffective play, I think it's wide open." – Mike (07:28)
• "It is going to come down to so much about matchups, because even the Ravens...didn't look impressive against a bad Jets team." – Dan (06:11)
• "This team will go as far as Josh Allen's back will carry them." – Dan (19:11)
• "That was such a vanilla game plan by Joe Brady." – Dan (14:30)
• "The lack of respect that an opposing defense has for your wide receivers is staggering." – Dan (18:17)
• "Even that didn't create any more respect for the passing game." – Mike (19:22)

Power Rankings and League Overview

Bottom Five:

• Titans, Raiders, Commanders, Jets, Giants (24:30–26:51)
• Giants as the lowest due to entire organizational meltdown.

Top Five:

• Bears, Broncos, Patriots, (no 2), Rams (27:11–29:19)
• Rams seen as head-and-shoulders favorites; Stafford and Adams highlighted.
• Honorable mentions: Colts (just outside), Seattle considered but trust issues with Sam Darnold.

Additional Notable Moments (with Timestamps)

• AFC QBs in slumps: (07:03–07:35)
• Denver home-field danger discussed: (08:14–09:18)
• 4th-and-27 conversion/Gabe Davis effort: (16:04–16:11)
• Al Michaels criticism / Keon Coleman broadcast confusion: (21:37–22:52)

Conclusion

The Bills’ flaws are undeniable—predictable offense, battered O-line, and no clear WR2. But this year’s AFC may not punish them as harshly as in seasons past, because no true elite has emerged. Denver’s defense and home field are seen as the scariest playoff opponent, while the Rams are considered the NFL’s best team overall. Respect for Buffalo's defense in recent games is merited, but the weight of heavier matchups looms. As always, the Bills’ fate rides on Josh Allen playing at his best.

Listen to this episode for:

• Insightful, candid Bills analysis
• Honest takes on AFC mediocrity
• Entertaining breakdowns of NFL teams’ current trajectories
• A dash of fan perspective and podcast banter