Buffalo Plus Podcast: "THERAPY SESSION: What do the BILLS need to PROVE against the PANTHERS!?"

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Podcast Theme: A deep-dive "therapy session" discussing Bills frustrations, standards, expectations for the Panthers game, post-bye week resets, and what Buffalo needs to prove as they approach a crucial stretch of the season.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode is labeled a "therapy session," with the Buffalo Plus team venting and processing the Buffalo Bills' recent struggles. The group debates what the Bills need to show in the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers—whether a simple win is enough or if a dominant performance is required for fans to regain faith. They break down positional concerns, coaching, player development, offensive predictability, and broader organizational issues. Listener comments fuel passionate discussion around standards, expectations, and what a "get right" game should look like, all delivered with the hosts' signature humor and candor.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. What's at Stake vs. the Panthers? Setting the Standard

• Initial Expectation: When the schedule was released, the Panthers game post-bye was seen as a guaranteed win ("That's cute. Oh, that's nice. Ah, that's a win. Moving on." —Jenna [01:17]), but now it's critical to avoid a three-game losing streak and "erase at least some of the mess of the last two weeks." —Dan [01:46]

• Dan's Rant: The Bills can't afford a "hindsight win"—they must dominate to show they're a championship-caliber team. "If they don't win by double digits in this game, I don't want to talk about playoffs...because you're no longer in that conversation." [04:36]

• Mike's Counter: Cautions that “style points” don’t prove playoff readiness. "You could win this game by three touchdowns and go get hammered by the Chiefs the next week and nobody's going to think of you any differently." [06:00]

• Jenna's Input: Emphasizes the importance of confidence and momentum. "I think that confidence and swagger is something that this team has been missing...I think it's important to get those wins and have them be dominant to show." [08:48]

• Consensus: While domination would be ideal, the baseline is playing smarter, reducing penalties, rediscovering identity, and simply looking like themselves post-bye.

  "If they play an A game and win by three, that's a problem." —Dan [17:08]

2. Identity Crisis & The "Get Right" Game

• Recent Failings: Atlanta was supposed to be a "get right" game and the Bills "laid an egg," echoing the Patriots game. "Apparently they snoozed through that wakeup call." —Dan [00:00]/[09:17]
• What Needs Fixing: Hosts want to see improvements in basic execution: fewer penalties, disciplined defense, play-calling that leverages strengths.
• Post-Bye Reset: Emphasis on using the bye to address "core things on defense," smarter offense, and regaining physicality: "Start with the simple: tackle, run the ball, be the more physical team." —Mike [14:17]

3. Defensive Line Reinforcements & Depth

• White Claw Grab of the Week [20:41]: Bills get Michael Hoyt and Larry Ogunjobi back after suspension.

• Expectations: Neither will be "saviors," but they should "raise the floor" of the defense and bring needed energy and depth.

• Fan Perspective: Their return is felt as a morale boost but not a solution to all defensive woes.

  "What they can be is raise the floor. That's what I think you're hoping for is to get a little bit of a boost... You're adding new juice, new energy to the locker room." —Dan [22:04]

4. Draft & Roster Construction Critique

• Listener Question: Are Bean's bad draft picks and signings to blame? Some high draft picks injured or not impactful (Max, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson).
• Host Take: The draft has not delivered supplemental top-end talent. The Bills largely rely on re-signing their core but lack replenishment.
• Pass-Catching Issues: Dalton Kincaid has improved as a receiver but isn't the balanced, in-line tight end sometimes needed—he's almost a "big wide receiver." This contributes to offensive predictability.

5. Offensive Predictability: Dalton Kincaid & Personnel Usage

• Stat Breakdown: Kincaid is on the field ~47% of snaps; when he’s in, the Bills pass 78% of the time. This makes the offense predictable.

• Blocking Concerns: He's improved blocking on the perimeter (e.g., wide receiver screens) but isn't asked to block true DEs or lead run plays.

• Big Picture: Joe Brady (OC) gets some credit for leveraging strengths, but the lack of balance and predictability needs adjusting—both for immediate success and sustainable offense.

  "So you don't like Dalton because he's a tight end. You like him because of his wide receiver skillset." —Dan [33:38]

6. On Coaching, Play-Calling, and Scheme

• Offensive Coordination: Joe Brady has faced criticism for getting "too cute" and not running enough or being too predictable with certain packages.

• Adjustment Required: It's a chess match, and Brady has to develop counters now that defense has tape on his tendencies.

• Physicality: Bills need to play "their brand"—run the ball, use play action, be more physical (especially in the offensive line).

  "They were not the more physical team against Atlanta or New England. They were reactionary." —Dan [38:14]

7. Secondary/Safety Play Woes

• Fan Concerns: Safety play has been poor. The group expresses skepticism about both drafting and the reliance on veterans.
• Poyer Question: If performance doesn’t improve, try Poyer: "Screw it, see what Poyer can do." —Dan [41:54]
• Character vs. Talent: Some fans argue the Bills draft for character over talent; hosts push back, saying it comes down to making plays.

8. Wide Receiver Issues & Trade Talk

• Keon Coleman's Development: Big play in Baltimore, little production since. Drawing PI flags, making clutch catches hasn't materialized.
• Possible Trade/Acquisition: Discussion of trading for a proven WR, like Chris Olave ("He'd be the number one receiver on the team, no question." —Mike [48:29]), and residual skepticism about elevating Gabe Davis, who "didn’t get open," especially post-injury.

9. "Picasso’s Player of the Game" Predictions & Keys

• Jenna: Josh Allen – Focus on his discipline, leadership, and return to form post-bye. [51:03]
• Mike: James Cook – Wants him featured and to "let him cook," especially after underuse in Atlanta. [52:34]
• Dan: Ed Oliver – Looking for disruption on the interior D-line vs. Carolina's run attack. [54:21]

10. Game Predictions & What Constitutes "Enough"

• Mike's Pick: Bills 23–17 (won’t cover, won’t meet Dan’s blowout standard) [55:13]
• Dan’s Ideal: Wants to see at least 30 points; expects/wants a convincing win, minimum double digits: "Bills win by double digits, 30 to 20." [55:26]
• Jenna: Bills by double digits, 27–17 [55:41]
• Chat Predicts: Ranged from 27–23 to 42–14, with 40+ point hopes and calls for "no punts" [56:05–56:29]
• Consensus: A loss would be cause for panic; close win would not restore belief or momentum. "Should we panic [if lose]? Yes." —Dan & Jenna [56:24]

MEMORABLE QUOTES & TIMESTAMPS

• "This game is a must cover. This game is a must dominate. This game is a must look impressive for the Bills..." —Dan [04:36]
• "You can't really prove anything about being that team by blowing out the Panthers. …You need to win the game because you could win this game by three touchdowns and go get hammered by the Chiefs the next week and nobody's going to think of you any differently." —Mike [05:36/06:00]
• "Confidence and swagger is something that this team has been missing...be efficient, be able to execute, and to win a game in dominant fashion can do a lot for this team..." —Jenna [08:48]
• "If they play an A game and win by three, that’s a problem." —Dan [17:08]
• "You don't like Dalton because he's a tight end. You like him because of his wide receiver skill set." —Dan [33:38]
• "I want the Bills to play their A game because I don't think they've played their A game this year." —Dan [16:53]
• "We just haven't seen it. He's got 125 yards since the Baltimore game." —Dan on Keon Coleman [43:43]
• "They were not the more physical team against Atlanta or New England. They were reactionary." —Mike [38:14]
• "If the Bills lose to the Panthers, should we panic? Yes." —Dan, Jenna [56:24]

OTHER NOTABLE MOMENTS & FAN INTERACTION

• Fan Engagement: Hosts actively read and debate live chat comments, including taking sides in the Dan vs. Mike blowout argument, discussing draft/culture complaints, and fielding questions about player usage and upcoming trades.
• Humor, Running Gags, and Banter: The show kept a light, conversational tone, with laughs about t-shirt gifts (the infamous “Ford Theater, one star” Abe Lincoln shirt) [61:04]. There were also fun stories about lost-and-found cash at home, credit to family members, and gratitude for fan encounters.
• Shoutouts: Mike gives special mention to several fans, families, and even McDonald’s employees who support the show [57:10–58:01].
• Meta Themes: "Therapy" vibe is consistent—hosts and fans vent frustration, but with humor, commiseration, and an underlying sense of community.

STRUCTURE OF THE EPISODE

• 00:00–01:17: Opening comments/frustrations; setting the “therapy session” tone
• 01:17–09:17: What the Panthers game means; the team standard, blowout vs. 'just win' debate
• 09:17–16:00: What “getting right” looks like; post-bye expectations; importance of momentum
• 16:00–23:00: Defensive reinforcements; White Claw Grab of the Week; depth talk
• 23:00–29:00: Draft class issues; Kincaid deep-dive; offensive predictability
• 29:00–38:00: Offensive play-calling; run/pass balance; identity crisis
• 38:00–43:00: Safety issues, trade talk, defensive struggles
• 43:00–47:00: Receivers, Keon Coleman, Gabe Davis, WR urgency
• 47:00–50:00: Fan predictions, more WR trade hypotheticals
• 50:00–56:00: Picasso Player of the Game selections; score predictions
• 56:00–62:00: Fun, stories, community, lost money anecdote, shirt gifts
• 62:00–End: Final thoughts, future live pod promotion, and thank-yous

USEFUL FOR LISTENERS WHO MISSED THE EPISODE BECAUSE:

• You get both the temperature and the substance—what’s wrong with the Bills, what the fans/hosts expect, what would and wouldn’t be 'enough' from Carolina.
• Several detailed, statistical, and narrative breakdowns of key play-calling and personnel use issues (Kincaid, Cook).
• Clear sense of how this Panthers game is perceived as a tipping point not just for the standings, but for team culture and fan confidence.
• Entertaining inside jokes, banter, and “therapy” moments keep it highly listenable.

TL;DR

If the Bills are serious about being contenders, this Panthers game must be more than a win—it needs to be convincing, disciplined, and a reset in every facet. Win ugly and doubts remain; dominate, and the belief can begin to rebuild. The episode, blending stats and passion, sets the emotional and strategic stakes for the most pivotal “get right” game yet.