Buffalo Plus Podcast: "What they're saying about BILLS vs BRONCOS in DENVER with Henry Chisholm"

Episode Date: January 8, 2025
Guests: Mike Catalana (Host, Buffalo Plus), Henry Chisholm (DNVR Sports, Denver)
Main Theme:
In this playoff special, the Buffalo Plus team gets a detailed scouting report on the Denver Broncos from Denver reporter Henry Chisholm. The discussion ranges from Denver’s surprising emergence, Bo Nix’s rookie season, key offensive and defensive players, coaching philosophies, and strategies for the all-important upcoming playoff clash with the Buffalo Bills.

Episode Overview

The episode offers Bills fans and NFL followers an in-depth preview of the playoff matchup against the Denver Broncos, focusing on the Broncos' personnel, journey back to the postseason, rookie QB Bo Nix’s development, evolving offensive identity, and the impact of Vance Joseph's and Sean Payton’s leadership on both sides of the ball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Broncos’ Return to the Playoffs

• Nine-Year Drought Ends: After nine years, Denver is back in the playoffs, which is significant given the franchise's winning history. (01:10)
• Fan Sentiment: Denver fans are “happy to be here” after such a long absence, reflecting relief more than Super Bowl expectation. (32:28)

Bo Nix: Denver’s Rookie Quarterback

• Scouting and Intangibles:
  • “Nix is a gamer... he's gritty, he's tough, he fires his teammates up. He fits the mold that you want for a quarterback...” (Henry Chisholm, 01:52)
  • His underestimated athleticism and ability to escape pressure have surprised both coaches and media in Denver. (03:17)
• Strengths:
  • Keeps eyes downfield and extends plays in a fashion reminiscent of Baker Mayfield, though possibly more clinical. (04:32)
  • “He has very good senses in the pocket... he’s escaping, he’s keeping his eyes downfield... he loves to throw those pump fakes.” (03:17)
• Weaknesses:
  • Struggles hitting consistent downfield throws and can be too conservative, missing occasional deep shots. (06:40)
  • Occasionally misreads coverages, but that has improved through the year.
• Comparison:
  • Frequently compared to Baker Mayfield in size, toughness, and improvisation, but with a different risk/reward balance. (04:51)
• Mental Readiness:
  • While Nix may show early playoff jitters, Henry doesn’t expect the moment to overwhelm him for long. (31:23)

Key Playmakers on Offense

• Courtland Sutton:
  • Denver’s most reliable offensive weapon with 81 catches, 1,000 yards, 8 TDs; the one piece they can count on week-to-week. (08:20)
  • “He's a true X receiver...Cortland Sutton and Justin Jefferson were the only two receivers...with seven consecutive games with 60 or more receiving yards.” (08:20)
• Marvin Mims:
  • Praised for rapid development this season, especially after shifting to innovative usage as a runner/returner and deep threat. (10:13)
  • “Everything kind of became unlocked...when they started playing him at running back...getting him the ball on screens...” (10:13)
• Running Game:
  • Described as “sporadic at best”—Denver has struggled to find a consistent lead back. (12:31)
  • Multiple RBs have been tried (Javonte Williams, Jalil McLaughlin, Audric Estime), but none have grabbed the job.

Sean Payton’s Influence and Approach

• Coaching Personality:
  • Seen as a “program builder,” Payton instilled toughness and old-school values. Players reportedly love his approach behind closed doors, even if he’s prickly publicly. (14:48)
  • “He made this team tougher. He made them work hard in training camp...instilled real football values into this team.” (15:32)
• Playcalling & QB Development:
  • Payton’s offensive scheme and adjustments have been crucial to Nix’s growth.

Defensive Evolution Under Vance Joseph

• Unique Return:
  • Joseph’s arc from former head coach to current respected defensive coordinator is rare in NFL history. (17:55–19:38)
  • “He’s worked some magic here...the third ranked scoring defense. You led the NFL in sacks...most ever for a Broncos team.” (18:21)
• Pass Rush:
  • Led by Nick Bonito (14 sacks, 21:20), Jonathan Cooper, and Zach Allen, Denver’s front has propelled the team to 63 sacks—the most in the NFL and Broncos history (22:26).
• Coverage Synergy:
  • The defense’s “rush and cover” identity has allowed All-Pro Pat Surtain II and others to excel, making third downs especially difficult for opponents (25:09–26:11).
• Surtain’s Role vs. Bills:
  • The lack of an obvious Bills' “#1 receiver” could make it tougher for Surtain and the Denver D to dictate matchups. (26:11–27:23)

Buffalo’s Offensive Identity

• The Bills are the first team ever with 30+ offensive rushing AND passing TDs; their TD production is widely dispersed.
• “Allen’s most touchdowns he has to a pass catcher is Mack Hollins with five. The guy might very well win MVP with that, which is...kind of wild.” (27:23)
• Despite losing Stefon Diggs, new receivers (Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman) have found roles and stepped up.

Strategic Matchup Breakdown

How Denver Can Upset Buffalo

• Defensively:
  • Stick to aggressive 5-man rushes while trusting the secondary, possibly utilizing a spy on Josh Allen to limit big plays. (28:57)
  • “You collapse the pocket. You expect to need two guys to get to Allen to bring him down.” – Henry Chisholm (28:57)
• Offensively:
  • Likely to air it out with Bo Nix, using empty sets and quick play design rather than relying on an inconsistent ground game. (29:59)
  • Scheme up mismatches, use tempo, and trust Nix to make plays in the passing game against Buffalo’s vulnerable spots.

X-Factors

• Atmosphere:
  • Nix will face an intense, hostile environment in Buffalo’s playoff stadium, a significant challenge for any rookie QB. (28:24)
• Von Miller’s Return:
  • Von Miller, now a Bill, faces his old Broncos team—a fun subplot highlighted late in the episode. (33:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nix’s Growth:

  "He just wants to win. He's going to find a way to win. And over the second half of the season in particular, he's just grown leaps and bounds." — Henry Chisholm (01:52)

• On Comparisons to Baker Mayfield:

  “Maybe not to Baker’s level [of fiery play], because nobody is. But along those lines, for sure...” — Henry Chisholm (04:51)

• On Vance Joseph’s Redemption:

  “He's kind of seen as the beginning of when things went wrong…but now he's back and he's doing a great job…He might be a loved figure in Denver, Colorado, which nobody could have predicted ten years ago.” — Henry Chisholm (18:21)

• On Defensive Identity:

  "It's a rush and cover defense and they've been the best at both. I'm getting teams behind the sticks getting off the field on third downs." — Henry Chisholm (25:09)

• On the Broncos' Mindset:

  "There's a happy to be here vibe…that thought hasn't really been around much this week. Nobody's really talking Super Bowl…because people are just so happy to have gotten over this hump." — Henry Chisholm (32:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:10 — Introduction to Henry Chisholm and the Broncos’ return to the playoffs
• 01:52 — Deep dive on Bo Nix: attitude, development, and X-factors
• 04:32 — Baker Mayfield comparison for Bo Nix
• 06:40 — Bo Nix’s weaknesses and downfield struggles
• 08:20 — Courtland Sutton’s leadership and value
• 10:13 — Marvin Mims’ midseason emergence
• 12:31 — Analysis of the Broncos’ running game woes
• 14:48 — Sean Payton’s culture shift and impact
• 17:55 — Vance Joseph’s coaching redemption and defensive scheme
• 20:58 — Nick Bonito’s breakout season
• 22:26 — Defensive line depth and sack production
• 25:09 — How the pass rush and coverage work in tandem
• 26:11 — Dilemma of Pat Surtain’s assignment vs Bills
• 28:57 — Broncos’ defensive keys to upsetting Buffalo
• 29:59 — Offensive approach: passing game focus
• 31:23 — How Bo Nix handles big moments
• 32:28 — Broncos’ fan base reaction and expectations

Conclusion

This episode delivers a comprehensive, fan-friendly breakdown of the Broncos from a Denver insider, highlighting key names on both sides of the ball, analyzing coaching philosophies, and teeing up anticipation for a high-stakes AFC playoff matchup. Both teams have compelling storylines—Buffalo’s offensive reinvention and Denver’s surprising run behind a rookie QB—with matchup details and emotional context for fans ahead of Sunday’s game.

For more:

• Follow @HenryChisholm on social channels and DNVR Sports on YouTube for Denver perspective
• Subscribe to Buffalo Plus for consistent, in-depth Bills coverage