Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus – Bills vs Jaguars Playoff Preview with Brent Martineau

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
Episode: What They're Saying in JACKSONVILLE: Bills vs Jaguars PLAYOFF PREVIEW with Brent Martineau
Date: January 6, 2026
Host(s): Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Guest: Brent Martineau (CBS 47, Fox 30, Action Sports Jax Network)

Episode Overview

This episode brings in Brent Martineau, a prominent Jacksonville Jaguars reporter, for a deep-dive into the Bills’ upcoming AFC Wild Card matchup against the Jaguars. The Buffalo Plus crew—Mike, Jenna, and Dan—explore the key storylines surrounding both teams, from quarterback performance and offensive philosophy to defensive metrics and organizational culture changes. The show offers fans exclusive insider perspective on both the Jaguars' recent surge and the Buffalo Bills’ outlook in a game many believe could send the winner to the Super Bowl.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Playoff Atmosphere and Fan Dynamics

• Bills Fan Travel: Brent notes the massive turnout of Bills Mafia the last time the teams met in the playoffs and speculates about this year’s attendance, suggesting Jacksonville fans are being encouraged not to sell tickets to Bills fans.
  “In 2017…I think the number was like 12 or 13,000 [Bills fans in Jacksonville]. …I wonder now, since they've gotten used to it a little bit…” (03:33 – Brent Martineau)

• Perception of Both Teams: Both franchises have had periods of playoff famine—Buffalo for 17 years, Jacksonville less accustomed to January football.

2. Jaguars' Offensive Evolution

Trevor Lawrence’s Emergence

• Quarterback Growth: Brent traces Lawrence’s development into a true franchise QB, noting that “swagger” and trust are finally evident. “We’re seeing it a bit different. This is kind of a Trevor that has some swagger, obviously…there’s like a throw or two every game that is like wow…They just believe that it’s okay to put the ball in number 16’s hands and he’s going to get the job done.” (04:02 – Brent Martineau)

The Jacoby Myers Effect

• Midseason Acquisition: Brent calls Myers’ arrival “one of the most significant moments of the season,” pointing to the trust he brought Lawrence and how that transformed the offense’s chemistry. “I’ve been a big Trevor supporter…and I think he just hasn’t had a lot to trust…he trusts Jacoby Myers and that trust started to sprinkle throughout this offense…” (05:42 – Brent Martineau)

• Stat Sheet vs. Impact: Myers’ influence goes beyond box score stats; his reliability lets others like Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange, and Parker Washington flourish.

Offensive Playcalling and Philosophy

• Adaptation: Offensive coordinator Liam Cohen is credited with “par[ing] down” a complex offense post-bye week, letting Lawrence excel.
  “Whatever they are now doing to kind of create the best Trevor Lawrence, they have found it.” (05:42 – Brent Martineau)

• Run Game Usage: The Jags’ reliance on Trevor hasn’t come at the expense of Travis Etienne entirely, but Brent signals uncertainty about Jacksonville's ability (or intent) to grind out games on the ground if needed. “I think Liam Cohen wonders that right now if they need to run in a four minute offense…can they do it?” (13:50 – Brent Martineau)

Spotlight on Key Skill Players

• Brian Thomas Jr.: After a strong rookie year, Thomas struggled with drops and confidence but remains a deep threat; Myers’ presence let him move back outside, his comfort zone.
  “He’s 6’4”, he can fly. And I think he’s still the guy that defenses are afraid of because he can beat you over the top.” (10:07 – Brent Martineau)
• Parker Washington: Elevated after Christian Kirk’s injury, he’s now the Jags’ hottest receiver; compared to Troy Brown (Patriots) for his route-running and return skills. “He reminds me of Troy Brown for the New England Patriots…he can give you that in the passing game…but you look up and all of a sudden he’s got four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.” (12:07 – Brent Martineau)

3. Defense: Real or Mirage?

Run Defense and Context

• Statistics and Skepticism: Jacksonville's run defense is top-ranked but hasn’t consistently faced elite rushing teams.
  “There was a period of time where everybody was like, we’re just going to throw the ball against them. That’s the way to beat them. And so I don’t even think teams were trying to run at times.” (24:35 – Brent Martineau)
• Turnovers: The defense is thriving off turnovers (22 INTs, 31 overall) but isn’t the 2017 “Sacksonville” unit; it’s opportunistic but not always dominant.

Pass Rush and Front Seven

• Key Contributors:
  • Josh Allen (now Josh Hines-Allen): Standout edge presence.
  • Trayvon Walker, Arik Armstead, and Devon Hamilton: Formidable D-line, with Hamilton “playing at a very high level in that unsexy position.”
  • Foyesade Oluokun (LB): “Tackling machine,” highly underrated.
  • Devin Lloyd (LB): Splash plays, versatile.

4. Organizational Culture and Leadership Transformation

• Tony Boselli’s Impact: Hired as EVP, credited with reshaping the franchise culture, fostering transparency and alignment. “…That shared responsibility in some aspects has been very, very rewarding for this Jaguars franchise.” (19:18 – Brent Martineau)

• Youth at Key Positions:

  • First-year GM James Gladstone (35)
  • First-year head coach Liam Cohen (now 40), hired as a head coach for the first time at any level
  • Rookie coordinators on both sides

• Comparison to Detroit: Brent draws parallels to the Lions’ own cultural turnaround after hiring insiders who understood the team’s fanbase and struggles.
  “I thought Detroit was the blueprint…Chris Spielman…he knew the ins and outs of this building…so that’s why I was a big advocate to get Boselli involved.” (22:45 – Brent Martineau)

5. X-Factor—Special Teams

• Jaguars’ Kicking Edge:
  • Rookie Cam Little is described as a fun, unflappable kicker with enormous range (field goals in the 60+ yard range).
  • Liam Cohen’s confidence in Cam Little paid off after early misses.
    “He hasn’t missed since in the second half of the year.” (31:36 – Brent Martineau)
• Bills’ Uncertainty: Questions abound with Matt Prater’s quad injury—could be a playoff difference-maker.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brent Martineau on Trevor Lawrence’s new level:
  "He’s been a great CEO, but he hasn’t always been playing well. And now…they just believe that it’s okay to put the ball in number 16's hands and he’s going to get the job done." (04:02)

• On Jacoby Myers and Trust:
  "He [Myers] has made such a profound impact on the trust part of this...he understands how difficult the position is...he said, 'man, I could catch those passes blindfolded…that's how good the passes are.'" (08:02)

• On Jags’ Defense and Skepticism:
  "The stats will say what you all know, right? Number one, rush defense...But...they have not faced...this murderer's row of running backs." (24:35)

• Debate about Defensive Strength:

  • "What we'll do, Dan will handle this - he'll be like, we talked to an expert in Jacksonville who said the Jags defense isn't as good as everybody thinks. They're no good." (26:29 – Mike)
  • "There's nobody I respect more on Jacksonville than this man, but I think that there needs to be context to it." (26:49 – Dan)

• Brent’s perspective on the importance of culture:
  "I think alignment and transparency are two big things. These guys are very good at communicating…allowing the fans in with transparency in press conferences, in any other way, speaking to them at functions and events…has done a great job of that." (19:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Playoff Fan Dynamics / Opening Reflections – 02:13–03:34
• Jaguars' Offensive Surge & Trevor Lawrence – 04:02–05:29
• Jacoby Myers’ Impact / Trust Themes – 05:42–09:21
• Brian Thomas Jr.'s Role and Development – 10:07–12:00
• Parker Washington’s Emergence – 12:07–13:26
• Run Game Philosophy, ETN – 13:50–17:26
• Liam Cohen and “Duval” Culture – 17:26–18:59
• Boselli and Jaguars Culture Transformation – 19:18–21:15
• Youth Movement in Jaguars Leadership – 22:45–23:55
• Defensive Stat Skepticism & Debate – 24:08–27:45
• Jags D-Line and Pass Rush – 28:38–30:59
• Special Teams—Cam Little vs. Bills’ Kicking Uncertainty – 30:59–32:30
• Final Thoughts on the Matchup – 32:52–33:43

Conclusion

The episode delivers a multifaceted, insider preview of Bills-Jaguars, blending pragmatic analysis with local insights and some good-natured ribbing. Jacksonville’s offensive maturity under Trevor Lawrence, driven by trust and a cohesive staff, is a central storyline—yet questions remain about their run game and whether the defense is as formidable as the stats suggest. For the Bills, the challenge is to solve a Jaguars team that has found its identity and culture but may still be riding the highs of favorable schedule luck. The game’s X-factors—crowd presence and special teams—are set to play a pivotal role in what both sides agree is an AFC clash ripe with Super Bowl implications.

Find Brent Martineau:

• “Action Sports Jacks all over social media…ActionSportsJax.com…a lot of football talk in the Jacksonville Jaguars.” (33:43)