Buffalo Plus Podcast — “What’s NEXT for the BILLS, fixing the NFL’s officiating ‘PROBLEM’ and Super Bowl Thoughts”

Date: February 6, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on the Buffalo Bills' near-miss season—how close they were to the Super Bowl, the lessons learned, and the path forward. The team dives deep into the NFL’s enduring officiating controversies, how technology should (but doesn’t always) help, and what changes could make the game better. The show finishes with lively Super Bowl predictions, plenty of fan talk, observations on NFL media chaos, and some relaxed banter (and food favorites) as postseason sets in.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills Season Review & What’s Next

• The Missed Opportunity: The group reflects on how surreal it would have been to be prepping for a Bills Super Bowl in New Orleans.
  • "We were talking about how we could have been... in New Orleans, getting ready for a Bills Super Bowl." (00:34, Jenna)
• Team Is Close, But Not Quite There:
  • Mike states, "They are right there. They did it this year with a roster that was good but lacking top tier... it still comes down to executing on things that you have done and a mindset that changes a little bit.” (21:38)
  • The Bills “did not play scared,” but “didn’t have the horses” (roster depth/elite playmakers) to finish. (00:00, Mike)
• Coaching Evolution:
  • Positive note on Sean McDermott growing into a CEO-style coach—adapting well (00:00, Mike).
  • Praise for Joe Brady, but a consensus that experience and knowing when to stay the course vs. take risks separated the Bills’ OC from Andy Reid (26:18-28:48).

2. NFL Officiating 'Problem'

• Media Night & NFL’s Image:
  • Strong criticisms of awkward, "bad pep rally" vibes at media night (03:43, Jenna; 03:44, Dan).
  • NFL’s “script” complaints and the challenge of officiating as a recurring Super Bowl storyline.
• Technology vs. Tradition:
  • "The NFL's got to work on writing a better script for officials... and figuring out the Pro Bowl games." (04:15, Mike)
  • Praise for tennis’ line technology: “Nothing has worked better in pro sports than the line cameras for tennis. Yeah, they're spectacular." (05:11, Jenna)
  • The NFL relies on outdated systems (“chains” reduced but not eliminated; still slow to adapt electronic measures).
• The Case for More Tech:
  • Jenna: “Your officials are part time. That’s the biggest business in the world.” (05:39)
  • Mike: Technology enables faster and more accurate calls—the league won’t fully embrace it (06:19–07:30).
  • The slow and sometimes nonsensical way reviews are done—especially for personal fouls and first-down spots—erodes credibility and fan trust.
    • “The fact that they don't use it as well as they could… that's the part where I think the NFL loses credibility...” (06:19–07:30)
• Should We Use More Review?
  • Dan pushes: “I don't care about the length of games. I want it to be right.” (09:07)
  • Mike and Jenna aren’t sure, cautioning about endless reviews and disrupting flow—but agree personal fouls/reckless penalties must be reviewable (09:58–13:43).

Notable Quotes:

• “They have the technology to help them in so many ways. That's where it fails to me…” — Mike (06:19)
• “No league in the world wants to take money from their players more than the NFL.”— Jenna (12:01)
• “They love it. $20,000, $30,000, $15,000… all kinds of nonsense, but they don't make the call.” — Jenna (12:02)
• “If MLB's ahead of you... you're having trouble.” — Mike (13:43)

3. Bills Fandom & The NFL’s Changing Rules

• Bills’ fans have reason to feel burned, but need to balance frustration with realism:

  • “If you're a Bills fan, you have all the right in the world to continue to post screenshots… you have all the right in the world to be upset.” — Mike (20:41)
  • The NFL tends to tweak rules right after the Bills lose:
    • Example: new overtime rules post-Kansas City/Allen shootout loss; now, talk of electronic first-down measures follows more heartbreak (15:09–17:00).
  • “It hurts if you're a Bills fan.” (16:52, Mike)
  • “Both times… it's been in response, and I understand… The Chiefs get benefit.” (17:04–17:08, Jenna)

• Ref talk can veer into conspiracy:

  • “I think some of the ref talk is a little bit hyperbolic… it’s a little bit ‘the government controls the weather’. When they give you stats and say ‘the Chiefs are 19-2 with this ref’—the Chiefs have won a lot of games.” — Dan (17:08)

4. Super Bowl Media Coverage Critique

• The podcast crew bemoans the “circus” of Super Bowl media day, with unqualified people asking silly, click-bait questions to stars.
  • “You got some dipshit walking around asking the Chiefs ‘Who’s your favorite official?’… they give credentials to everyone” (17:45–17:56, Jenna)
• Too many “charades,” not enough real coverage; this abundance can detract from the event’s seriousness (19:01–20:32).

5. Bills’ Path Forward: Roster and Culture

• What’s Needed?
  • The house (franchise) is “well built,” but needs more “high-end fixtures”—elite/gamer talent, especially at skill positions (28:48).
  • Chiefs’ success recipe: elite playmakers + coaches who “play with an openness and a freeness.”
  • Bills must keep closing the gap—a couple of top-tier difference-makers could put them over the top (21:38–28:48).

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s not a knock… Andy is the best offensive coordinator in the NFL. Joe Brady had a great season, but he’s not Andy Reid. Give Joe some more talent too.” — Dan (26:18)
• “The house is really well built. It needs some high end fixtures.” — Jenna (28:48)
• “I just look sometimes and go, man, what would Josh do with that kind of talent, that kind of speed?” — Mike, on not being able to pair Allen with a top WR like Tyreek (29:58–30:19)

6. Super Bowl Predictions

• Key Takeaway: All agree the game will come down to QB and head coach edge—Mahomes and Andy Reid are the proven X-factor.
• Score Predictions:
  • Mike (Eagles fan): “I’m taking the Eagles, 30-25.” (34:19)
  • Dan: “Never going to bet against Mahomes in a big game… Chiefs 31-27.” (34:44)
  • Jenna: “I just feel like if it’s close, the Chiefs can close the door… I expect them to win.” (36:08)
• Discussion includes the “unquantifiable” edge of Chiefs’ mentality and history, despite the Eagles’ on-paper roster strength (37:12).

7. Media Personalities & Broadcasting

• Joking debate about Super Bowl broadcasters: Tom Brady is viewed as “pretty mediocre” (“not wired to be good as a broadcaster” – Mike, 40:14), Tony Romo as “talented but flawed,” and Troy Aikman is “lit”—unfiltered and willing to rip officials (40:56–44:18).
• Heartfelt backstory as Dan shares his daughter's story about being born with a clubfoot, connecting with Aikman and Joe Buck (41:10–43:59).

8. Fun, Banter, and Food

• The hosts share stories from NFL towns (New Orleans, Detroit, Dallas), travels covering the team, food adventures (01:14–03:04).
• “Favorite Super Bowl food” closes things out: chips/nachos, buffalo chicken dip, sliced baguette or Italian subs are the big winners (47:18–48:02).
• Classic Bills inside jokes—shout-outs to podcast fans, references to “historic humps,” and friendly jabs about grammar and hot yoga (25:09–46:27).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Nothing has worked better in pro sports… than the line cameras for tennis.” — Jenna (05:14)
• “Their resumes end at a certain point… The guy's got Super Bowls, he's got MVPs. He has beaten him head to head four times in the playoffs… They’ve got the best coach and the best quarterback.” — Mike (25:51)
• “If you’re a Bills fan, you have all the right in the world to continue to post screenshots… That is the part of being a fan that is fun and sucks at the same time.” — Mike (20:41)
• “The house is really well built. It needs some high end fixtures.” — Jenna (28:48)
• “As great a coach as Spags is, and Andy Reid, you know, he has those difference makers. He has Chris Jones, he’s got McDuffie.” — Jenna (29:06)
• “For how good Andy Reid is... they went out and did things to improve their offense. That is where the ball now goes into Brandon Bean's court. This is his offseason.” — Dan (27:18)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------------| | Quick New Orleans/Travel/Food Stories | 01:14–03:04 | | Media Night, Super Bowl Media, NFL Image | 03:38–05:01 | | NFL Officiating, Technology, Reviews | 05:11–15:09 | | Rule Changes Post-Bills Losses | 15:09–17:08 | | Super Bowl Media Credentials Critique | 17:45–20:32 | | Bills' Fan Frustrations | 20:41–21:22 | | What the Bills Need Next | 21:38–28:48 | | “You’re Not One Guy Away” vs. Reality | 30:43–31:53 | | Super Bowl Predictions | 32:18–37:12 | | Media and Broadcaster Personalities | 39:06–44:22 | | Parenting, Real-Life Story (Clubfoot) | 41:07–43:59 | | Super Bowl Food/Party Chatter | 47:26–48:28 |

Tone and Language

The episode features candid, conversational back-and-forth, often lighthearted (sports banter, food talk, Bills fandom, and in-jokes), but gives way to sincere, critical analysis during serious NFL topics (officiating, technology, postseason heartbreak). Quotes and insights retain the hosts’ authentic, spontaneous tone, marked by “real fan” passion and locker-room candor.

Takeaways

• The Bills are “right there”—a championship-caliber core, but clear need for elite, game-breaking talent.
• NFL officiating is under legitimate scrutiny—technology could fix much, but cultural and bureaucratic inertia stymie progress.
• The Chiefs’ edge is as much culture, confidence, and experience as it is Mahomes/Reid’s genius.
• Super Bowl spectacle, both on-field and in media rooms, amplifies both the best and worst of the NFL.
• Fans have every right to mourn near-misses, but optimism (with roster upgrades) remains high in Buffalo.

For more offseason content, the crew encourages fan suggestions and promises continued coverage—and maybe another “Hot Ones” style video in the mix.