Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode: What's wrong with Josh Allen?
Date: November 7, 2022
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell & Mike Catalana

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jenna Cottrell and Mike Catalana break down the Buffalo Bills’ 20–17 loss to the New York Jets, focusing primarily on Josh Allen’s recent struggles, lapses in both offensive and defensive execution, and what these issues mean for the team in the context of a competitive AFC East. They analyze Allen’s decision-making, concerns about injuries, coaching adjustments, and the atmosphere around the team and its fans after a surprising defeat. The hosts offer insight into broader worry points as well as reasons for optimism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Josh Allen’s Recent Struggles

• Physical and Mental Factors:

  • The hosts note that Allen’s issues began in the second half of the previous (Green Bay) game, continuing into the Jets loss. There is speculation about a physical issue, particularly his elbow, as well as uncharacteristic mental errors and poor decisions.
  • Quote – Mike Catalana (01:43):
    “Josh is too good to play like that. ... Something’s wrong. ... A little bit physical. I think there’s something going on... But he’s too good a quarterback to play like that.”

• Interceptions:

  • Both interceptions in the Jets game are critiqued. The first, on the opening drive, seemed like a play you'd expect from an inexperienced quarterback, not Allen.

  • Quote – Catalana (04:14):
    “That’s the kind of play I expected Zach Wilson to make. ... He threw it right to him.”

  • Allen’s own postgame explanation for the interceptions (“brain fart”) is discussed, with the hosts agreeing that it’s concerning to see multiple mistakes in a short span.

  • Quote – Jenna Cottrell (05:21):
    “He said the second interception was just a brain fart. But that’s where it’s weird–because you’ve kind of had a couple of those.”

• Chemistry with Receivers:

  • Highlighted is the poor connection with Gabe Davis and other targets apart from Stefon Diggs, which is abnormal given their time practicing together.
  • Quote – Catalana (07:15):
    “He and Gabe [Davis] on different pages is strange to me. They’ve been together so much...”

2. Offensive & Defensive Issues

• Red Zone and Momentum Swing:

  • Missed opportunities and turnovers in critical spots (inside Jets territory) were costly, directly shifting momentum and field position to the Jets and leading to points allowed.

• Run Defense Weaknesses:

  • For consecutive weeks, the Bills’ run defense has faltered, with teams able to impose their will physically—a growing trend that concerns the hosts.

  • Quote – Cottrell (08:45):
    “It is a trend of teams being able to run on the Bills... Like, I’m gonna out-physical you...”

  • The Jets’ critical late-game drive, entirely built on running plays, was a particular red flag.

  • Quote – Catalana (09:42):
    “They started out at the four-yard line with the game tied. That is the moment where the number one defense in the league needs to shut them down... They ran it what, eight straight times and the Bills knew it was coming.”

3. Division Implications and AFC East Landscape

• 0–2 in Division Play:

  • The loss drops the Bills to winless in the division, amplifying the importance of the remaining division matchups and threatening tiebreakers and seeding.
  • Quote – Catalana (11:44):
    “You got to start with winning the division. And you’re allowing these teams... to creep back in.”

• Strength of AFC East:

  • All AFC East teams are above .500, making it, as the hosts discuss, potentially the league’s strongest division at the moment.
  • Quote – Catalana (20:04):
    “Is the AFC East the best division? ... I would say right now, certainly. ... The AFC East is [very strong].”

4. Coaching & Play Calling

• Ken Dorsey’s Early Tenure:

  • Dorsey is scrutinized for adjustments–or lack thereof–when defenses take away the deep ball and force Allen into check-downs. The offense has looked “ordinary” two weeks in a row, raising questions about scheme and adaptability.
  • Quote – Catalana (13:31):
    “A lot of being a coach in this league is making adjustments. ... The offense has not looked lethal.”

• Failure to Involve Other Playmakers:

  • There’s frustration over underutilization of weapons like Isaiah McKenzie, rookie Khalil Shakir, and newcomer Nyheim Hines, with calls for more creativity and specific packages for Hines going forward.
  • Quote – Catalana (25:34):
    “Let’s see them work Nahim Hines into the offense. ... It would have been nice to see–get the ball in Hines’ hands.”

5. Injury Watch and Reasons for Optimism

• Return of Key Players:

  • Updates on the potential return of Tre’Davious White, as well as the importance of getting defensive stalwarts like Jordan Poyer and Matt Milano back, provide hope for a defensive rebound.
  • Quote – Catalana (28:31):
    “I got a sense that it’s very close, maybe next week... Von Miller said after the game, ‘We’ll get Trey White back.’ ... Let’s get him out there.”

• Trust in Allen’s Bounce-Back Ability:

  • Both hosts express confidence that Allen will recover, provided health allows, and suggest that a “rut” is normal for even the best in the league.
  • Quote – Catalana (31:00):
    “I’m not really worried about him. He’s in a bit of a slump. He’s been making some dumb decisions... I trust that he’ll be back, but some of the other stuff, let’s get going here.”

6. Atmosphere & Behind-the-Scenes Moments

• Jets’ Fans and Energy:

  • The energy in MetLife Stadium is described as “Super Bowl-like” for Jets fans, showing how significant this win was for their long-suffering base.
  • Quote – Cottrell (21:38):
    “It was so funny to see the fans, how pumped up they were... Right at the end of the third quarter, they were putting their fours up in the crowd, laughing and so excited...”

• Lighthearted Sideline and Press Box Moments:

  • The episode ends with lighter talk about the food at MetLife, the quirks of NFL stadium experiences, and the staff’s friendliness, injecting humor after a tough loss.
  • Quote – Cottrell (34:00):
    “Real talk real quick... I had a bag of Cheetos and I got a Starbucks grilled cheese, which, if you need to survive…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Josh Allen’s struggles:

  • “Josh is too good to play like that. There’s a problem.” – Mike Catalana (01:43)
  • “He said the second interception was just a brain fart. But that’s where it’s weird… you’ve kind of had a couple of those.” – Jenna Cottrell (05:21)

• On division urgency:

  • “You got to start with winning the division. And you’re allowing these teams… to creep back in.” – Mike Catalana (11:44)

• On run defense trend:

  • “It is a trend of teams being able to run on the Bills... That’s kind of followed the Bills a little bit.” – Jenna Cottrell (08:45)

• On AFC East strength:

  • “Is the AFC East the best division? ... The AFC East is [very strong].” – Mike Catalana (20:04)

• On Ken Dorsey's learning curve:

  • “The offense has not looked lethal. ... It’s a trend now.” – Mike Catalana (13:31)

• On trust and optimism:

  • “I’m not really worried about [Allen]. ... I trust that he’ll be back, but some of the other stuff, let’s get going here.” – Mike Catalana (31:00)

• Atmosphere in New York:

  • “It was like their Super Bowl.” – Jenna Cottrell (21:16)
  • “The Jets look like the better team, which… that hurts, though.” – Mike Catalana (16:11)

Important Timestamps

• 01:42 – On Allen’s struggles and possible injury
• 04:14 – Allen’s first interception breakdown
• 08:45 – On run defense and league copycat tendencies
• 11:44 – Division record and playoff implications
• 13:31 – Critique of offensive play-calling and Ken Dorsey
• 20:04 – AFC East divisional strength
• 25:34 – Calls for use of Nyheim Hines and offensive creativity
• 28:31 – Tre’Davious White’s return and defensive injuries
• 31:00 – Confidence in Josh Allen’s bounce-back
• 34:00 – Sideline food and press box banter for levity

Conclusion

This episode provides a candid, insightful analysis of the Bills’ midseason funk, focusing on Josh Allen’s uncharacteristic errors, stale offensive innovation, and rising concern about the team’s performance in high-stakes divisional matchups. Ultimately, while there is justified short-term concern, the hosts emphasize the returning health of key players and Allen’s proven resilience as reasons for the fan base to remain optimistic.

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