Buffalo Plus Podcast – “When will Bills offense explode?”

Date: October 6, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana & Dan Fetes (Jenna Cottrell absent)
Episode Focus: Analyzing the disappointing lack of explosive plays in the Buffalo Bills offense, the struggles of the run game (especially without Josh Allen), the impact of injuries, and a look ahead to facing rookie QB Kenny Pickett and the Steelers.

Episode Overview

The Buffalo Plus team dives deep into the state of the Bills’ offense, questioning why the expected “explosiveness” has faded. They discuss whether this is a temporary “blip” or a concerning trend, examine the run game’s dependency on Josh Allen, and preview the challenge posed by Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett. Throughout, they blend statistics, film insight, injury updates, and honest fan-level frustration, offering an absorbing and realistic take on the Bills’ recent play.

1. Concerns About Explosiveness in the Bills Offense

• Key Issue: The offense’s signature “chunk plays” (passes of 20+ yards, big gains) have dried up recently.
• Notable points:
  • Early in the season, Stefon Diggs had several explosive catches; now that production has slowed.
  • The absence of a clear “second option” at receiver, particularly due to Gabe Davis’s nagging ankle injury, hurts big plays.
  • Injuries elsewhere (offensive line, Isaiah McKenzie, Jameson Crowder) have sapped depth and schematic flexibility.

Quote — Mike Catalana (about lack of explosive plays)

“When you look at making life a little easier, and when we’re talking about explosive plays... we’re talking about over 20 yards. And we’re just not seeing them.” [02:01]

Quote — Dan Fetes (on the impact of injuries and coaching)

“I think this is the learning curve that is a new offensive play caller. I don’t think we can just sit here and say, well, Josh and Gabe gotta play better, when Dorsey’s gotta do a better job of figuring this out.” [03:28]

• Mentioned players:
  • Diggs: still elite, but can’t do it alone.
  • Gabe Davis: “tough as they come” (05:48) but visibly hobbled.
  • Isaiah McKenzie: his schemed touches/screens/jet sweeps have “just disappeared,” and the hosts question why.

2. “It’s Not Sustainable” – Efficiency Versus Explosiveness

• The hosts acknowledge that stringing together long, methodical drives is good (Bills are top in third-down conversions) but not enough.
• Without splash plays, small mistakes (penalties, negative plays) stall drives.
• The offense is forced into third-and-long situations, making success less reliable.

Quote — Dan Fetes

“It’s not sustainable to have 10-play drives all the time... At some point there’s going to be a holding, there’s going to be a false start… now you’re backed up on third and 15.” [02:56]

3. Play Design, “Easy Plays,” and the Role of Ken Dorsey

• New OC Ken Dorsey is still “figuring it out.” The lack of “easy” plays—quick, high-percentage throws—is concerning.
• The Bills are getting some screens to Diggs, but not enough “free yards.”
• Defenses are sitting back (cover-two shells), but the hosts argue creativity can still generate big plays.

Quote — Dan Fetes

“This thought that, oh, teams just don’t let you throw over the top... it’s kind of a cop out to me, because you don’t think teams have done that against Mahomes?... There has to be some level of creativity.” [06:41]

Quote — Mike Catalana

“I just want to see... something easy for him. He’s got to run to get the first downs. He’s got to make the plays. He’s got to fit it into tight windows...” [09:13]

• Comparison to last year: the “fluid” offense with Emmanuel Sanders, Beasley, and a healthy Gabe Davis enabled bigger plays and rhythm.

4. Player Spotlights and Depth Issues

• Khalil Shakir: The rookie could become a bigger contributor, described as “the most laid back, calm, cool rookie” (10:11) who gets “fired up” as his role grows.

• Dawson Knox: Praised for blocking but expected to deliver more as a receiver for his contract.

• Running Backs: None are providing a reliable spark; Singletary has been “okay,” James Cook has done “nothing” (22:51).

• The lack of a clear “bread and butter” outside Diggs is striking.

Quote — Mike Catalana

“Outside of Diggs, there’s no bread and butter for this team... They don’t have a running back who can make a play yet.” [12:39]

5. Can the Running Game (Without Josh Allen) Be Fixed?

• Stat: Josh Allen has led the Bills in rushing 3 of 4 games this season.
• McDermott admits he’s “not overly comfortable” with that fact; the hosts agree it’s “not sustainable.”
• Offensive line: Not built for power running, struggles to generate push.
• Analyst Kyle Long noted on a different podcast how demoralizing it is for a defense to get run on—“You want to run? Then move a person out of the way.”

Quote — Dan Fetes

“I want more money. Like I want a bigger contract, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna get it. So the Bills saying they want to move forward, they want to run block—then earn the right to run it more.” [19:11]

Quote — Mike Catalana

“Honestly, when I watch them hand the ball to a running back now, I’m pleasantly surprised when it’s three yards.” [17:33]

• The Bills’ O-line is not big or dominant enough—success runs are rare, and the team’s rushing stats are artificially boosted by Allen’s scrambles.
• Giving James Cook more carries (a popular fan suggestion) is dismissed as wishful thinking at this stage.

Quote — Mike Catalana

“If you take the quarterback out, are they the worst running team?” [25:45] “Josh skews every stat he does. People say ‘Oh, they’re averaging 5.6 yards per rush’—yeah, that’s because Josh goes for 10... the two runs before it are 1 and 2 yards!” [26:01]

6. Big Picture: The Bills Offense & Around the League

• Dorsey and the offense deserve patience—similar early season struggles have happened before.
• The Eagles and Chiefs are used for comparison: the Eagles boast a dominant O-line and explosive run/pass ability; the Chiefs, post-Tyreek Hill, are “effective” but not “scary.”
• The hosts want to see incremental improvement, not radical philosophical changes.

Quote — Dan Fetes

“I am for running the football if you can do it effectively. The Bills aren’t built like that. And I don’t think this is something that can be changed, fixed by... [just] wanting to be physical.” [25:33]

7. Defensive Solidarity & Kenny Pickett Preview

• Despite offensive issues, the Bills defense has “just been outstanding” even through its own injuries.
• Mike notes Mike Tomlin (Steelers coach): franchise is finally moving from the “old and tired” Roethlisberger era; Pickett is “fun” and might “unleash” Pittsburgh’s skill players, but is turnover-prone and faces a tough test vs. Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier’s schemes.
• Pittsburgh’s defense, especially without T.J. Watt, is vulnerable.

Quote — Mike Catalana

“I think he’s [Pickett] going to put some balls up. I think Jordan Poyer is going to get a little closer to the McAfee million dollar pledge for his charity.” [31:49]

• Defensive stat: Bills have given up just 7 second-half points in four games [34:12].

• Bills rarely blitz yet lead in QB pressures—excellent D-line play.

• Against Pickett, expect pressure with four, lots of zone, and mistakes forced from the rookie.

8. Looking Forward: Steelers and KC

• Steelers are “the largest underdog in their franchise history” (+14.5).
• Hosts both focus on a clean win for Buffalo, then a shift in attention to the looming showdown with Kansas City.
• Mahomes lauded as “MVP favorite”; Chiefs “effective,” not outright “scary” like before.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Gabe Davis’s injury:
  “He hasn’t looked healthy. He’s gutted it out. He says he’s healthy now...” — Mike Catalana [02:42]
• On McKenzie’s vanished touches:
  “Where are the plays for MacKenzie? Where are the screens, the handoffs to Mackenzie?” — Mike Catalana [04:30]
• On play-calling struggles:
  “Everything seems...like a struggle. One’s not open, two’s not open, maybe a checkdown to three, and I’m off... That’s on the play caller.” — Dan Fetes [07:57]
• On the run game:
  “There is not a play, a running play with a non Josh Allen carrier that you have faith in.” — Mike Catalana [18:40]

Key Timestamps

• Dissecting Explosive Plays: [01:25]–[05:50]
• Play Calling & Easy Completions: [06:35]–[08:07]
• Player Health & Depth: [08:30]–[13:30]
• Run Game Debate & O-Line Issues: [15:15]–[27:30]
• Kenny Pickett and Steelers Preview: [28:21]–[34:59]
• Defense Praised: [33:18]–[34:18]
• KC Look-Ahead & AFC Picture: [35:53]–[37:13]

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, detailed, and a mix of analytical skepticism and loyal fan optimism. The hosts blend friendly ribbing, honest critique, and deep football knowledge—in the words of Dan, “We just nitpicked this offense for seven minutes. That’s a good thing.” [10:44] It’s a passionate appeal for solutions—not just surface-level “more carries for James Cook,” but real schematic change and health improvements.

Summary Takeaway:
The Bills offense, despite gaudy overall numbers and a 3–1 record, currently lacks the spark required for dominance in the AFC. Issues of health, offensive design, weak run game (outside Josh Allen), and a transition to new coordinator Ken Dorsey have all contributed. But with a fierce defense and a more favorable schedule, the expectation remains: the “explosion” is coming—just not yet.