Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: You Ask, We Answer: Have the last TWO WEEKS changed our PERCEPTION OF THE BILLS?
Date: September 16, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

This episode centers on fan-submitted questions about the Buffalo Bills through the first two weeks of the NFL season. The Buffalo Plus team – Mike, Jenna, and Dan – dissect how their perceptions of the team may have shifted as the Bills jumped out to a 2-0 start. Discussion spans key team strengths, the running game’s resurgence, the impact of injuries, defensive play, and how this edition stacks up to expectations. There’s lively banter, strong insights about players and coaches, and recurring jokes about "Jaguar/Jaguar/Jags" pronunciation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Are the Bills the Scariest Team Through Two Weeks?

Timestamp: 01:36–05:30

• Dan: “No, I don’t think they look like the scariest team. I think they look way more complete than I originally thought… without a true number one wide receiver, it’s tough to be scary.” (01:58)

• Mike: “Scariest does sound a little bit different… For me, when I think of scary, I do think of those big-time, big names… The Bills have kind of built themselves as a team that—what’s the phrase—everybody eats. I don’t think they’re scary, but… they have done a great job, and that can also be scary because that might sneak up on people.” (02:39)

• Jenna: Agrees with "complete" as the defining word; praises the team’s unselfish play and strong defense. Notes that the Saints and Cardinals looked surprisingly scary the past weekend.

Notable Moment:
Playful debate about the “scariest” team and how the Bills’ identity is less about star power and more about being well-rounded.

Josh Allen’s Evolving Role & Team Chemistry

Timestamp: 05:30–09:58

• Dan: “It just feels like (Josh Allen) doesn’t have the weight of the team all on his shoulders… He has this… freeing kind of moment.” (06:37)

• Mike: “He wants to be one of the guys, he wants to see his guys do well… For him, it’s got to feel nice to be like, ‘Hey, I played well… but I also got to see the guys that I see work their butts off be able to have their moment, too.’” (06:54 & 07:18)

• Jenna: Observes a positive shift in Josh Allen’s body language and general vibe, indicating buy-in and trust in his teammates.

Memorable Moment:
Recap of Josh Allen joyfully celebrating with teammates after a win, exemplifying a shared load on offense and a more relaxed quarterback.

The Bills’ Running Game & Offensive Identity

Timestamp: 10:05–16:49

• Dan (on needing a run game): “With this wide receiver group… you can rely on a ground game and an offensive line pancaking people… it really helps alleviate that stress and pressure.” (10:16)

• Jenna: Details how the Bills are adapting to league-wide defensive schemes, finding balance between running and passing.

• Mike: Compares the Bills’ offensive approach to the Chiefs', highlighting the value of a strong run game in the modern NFL.

Notable Moment:
Praise for Joe Brady’s play-calling discipline – “When the Bills seem to be able to run the ball and run it successfully, they just keep hitting the button… Joe Brady’s just keeping it simple.” (13:43)

Quote:
Dan on offensive playcalling: “It’s checkers, not chess… I wonder if Joe Brady has like KISS written on his arm: ‘Keep it simple, stupid.’” (14:48)

Defensive Line & Secondary: Who’s the Best Unit?

Timestamp: 17:30–24:03

• Fan Question: Can the front four keep pressure with injuries in the back seven?

• Dan: “The back seven’s been the best part of this defense… Rasool (Douglas) and Benford have been dominant… The back half of the secondary has been outstanding.” (18:09)

• Jenna: “Cam Lewis filling in for Taron Johnson has been outstanding… Another credit to Babich and McDermott.”

• Mike: “Christian Benford… to see him get that shine, it’s awesome… Rasul Douglas, tackling, tackling—just stuff like that, that really can be pivotal.” (19:07 & 19:53)

Notable Quote:
From Chris Long (via Green Light Podcast, relayed by Dan):
“Nobody gets little guys to play bigger than Sean McDermott… last year, there were guys down left and right, and they battled…” (20:49)

Moment:
Praise for Ed Oliver’s, Von Miller’s performance, and coaching staff's ability to 'coach up’ backups and depth players.

Jags vs. Bills: Why Does Jacksonville Befuddle Buffalo?

Timestamp: 24:40–27:16

• Fan Question: Why do the Jaguars always seem to trip up the Bills?
• Dan: “I think it could be taking them a little bit for granted… a lot of those were younger teams… It just does not seem like things go well against Jacksonville.” (25:44–26:37)
• Jenna: Adds context—London game, playoff disappointments, travel issues, and injuries—contributing to the Jags being a "trap" opponent.
• Mike: Recaps how even when favored, “things just don’t seem to go well against Jacksonville…” (25:35)

Impact of Linebacker Injuries & Defensive Adjustments

Timestamp: 28:31–31:46

• Fan Question: With Milano and Bernard both hurt at linebacker, how will the defense hold up?
• Jenna: “Specter’s got to take away his special teams duty if he’s going to be the (LB)...I was impressed by Specter… having to relay defensive calls.” (28:56–29:20)
• Dan: “When it was a pec (injury) that (Bernard) did not return… it’s just a strained pec… hoping he doesn’t even need to go on IR. Massive news…” (30:11)
• They’re hopeful Bernard’s injury is minor compared to initial concern. Praise for Dorian Williams’ fill-in play; emphasis on ‘treading water’ until reinforcements return.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Fates, on Josh Allen’s new freedom:
  “When Josh doesn’t have to be Superman the entire game, I think it’s got to feel very freeing to him.” (08:27)

• Mike Catalana, on the Bills’ ‘complete’ vibe:
  “For so much, we talk about the Bills, it is Josh Allen. And I think for him… it’s got to feel nice…” (06:54)

• Chris Long (via Dan), on McDermott’s coaching:
  “Nobody gets little guys to play bigger than Sean McDermott.” (20:49)

• Jenna Cottrell, on the Buffalo defense’s development:
  “You go back to what were Hyde and Poyer when they came to town?...They were not superstars. Now you see these other players, and it’s great.” (21:41)

• Josh Allen’s celebratory moment:
  “Dan, you got a great shot of him celebrating, his arms out.” (08:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:36 – Are the Bills the scariest team right now?
• 05:30 – Josh Allen’s mindset & Miami game review
• 10:05 – Does the Bills’ offense need a running game?
• 13:43 – Joe Brady’s play-calling philosophy
• 17:30 – Secondary vs. D-line as defensive strengths
• 20:49 – Chris Long’s take on McDermott and player development
• 24:40 – Why do the Jags always trouble the Bills?
• 28:31 – Linebacker injuries: How does the D adapt?

Recurring Jokes & Banter

• Ongoing internal debate over the correct pronunciation of “Jaguar” (Jag-u-ar vs. Jag-wire vs. Jags).
• Mike, Jenna, and Dan lightheartedly credit each other (and sometimes themselves) for various takes and predictions.
• Running joke on how the Bills-Jags matchups always go awry for Buffalo, regardless of situation.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The Buffalo Plus crew agrees the Bills have exceeded preseason expectations by looking more “complete”—not “scariest,” but certainly more stable and well-rounded, especially on defense. Josh Allen’s role is evolving, no longer requiring herculean efforts every week, thanks to a revitalized run game and a defense that keeps performing despite injuries. Trust in the coaching staff (Joe Brady, Sean McDermott, Bobby Babich) is high, as is confidence in depth players stepping up.

Jenna, Mike, and Dan remain cautious about the Jags matchup given Buffalo’s uneven history against Jacksonville, but they believe this team’s new identity and adaptability should help reverse old narratives.

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