Buffalo Plus: "You Ask, We Answer: Is WR Help Needed AND Should the PANIC METER Be Off?"

Date: October 1, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana and Jenna Cottrell (Dan Fetes off)

Episode Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus centers on answering viewer questions about key concerns for the Buffalo Bills midway through the season. Topics include the recent struggles of the run defense, Tyler Bass's issues as a kicker, the need for a WR1, concerns at safety, and general team outlook after a tough loss in Baltimore. With their trademark insider perspective and candid tone, hosts Mike and Jenna break down where the Bills truly stand and what lies ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Run Defense Issues After the Ravens Loss

Timestamp: 00:29–05:27

• The Bills’ run defense was “shredded against Baltimore.” Was it Derrick Henry’s brilliance or the Bills’ injuries and lackluster line play?
  • Mike: “Derrick Henry’s a hell of a player. The Ravens had a great game plan... It did concern me... a physical team was a bit of a mismatch for the Bills. That D-line’s got to be better.” (02:11)
  • Jenna: “Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones were essentially a non-factor... If anyone's going to exploit the fact that there were weaknesses... it would be Derrick Henry.” (02:57)
• Injuries are a big factor (“Of course you’re gonna miss Terrell Bernard, and of course you’re gonna miss Taron Johnson... and Matt Milano.”)
• Backups like Balen Spector and Cam Lewis are just that—serviceable, but not on the level of the starters.
  • Mike: "There's a reason they are backups in the game, not the starters. Right?" (03:55)
• Looking ahead: Texans’ Joe Mixon could also challenge the Bills’ run defense.

2. Panic Meter: How Alarming Is the Ravens Loss?

Timestamp: 05:27–09:25

• Viewer Q: On a scale of 1–10, where’s the panic?
  • Mike: “Panic meter. I have it on about three.” (06:21)
  • Jenna: “I would say my panic meter is also at three. Because... The Bills got blown out... and that doesn’t normally happen.” (08:07)
• NFL culture swings between overreaction and euphoria. Bills rarely lose badly (“Run out of the gym”).
• Mike: “If you told me right now... they lose to the Texans, they beat the Jets, I take it. I take it at 4 and 2.” (07:27)
• They see the loss as likely an anomaly.

3. Tyler Bass & the Kicking Uncertainty

Timestamp: 09:25–16:01

• Viewer Q (freshly_fried): “How concerned are we about Bass now? I have no faith in him when he lines up.”
  • Jenna: “It feels at some points, Mike, like it's a coin flip.” (09:56)
  • Mike: “Do you have faith when he was lining up for that kick?... It's a feeling he's earned.” (10:01)
• Misses have been costly (cites Chiefs, Steelers playoff game, Sunday’s long miss).
• The team has tried out kickers, but won’t move on from Bass unless “the right kicker comes in... this guy could be our guy.” (11:31)
• Mike: “He got the whole offseason to get himself ready. They had no competition for him during camp. And he’s not been... good.” (13:29)
• “Even his misses are bad.” (14:26)
• On mental fortitude: If Bass can’t handle kicker competition, that’s a concern for big-game scenarios.
  • Mike: “If he can't handle that, then... what... How is he going to be in big game scenarios?” (14:47)

4. Wide Receiver Questions—Do the Bills Need a WR1?

Timestamp: 16:01–23:00

• Viewer Q (Ricky_5088): “Do you think we need a wide receiver one?”
  • Mike: “In the simple answer, yes... He makes everybody else better, in my opinion.” (16:16)
  • Compares to NFL, NHL, and MLB adding elite talent; everyone else plays more naturally at WR2/3, etc.
  • Love Shakir, but “He’s a long way from being what the league would consider a number one guy.” (17:02)
• Jenna: Shakir “very sore” with ankle injury—his status is “day by day.” (18:27)
  • Beyond Shakir: Keon Coleman showed promise, Mac Hollins is a depth/Special Teams guy, Curtis Samuel underwhelming, MVS “invisible.” “Everybody eats” approach is great in theory, but sometimes you need a match-up winner.
• Trade market mentioned: Amari Cooper, Jaylen Waddle (speculatively) could help.
  • Jenna: “A rising tide lifts all boats, especially when it’s a wide receiver one.” (20:56)
• The AFC is somewhat open; if the Bills get healthy, a WR1 trade might be worth it.

5. Safety Position Depth & Potential Micah Hyde Return

Timestamp: 23:52–30:15

• Viewer Q (Himothy_MB8DC): “Do you think the safety position is a real concern?”
• Taylor Rapp is in concussion protocol; Mike Edwards has been inactive; Cole Bishop played significant snaps Sunday, Demar Hamlin started.
• Mike: “It is telling... they obviously did not have confidence in Mike Edwards to have him on the field.” (24:41)
• Cole Bishop is "understandably green.”
• Micah Hyde possibility (“Is it still too early?”): If Hyde wants to play, the Bills would be interested. He could need time, but his experience means he might jump in quickly.
  • Mike: “I actually think he could. I think his knowledge of the defense... I think he could get off the couch and be on the field…” (27:26)
• Mike: “Their safety position now is a net neutral on a good day... just good football players, not exceptional, and can be picked on.” (28:27)
• Jenna: “With the Rapp concussion, it makes the numbers thin... asking [Bishop] to take a big step up in weight class.” (29:28)

6. Preview: Texans Matchup, D-Line, and Heart of the Defense

Timestamp: 30:17–32:36

• “Strange week” for the Bills—questions about which injured defenders (Bernard, Taron Johnson) will return.
  • Mike: “If Bernard and Taran are back on the field... they are plus-plus players... most impactful players on their defense.” (30:19)
  • D-line needs more production; Von Miller was invisible in Baltimore.
• Lamar Jackson deserves credit—played physically, limited danger from Buffalo’s pass rush.
  • Mike: “Lamar was good. Yeah, good. Really good football player. But I think Josh will be fine.” (32:00)
• On injury speculation:
  • Jenna: “I feel like Bernard will be back this weekend and I think that Taryn will be back for Monday night.” (32:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Loss to Baltimore:
  "It's not 100% that, like, if they played again this week, I think it would be better, but I don't know if 100% because that D line's got to be better." — Mike (02:45)
• On Tyler Bass:
  "Do you have faith when he was lining up for that kick?... It's a feeling he's earned." — Mike (10:01)
  “It feels at some points... like it's a coin flip.” — Jenna (09:56)
• On Needing a WR1:
  "He [a true WR1] makes everybody else better, in my opinion." — Mike (16:16)
  "A rising tide lifts all boats, especially when it's a wide receiver one." — Jenna (20:56)
• On Safety Depth:
  "Their safety position now is a net neutral on a good day... just good football players, but they're not exceptional and they can be picked on." — Mike (28:27)
• On the Mentality of the NFL:
  "There is an old saying, you know, in the NFL, it's win or panic." — Mike (06:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:29–05:27] – Breakdown of the run defense issues vs Baltimore and Joe Mixon preview
• [05:27–09:25] – Panic meter talk: why this loss is not a catastrophe
• [09:25–16:01] – Debate over Tyler Bass’s job security and the kicker market
• [16:01–23:00] – Wide receiver needs; what a new WR1 could mean; trade market discussion
• [23:52–30:15] – Safety depth concerns, potential for a Micah Hyde return, injury status updates
• [30:17–32:36] – Defensive heart, D-line critique, Von Miller callout
• [32:36–33:29] – Injuries: Bernard and Taron Johnson projecting return dates

Summary Takeaways

• Big-picture: The run defense is a concern, but context and injuries matter. “Panic meter” is low—one bad game doesn’t warrant drastic measures.
• Special teams: Tyler Bass’s job isn’t safe; real pressure is mounting for the team to bring in competition.
• Offense: The group lacks an elite WR1, and it shows. If the right player is available, the Bills should seriously consider a trade.
• Secondary: Safety depth is being tested; Mike Edwards’s status and a possible Micah Hyde return loom as storylines.
• Front 7 injuries: Getting Bernard and Johnson back will be crucial; the D-line must step up.
• AFC Outlook: The conference is “wide openish,” and the Bills have a chance—if they address their key weaknesses.

For fans who missed it, this episode offers a candid, realistic—yet optimistic—look at where the Bills truly stand, what needs improvement, and why the sky isn’t falling in Buffalo.