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Ep. 69 - The Sabres Don't Suck (right now)!
38 Plays5 months ago
In this pre-thanksgiving episode the boys spend a good chunk of time chatting about the Sabres recent success, check in on their Bills bold predictions heading out of the bye week, and touch on what to prepare for when it comes to the niners this weekend.
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Transcript
Introduction and Social Media
00:00:25
Speaker
what's going on everybody you're listening to the let's go buffalo podcast your favorite podcast for all things bills and sabers with the pals nodule tom and jake this evening folks
00:00:41
Speaker
episode 69 coming at you and nice nice quick reminder you know the drill follow the social media spokes you can find us on all of them with the handle at let's go puff pod Tom how many F's spy um Does that mean two and something? Yes. Yes. Yeah. Very good. Yes. Yes. All right. Out of gear. Hell yeah, dude. At Let's Go Buff Pod. That is Buff with, I'm going to just help everybody out, two F's. You can find us on all of them, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, you name it, we're on it. um And if you're watching on YouTube, folks, please give us a little like, drop a comment, helps us out with that good old algorithm.
Thanksgiving Plans and Food Debate
00:01:28
Speaker
Let's get around here and say hello to the fellas. Tom, how are we doing, Pelly? I'm great, dude. I'm great. We're in a full on Thanksgiving season and I'm about it. Hell yeah, dude. This is my time. This is my, I love this week. It's so freaking good. So I'm fantastic, dude. Absolutely. thorpe you know What's going on there, guy?
00:01:48
Speaker
ah god I'm the other end of the spectrum. I do love this time here, but we are hosting in our very new house So we are a little up up shit Creek But I'm good otherwise and I'm excited to be here by week talking talking Buffalo sports with you guys ah yeah boys before before we open a beverage guys Should we should we get like are your top Thanksgiving food real quick?
00:02:09
Speaker
Oh yeah. Clearly it's thing. It's, there's one answer and it's stuffing. There's, there's no, there's no other answer. And either one of you say anything different. I'm leaving. Well, now wait a second, because we have to, we have to open up the can of worms here. Do we include desserts with that? Or is it just the main, the dinner stuff? I think include it. Okay. So Tom still sticks with stuffing now. Yeah. Yeah. 10 out of 10. Yep. There's no better answer. Jake, what do you got?
00:02:33
Speaker
Well, I also do very much like stuffing, but I don't like stuffing by itself. I like stuffing with everything else going on on the plate. But with that said, I'll give a different answer. My my aunt Vanna used to make scalloped sweet potatoes with heavy cream and like, it was so good.
00:02:49
Speaker
so good yeah that's that's my favorite dish for yeah I'd eat almost anything that bottom made so yeah but well boys I actually I'll tell you both right now if push really came to shove I would probably sacrifice either one of you for a good pecan pie oh no yeah I'm a huge huge pecan pie guy So, dude, can I tell you what Megan is making for for Thanksgiving? Is it going to make me upset? Because I think my Thanksgiving this year is probably going to be Chinese food. I'll set i'll send you a pie. You got to find yourself one. I know. Yeah. Yeah. Jake, what do you got? ah I'll send you a piece. So for dessert, a cheesecake, but with a pecan pie crumble top. Come on. hang it What are you doing to us? ah
00:03:34
Speaker
That's that sounds oh honestly dude that feels so on brand for Megan just just the most badass dessert ever dude and so we pushing lucky man Well now that we're all good and hungry boys should we pop a beverage please please please count us down buddy, please please please Tom says ready three two one But there's Nigel you have a
LaCroix vs. Beer: A Host's Tale
00:03:56
Speaker
beer this week yeah my buddy. Nice job. I can you can you you start us off? Wow, man, I really could have gotten away with it. It is it is not a beer. So here's the story. Right? I know. I really wanted to see and I was very deliberate about covering up the La Croix. I just wanted to see if I could get away with it and I absolutely could have
00:04:20
Speaker
Yeah, but, yeah but, but, but, so here's what actually did happen. I did grab a six pack of a lager, um, from the local grocery store here. I did. And dude, honestly, I tried one and was like, this is one of the worst beers I've ever had. And I just said, fort forget the rest. So instead of putting myself through a beer that I really don't like, I'm going to drink something that I actually do enjoy. So I did try, but it was real. We need okay. Punishment. Absolutely. Next, next week, yeah dude, there's fo what do his nobody, nobody said anything yet. I've said lots. So we should we I'm going to find some burner accounts and I'm just going to start posting some real terrible shit. Well, do I have a beer, so no shush you, Mr. LaCroix.
00:05:08
Speaker
I have a beer, it's called Bonafide Pale Ale, um which I thought was appropriate for this week, Pals. And it's from Oregon. It's ah it's it's ah not a Vermont beer. So I'm a little off-brand, but it was left by, we had some friends over to come watch the yeah Patriots and Dolphins kind of suffer with each other. So it was good. um I want to say it was my my one of my Schmuck Patriots friends and ah and his lovely fiance, Jane. So shout out, Jane, and and not my Schmuck Patriots friend.
00:05:37
Speaker
any Any fun words you want to throw in front of your wife, Patriots fan? No, my lovely, beautiful and amazing and supportive wife. Yeah. That was so me. That was so cold. I'm so sorry. I love i love you, Katie. I really do.
00:05:54
Speaker
I don't know how to segue from that. You're about two and a half hours away, so you can fuck right up. Well, Jake, it's your turn, buddy. What are you drinking? I have a beer that has my Thanksgiving outfit on the can. It's called Leisure Suit. Hell yeah, dude. That is so good. God, I wish you actually had a seat that looked like that. Who's to say he doesn't? That's very fair. I've never seen Jake on Thanksgiving Day. so That's true.
Sabres' Playoff Hopes
00:06:20
Speaker
Yeah, that's good. Awesome. Boys, for the first time ever in a trillion years, Tommy, you might yell at me. Can we actually, ah can we start with the Savers? Yeah, I do. I want to do that. I want to do that. That sounds yeah great. um let's Let's start with the Savers just because we don't know how many times we're going to have a podcast where that we feel good about them, right? Folks, write it down. Today is let's see. It's November 25th, 2024. And this was actually true as of yesterday, too. But we're telling you about it on the podcast. The Sabres are sitting in a playoff spot. If the season were to end today, your Buffalo Sabres would make the playoffs. Nice. We're only a quarter of the way through the season, if that.
00:07:11
Speaker
So there's still so incredibly much that can change. But I think it's been a hot minute since this team has been in this position um around Thanksgiving. um Now, I also want to talk real quick. Go ahead. ah Before we get we get we move beyond this, this is my one NHL hockey fact that I know that Jake has taught me. Guys, what week is it?
00:07:37
Speaker
Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week. And what do we always want to be in and Thanksgiving week playoff spot in a playoff spot. All right. There we go. All right. fantastic Yeah. I believe Jake's wise words are you can, uh, you can't make the playoffs by in thanks or at Thanksgiving, but you can definitely prevent yourself from making the playoffs. We have not prevented ourselves from not making the playoffs by. Yeah. giving So, well, I guess it's not Thursday yet. So there's still time. but Right. Right. And folks, not even, not even, you should Tom, because not even are we just in a wildcard spot. We are chilling very comfortably as of the recording of this podcast at 7 40 PM Eastern time. We are sitting in third in the Atlantic division, which is just, I mean, Jake, what is it?
00:08:26
Speaker
Uh, it is absurd. I don't want to rain on parades. However, Tampa Bay has played 19 games. We've played 21. They're only a point behind and they are up four to one against the Colorado. right now tongue needs it is You are technically correct that we are in third place in the division and technically correct is the best kind of correct, but it will not stand.
00:08:49
Speaker
beyond the next two hours. and I'm sorry to say that. I know. I'm such a downer. I'm such a downer. I can't help it. I have to be real. He's got it in his bones. pessimism god I was even ready to enjoy the last two hours of it. yeah and oh man I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry. you like it Do you enjoy kicking puppies too, dude? Or what's like what's your vibe? As long as I can get some good height on them.
00:09:16
Speaker
Oh, no. Oh, no. oh Talk to me about it. So what's changed? Right. That last week, it was doom and gloom. You know, send them home, rack it up. Don't do it. And now we now we have a different week. So we went to that. We went to with the West Coast, went on our little West Coast tour, which we were kind of luke you know like, hey, we had a little bit of optimism, but OK, let's not go out there and make a fool of ourselves. But let's just get home with a couple of points. And I think did more than that. Right. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. ja Go ahead.
00:09:43
Speaker
We recorded last after the Philadelphia game and Tom, you and I watched that when no knowledge watched it too. And it was, it was a tough game to watch.
Sabres' Performance Highlights
00:09:50
Speaker
They didn't look good. Yeah. I mean, just got outclassed, outplayed, you've lost a couple of guys with some injuries and things like that. So every team, every team in the league has games that are just stinkers every year. You.
00:10:02
Speaker
you hope your team avoids them where you can, but it is just not possible. The Rangers got blown out the other night, you know, like that those games happen. So I think juxtaposition wise, last week we were talking about off the back of that we were talking about where they were and it was it was a little doom and gloom.
00:10:19
Speaker
And historically, West Coast trips have not treated the team very nicely. So there was a bit of a, oh god, here comes the gauntlet. So now here on the other side of the West Coast trip, things went well. And things went, best case scenario, points wise. And a good looks from the team throughout. I think there's some more words that we'll get into. But overall, you come away from the trip with six points.
00:10:45
Speaker
Things are things out of how many possible six six. Yeah, that's pretty good. I'd say that's about as good as you could do. ah but Yeah. And I think the really big thing that you touched on there, Jake, that I think is super important was the way that we won those games. Right. um I think I mean, so to to just kind of dive into it here before we get into some other like newsy type things. um But L.A. was the toughest game of the three in terms of standings and stuff like that in terms of team on paper that's a good team right now and they are also comfortably in a playoff spot um and I thought I mean first and foremost shout out UPL in that game I mean his first shutout of the season um he looked unbelievable that game I thought I honestly felt like in that game he made the goaltending position look easy
00:11:33
Speaker
um And I think when goalies are doing that, the thing that they're doing the best at in that moment is just their positioning and reading of the game in front of them. um When you're in the proper position, any save is really easy, right? And that's you know why why shots like one-timers and stuff like that are so huge in the game of hockey because it's the quickest way to catch the goalie out of position.
00:11:54
Speaker
Right. But I mean, no matter what the shot is, if the goalie is in a good position for that shot, the safe can be easy. And I felt like everything that he faced that night looked very easy. His positioning was spot on. And I felt like he was just the game looked like it was moving in slow motion for him a lot of the time. Yeah, he he looked incredible and he kept the game competitive without him playing the way he did.
00:12:18
Speaker
They're not coming away from that. Yeah, made several huge saves. Huge saves and the team in front of them could only muster one goal. um Tough to do that against a team like L.A. without your leading scorer at the time. But yeah, he he really kept him in that game and and stole the two points, I thought, from L.A. on the road because that team also has been since Jim Hiller, Jim Hiller, I think.
00:12:44
Speaker
let's go look that yeah whatever is Since he took over, the the team has an insane home record. They flash it on the broadcast. I can't remember the exact numbers, but very much a stalwart team to play against at home. um So huge props to come away with two points there.
00:13:01
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. Now, the next two games, I think, oh, real quick um with the Kings there, another power play goal from Zucker to to be to end up being the game winner there. um He's looked really, really, really nice on the power play.
00:13:17
Speaker
um and And the other day I was listening to After the Whistle podcast with Andrew Peters and Craig Ravey and Jake, I know you're not a huge fan there, but um they were talking this season about um the Jason Zucker signing and signing a guy like Jason Zucker to a deal that we did of five plus million dollars. What did that successful season look need to look like for him? um And they kind of settled like somewhere around 50 points, give or take a few.
00:13:44
Speaker
Um, maybe 50 to 55 somewhere in there. Um, and as of right now, I believe last night, look, Jason Zucker is on pace for like 51 or 52 points, uh, which is absolutely awesome. He's looked great in the power play. Um, not a ton of power play goals, less than I thought he had, but you know, still being a great network presence. And Jason Zucker has been a ah very, uh, pleasant addition this season. Yeah. 14 points through 21 games. You, you cannot ask for more from him. I mean, he's on pace for one of his best seasons in the NHL. So yeah.
00:14:14
Speaker
We'll see if that continues, but I mean, he's in a environment that I think lends itself well to scoring. So he very well could, very well could. Totally worth the 5 million. That was something I remember us talking about. We were like, oh, is Jason Zucker worth $5 million in 2024? I don't know.
00:14:35
Speaker
so over every and so far exactly yeah So after that nice little Kings dub there we transitioned over to Anaheim um and that game and another dub 3-2 in overtime and I'll kind of lump this in with the following game as well the San Jose game because they share a a common theme that to me is 100% an ingredient that um is necessary for a team to make any kind of a playoff run and that is a little bit of resiliency, the ability to bounce back when shit goes south because in both of those games we experienced a come from behind win there. um Against Anaheim we went down early to nothing
00:15:16
Speaker
um And then the final minutes of the second period now Goals in the in the final minute of a period can be backbreakers in and of themselves But for us to get to in the final minute of that second period against Anaheim Absolutely huge a solid third period there and then shout out Yuriko league dude who I think has looked Real real real nice up playing in Buffalo um Getting that overtime dove on a great shot there of a nice rebound from own power Yeah, for sure. And UPL, again, in that game, kept him in it. There were, before the Sabre scored any goals at all, Anaheim was up 2-0, and Anaheim was was buzzing around. There were a couple opportunities where I really thought, OK, this is going to be 3-0, and this game's out of reach. ah He kept him in. Kept him in the game, allowed them a chance to to be resilient, like you said. And I'm the Jerry Koolick. I'm trying to find the stats I saw. But yeah, I agree. He's he's great.
00:16:14
Speaker
He's particularly good five on five. Mm hmm. Yeah, he's he's been phenomenal. Yeah, I've liked I'd like the look of his game a lot, dude. He he looks for a young guy, man. And I and you know, I remember hearing about this when we drafted him, man. But for a young guy, he looks freaking strong on his skates, dude. Like I don't see him getting bumped around too much, man. He looks like he just has a powerful frame and really, really, really great contact balance.
00:16:42
Speaker
particularly with the puck, dude. i and And then you add into that, dude, the shot that he has, it's an absolutely elite shot. um And I don't know, man, like, I'll tell you what, I have absolutely zero desire to see him go back down to Rochester at this point. I really hope he stays. um Who knows what will end up happening? I wouldn't be shocked if they sent him back down, but um I like his game a lot right now, dude.
00:17:06
Speaker
I do too. Yeah, he's got a big, big frame. He's a, he's a bull out there. I found the stats i I saw earlier. So with Kulik on the ice against Anaheim, they outshot the ducks 10 to two at, this is all five on five numbers. Outshot the ducks 10 to two, outchanced Anaheim 10 to four and expected goal share was 75% in the Sabres favor.
00:17:25
Speaker
I mean, dude, great numbers that's killer. Yeah. Yeah. That's why he's done in Rochester. That's why he's done in Rochester all last two years. I think he's been down there. So yeah, yeah keep him up. Um, you know, scratch one of the other guys, rotate some other guys in all by Kubel.
00:17:42
Speaker
Lafferty, you know, get keep him in the lineup and when he comes back. that's That's all I have to say. I completely agree, dude. I couldn't agree with you more on that one. um So yeah, nice to see Cooley get, excuse me, his play rewarded with a nice OT dub there. um And then we bump over to San Jose. um You could also call this the the James Rimer game, dude. I mean,
00:18:04
Speaker
holy lord above he was uh absolutely unbelievable dude um i think uh probably earned the nickname this one's for you um i think we'll go with optimus rhyme dude hell yeah he was awesome he was unbelievable jake what did you think Yeah, he was great. I saw that one windmill save that you sent the group chat. um I mean, i know yeah I couldn't watch the whole game, unfortunately. But yeah, in incredible save. He played two games for Anaheim but before he came back to Buffalo on waivers. And he did. I mean, did not look or play well. Numbers were good. I test wasn't good. But he's also playing in front of an Anaheim team that shouldn't be that good of a team this year. and There's a lot of young talent there, but they're not.
00:18:50
Speaker
they're not progressing. When a team's rebuilding like Anaheim, you want to see the younger players stepping up, even if you're losing, but that's really not happening there. It's it's some of the older guys that are carrying the team through whatever success they have. So yeah and anyways, but but with Rimer, yeah, I mean, you like to think a better environment he's playing in front of, and he he he looked good. I mean, it justifies sending Levi down and getting him some playing time. I think you can trust him with back-to-backs like that. Yeah, yeah, for sure, dude. And I still think, like, I still imagine I mean, if you were to extrapolate the UPL Rimer tandem over a full 82 game season, I bet it's probably going to look like 60 games for UPL and the rest going to Rimer there. that's That's what I imagine this split will kind of resemble um as long as it is the split. I think UPL has very much earned the role of the number one goalie on this team, despite a great game from James Rimer. I don't really think we've seen enough of a sample size of James Rimer ever being a consistent starter in this league.
00:19:51
Speaker
Um, so, you know, I think that split will probably heavily favor UPL, but you're right, Jake, it'll it'll just be good to have him, you know, for those back to backs and you know, every now and again, when you want to get your, your starter arrest there. Um, anywhere you want to add in on the goalies there, Jake, or should we just talk about this game a little bit more?
Sabres' Player and Strategy Analysis
00:20:09
Speaker
No, I just real quickly, I agree with you. I think I think Rimer should be the backup. I think yeah UPL has has lock and key locked up the starting position for sure. He's 13th in the NHL in goals saved above expected. um he's playing He's playing well. He ride ride him as long as you can. Yeah, I don't care. It's not good to play goalies more than 60, 65 games, but if that's going to get you in the playoffs, I don't particularly care this year.
00:20:36
Speaker
He's young. He'll be fine. um Yeah, so in addition to the being the Optimus Rhyme game there, excuse me again, 31 saves on 33 shots for a 0.939 save percentage with some absolute doozies in there. um Overall, it was a great 4-2 win from the boys.
00:20:52
Speaker
um and another comeback come from behind when they're awesome snip from Krebsy um ah that the the goal of the Peyton Krebs scored was absolutely unbelievable. um It was awesome to see Dylan Cousins get a goal at full strength there. um I thought overall though this was a game where Dylan Cousins looked really, really well or looked really, really good period. um He had a very, very, very good chance for goal number two that he was robbed on. It was a great save by I'm blanking on who was in net for San Jose, but
00:21:22
Speaker
really good pleasure because either up yeah Yeah, Mackenzie Blackwood, right? ye Good to call, Jake. Thank you. um Yeah, so, brought by Blackwood on that one, but really good game from Kuzzy, I thought. um The game-winning goal from Alex Tuck, dude, I mean, whoo, that short-handed goal.
00:21:40
Speaker
If you haven't seen it, folks, go look it up. I'll I'm sure I retweeted it from the team, the team X account or the the team, the podcast X account. um But dude, that play on the penalty kill from Alex Tuck there was nothing short of kick ass, dude. If he's dirty, he is right now for my money, dude. I mean, three short handed goals on the season. Can you have a selkie conversation without including Alex Tuck? I think if you are, you're wrong.
00:22:10
Speaker
I think you can have the conversation for sure. I don't know if I don't know if you're going to win that one for Tuck, but I think I think you can include him in the conversation. And that's that's that's a that's a market of success in itself. Yeah. And that's all I need is is it just i because I wouldn't give it to him today either. But I mean, I think he absolutely should be in the conversation. at least He's having a really, really awesome two way season so far.
00:22:32
Speaker
Yeah, three short handed goals through 21 games is is real nice and he's he's been a great penalty killer. His speed is lethal picking so fast, picking off those passes at the point.
00:22:43
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, I agree with you. I thought cousins look good and I'm happy to hear that because he he's somebody that kind of struggled through the beginning part of the year and all last year. And yeah, you really need him to be going for you. He's kind of the opposite of what we just talked about with Cooley. Like I feel that he he tends to get knocked off Fox easy and looks a little spindly like sometimes. um Which was not supposed to be his game. I mean, DC was, I mean, coming out of the draft projected to be like more of like a power forward.
00:23:12
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Agreed. But he he hasn't, I don't know, to me, he hasn't really filled out a whole lot. So I hope if if he can, if he can unlock that and start winning more board battles, I think he's going to be lethal because his shot is, is pretty decent. I think. and Did you see the goal he scored in the same that San Jose game? that That goal he scored was an absolute howitzer from the blue line, dude.
00:23:33
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. for sure that that The passing on that play was was ah it was it was nice. it was Oh, God, dude. and i So good. And it goes to his IQ, too. He was kind of directing traffic at the at the blue line with the the the D-Pairs, kind of knocking the fuck back and forth and then over to him in the in the slot, the high slot. um So I think he's a smart player. I think just getting some more physical tools with him will be it'll unlock more success with him.
00:24:01
Speaker
Yeah, um before we get into just some general notes on the on the season so far, Jagan, you have some great stuff here that I want you to go through. um i there's There's one more guy that I am just feeling an inherent need to shout out, um and that is Zach Benson, dude. there I think, so like Zach Benson's numbers are not turning anyone's heads. No one's looking at Zach Benson's numbers and going, oh my god, this guy is unreal. but no And he's considered a skill player.
00:24:28
Speaker
But no one's talking about that in a negative way. No one's no one's bitching about Benson being like, oh, man, he's you know he's not putting up points. And i would I would point the question at you, Jake. Why do we have a skill player who is putting up no points, but nobody's complaining about him?
00:24:44
Speaker
Yeah, I think people like when he was drafted, undersized. And I think when you are drafted and you're undersized like that, I'm saying undersized in their quotes. But I think the easy thing to latch onto is that, well, if he's undersized, then he must be very skilled and able to score a lot. um But that has just not been his game this year. He hasn't put up a lot of points, like you said. But he's been excellent defensively, and he's very mature with the puck.
00:25:12
Speaker
um
00:25:15
Speaker
Going back to the Alex Tuck for Selkie, I think Zach Benson could be right up there with Alex Tuck as far as playing well defensively for the Sabres. He's been awesome on the penalty kill. Just when he when he gets the puck, I'm not i'm not i' not worried about what he's going to do with it. Like you can be sometimes with a 19-year-old kid. He's very responsible with it and makes good decisions. So yeah, his hockey IQ is phenomenal. And i think I think that shows. I think i think people watching the Sabres are generally fairly intelligent about hockey and can see that he is, even if he's not, you know, tickling the twine every night, he is making a positive impact on the games that he's, he's playing. Do you like tickling twine, Dom? Yeah, yes, yes, yes. Yeah, dude, I, yeah man, and Jake, you like, you said it perfectly, dude.
00:26:07
Speaker
I am so impressed with this kid's game right now, dude And you said like you don't get nervous hell dude when he's got the puck man I start to get stoked because I think his vision on the ice is absolutely awesome I think dude this kid's gonna fill out a little bit more ah probably a lot of it more I Man, I just love Zach Benson's game right now, dude. He's so tenacious and this guy sticks his face in every single fan that he can find it I don't care if he's standing next to Victor headman who is like two and a half beats taller than him bro he doesn't give a shit he doesn't care how big you are man he and he goes to bat for the guys on the team
00:26:48
Speaker
Right. Like the only other guy I really feel like I see do that with consistency right now is probably Dolly and Clifton. But Benny, dude, anytime, anytime something needs to be addressed and he's on the ice, he's the first one there. And he's the smallest guy every time, dude. I just have so much respect for the way that he's carrying himself. And I think he looks awesome. Yeah, for sure. And as far as the the counting stats go, the points, the assists, the goals, those will come. Like a lot of young players come into the league and ah Offense can come easy to some people, and that's that's kind of the only part of their game that they have. But that doesn't doesn't work in the playoffs, first of all. And second of all, is not a good way to develop. the The players that have success come in and figure out the defensive side of things, and the numbers will come later. So I'm not worried about that at all. Yeah, nor am I. Yeah. Well, Jake, you got some really great data here to take us through. If you if I could ah pass the baton over to you, my mike good-looking guy.
00:27:48
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. So I wanted to do this. but Thank you, by the way. ah who and so back um yeah So we're 21 games through the season. So once you get to the 20 game mark, that's where the stats, the numbers, you start to get some statistical meaningful information there. And so I wanted to kind of look at where we are. And I think it's kind of a story of the first month to the second month to the October to the November.
00:28:15
Speaker
So first first off, I just want to talk about the offense. Two seasons ago, we had the third best offense in the entire NHL. Scoring was not an issue. It was the defensive side of the puck that was the issue. In that season, we had 520 goal scorers.
00:28:31
Speaker
so five guys that were scoring at least 20 goals. that's ah That's a good mark for anyone that doesn't follow the NHL. Getting to 20 goals in the NHL is not easy to do, and having five of those guys on your team means your ah offense is humming a little bit. So we did it that year. The last time before that that that happened was 2010-2011, which is the last year that we made the playoffs.
00:28:53
Speaker
So what I'm trying to get at the offense is humming. We have five guys that are on pace for that. And that's not including Dylan cousins who has four goals right now. He could get hot and very easily hit that 20 goal mark. So I think the odds of that happening are good. I think that's a sign of the offense being healthy. Um, and yeah, keep, keep that rolling. The other part of that that kind of plays in is.
00:29:20
Speaker
the defensive players pitching into the offense. The team is built from the back end. We have three guys that either are or project to be number one defenseman in the NHL. So Dalene, Owen Power, and Bo Byram. All three of those guys are playing phenomenally. Bo Byram is the quote unquote worst of those three, 13 points in 21 games. And it's just a rover out there. I mean, he he moves around like no one else.
00:29:46
Speaker
And Nigel, Owen Power, second amongst defenseman and even strength scoring through 21 games with 15 points, trailing only Kale McCarr with one extra point at 16.
00:29:59
Speaker
Absolutely unreal, dude. And I'll tell you what, I don't know if either of you guys have seen it. Jake, maybe you have. Owen Power has been getting just shredded this season on X. And I for the life of me cannot understand why, dude. He has had a handful, very small handful ah of defensive blunders this year.
00:30:21
Speaker
And but I think you could probably three or four. Most guys do. Most guys do. And he's like, I know we people are still sick of it. But Owen Power is a very young defenseman still. Defensemen are in their prime at age 28, 29 and 30. He ain't even sniffing that dude. So, I mean, he, you know, people got to lay off, dude, because I think, I mean, for those couple of bad plays, he has been So good, man, he's had a couple of three point games this season. I just think Owen Power has been really, really, really, I mean, quite good this season, dude. And then not I mean, those numbers, at least offensively speak for themselves. Yeah. Well, I could I could care less about the couple of defensive gas. I mean, when he was drafted, no, no one, no one was expecting him to come in and be this you you know stud defensive player. He he
00:31:17
Speaker
His pedigree was always that he was lethal in the offensive zone at creating offense, both individually and for his teammates. um So yeah, no, I'm not I'm not upset by that at all. I mean, let him create out there, give him ah avenues to do that, not necessarily stopping chances against let other guys do that. I'm i'm fine with that because I guarantee you I haven't looked into stats on this. I guarantee you he is creating more than he is allowing.
00:31:47
Speaker
i I would be willing to bet whatever amount of money that you are correct on that. And then the other guy, before we get to a question, Daliin has been incredible. He's tied for fifth in the league as far as defensemen go. He's tied for fifth in scoring. He's got 19 points over the 21 games that he's played. And that's with a very slow start included there. He he had two assists and only two assists through his first eight games. And he was playing with a little bit of an injury. I think we knew.
00:32:15
Speaker
early on in the season. But since that time, he's had 17 points over his last 13 games. He had a seven game point streak, I think in their seven or eight games. He's, he's been, he's been the true leader on the, on the backend for us. Yeah. Yeah. It does. I mean,
00:32:31
Speaker
There's there's at this point you know what the story with Darlene is he's he's a top 10 defenseman in the NHL, and then you can make a case that he's top six top seven. I don't know if you could get him in the top five just yet but he's an elite scoring defenseman. I think there's absolutely potential there for him to, you know, I mean he could be a Norris winner.
00:32:49
Speaker
You know, I mean, he could lead the league in points for defenseman. He's he's got all that potential. um And, you know, I think I think that offensive potential has always been there. And we've seen that from day one. But I think my favorite thing about him is still just the growth in his defensive game and the jam in his game, dude. I mean, I mentioned him as the other guy that is not hesitating at all to stick up for somebody when he's on the ice. I mean, he's right there every time, dude. And Val's takes no shit on top of that insane, insane skill.
00:33:19
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. All right. Should we hit this question before we move on to, I want to talk about special teams too, but. Yeah, let's do it real quick. What do we got? Nigel, when will they find someone to put the puck in the net on a consistent basis? Kevin needs to add an additional forward that is proven.
00:33:38
Speaker
wow That's a hot button issue right now that I've seen is is people still wanting Kevin Adams to to add another scoring player. And my response to that is, right now, we're sitting in a really solid spot in the playoffs. Now, there have been a handful of games where we haven't put the pucks that we need to in the net. That being said, um I still hold hold out a lot of hope that Jack Quinn is going to find himself. I think that is your answer right there, truly. um ah Especially and you know once you get Tate Thompson back too. you know it's It's huge. The difference that Tate Thompson makes in your depth chart is is massive.
00:34:22
Speaker
right Like when you lose one guy like that, the trickle-down effect for the rest of the bottom lines, dude, is at you know the bottom nine is is just crazy. um And I think getting Tage Thompson back does a lot. I think Jordan Greenway coming back does a lot. um i I just feel very confident that the answer is I'm still holding out hope.
00:34:44
Speaker
that it's going to be Jack Quinn. Now we've heard a lot of rumors too that Kevin Adams is out there looking to get who he can. I mean, he's, you know, he's there. I've seen a lot of rumors in fact, and they're not just random people. I mean, a fridge has reported that they're looking, you know, we're called making calls on top six forward. So it's possible that he's still looking around. um yeah You know, I just don't want him to sell the farm on it. Jake, what are your thoughts on it?
00:35:08
Speaker
No, I agree. I hope I hope I hope he is out there looking. And if there's a player that could bring in, I think he should do it. Absolutely. No questions asked. I think the the point you make on Quinn is interesting. And I agree with you. I think he needs to find it a little bit. He's a lot of it. He's not looked great. He doesn't have the speed that he's had in the past. um or The the burst skating that he he has, like he is a good skater, but it he hasn't shown it this year.
00:35:38
Speaker
and I think also on that note prior to this season throughout his career he shot a 12.8% clip. 12.8% of the shots he has goes in the net. This year, any guesses on what he's shooting? I think it's zero.
00:35:52
Speaker
No, it's it's not quite there, but it's 3.3. So it is low. I think it's one goal in the air. Oh, he's got an empty netter. That's right. well Yeah, exactly. ah So I think that will come up. I think he will start putting in more points. I don't expect him to get to 50, 60 points. But you know if if you can get 40, 45 points out of Jack Quinn, I think that helps bolster your offense a little bit.
00:36:18
Speaker
Yeah. I, I just, I, I've said it so many times on this podcast and I'm sticking with it, dude. It feels like, it feels like the difference maker to me. I think Dylan cousins and Jack Quinn having good offensive output. That is, that is your secret to this team making the playoffs. And I'm, yeah I still am sticking to that. Yeah. Unlock those guys for sure. But I think the other, the other side of this, people were saying people were upset that ah Kevin Adams didn't fill the X million that Skinner was occupying, right? So there's still this cap space that they have that they could have gone and added somebody. And I think that's a fair critique and we've talked about that and I agree with that. However,
00:37:02
Speaker
Jason Zucker and Jeff Skinner are having fairly similar offensive outputs this season. He's playing for an excellent team with a great offensive environment in Edmonton. I don't think it's crazy that Jason Zucker is kind of your replacement for him. I don't love it. I think there's better options out there. But as far as the production net net, it's pretty much there.
00:37:23
Speaker
I do. Zucker is out playing Jeff Skinner point wise, fairly considerably. Last I looked, I think he's got like five more points than him on the season, something like that. So, I mean, in terms of production, Zucker is currently oh well ahead of Jeff Skinner.
00:37:40
Speaker
So, I mean, which is absolutely fine by me. I don't know if that's changed since the last time I looked at it, but I'm i'm pretty sure that that Zucker is pretty far ahead of Jeff Skinner in terms of points. Hopefully I don't. Yeah. What do you have it in front of you? I do. Yeah. Skinner has four goals, three assists, seven points and Zucker's doubling them up. He's got 14 points on the air. So yeah. Like what do we do it? Yeah. Skinner. I mean, he's, he's, I don't know what's going on over there in Edmonton, but he, he hasn't done a ton.
00:38:10
Speaker
I so think there's some decline there. I mean, I don't think it's the wrong decision to have cut ties with him. You said it, not me, Jake, but I agree with you. ah Incoming Stanley Cup game-winning goal for Jeff. Yeah, right. I know, right. but um oh you know ah Some decline doesn't mean he's a bad player. I don't i don't know that way. No, no, no.
00:38:33
Speaker
All right, so moving along. I did want to talk about special teams because this is where I was mentioning the tale of two teams. So October and November, night and day difference for both of these. Right now on the year, Buffalo's power play is sitting 22nd in the NHL at 17.5%.
00:38:50
Speaker
Not great. You don't want it there. However, they started the year in October, 10 games in October, 6.9% power play abysmal. They were 32nd out of 32 teams in the NHL, but November they are sitting sixth in the NHL through November games played 26 and a half percent on the power play through 11 games, healthy looking power play. I feel that there's a chance they score when they get ah a call. Um,
00:39:17
Speaker
Yeah, great so far. Have you noticed anything, Nigel, about that? what's what's What's making it click? So what right now what I'm seeing in terms of the savers power play when they are the most successful with it They're managing to catch that guy that that bumper guy in front of the net there So for those that don't know um the most common power play set up these days that teams are running is typically um Kind of what you could call like like a one three one sort of and Jake if you think you disagree with anything I'm saying here hop in but usually you got a guy at the top and you got a guy at either either wing and And then you have this bumper guy who sits in the middle kind of in the slot pretty close to the goalie. And then there's usually a guy behind the net. um Usually that bumper player for the Sabres is either Dylan Cousins or Alex Tuck, depending on the power play unit that's out there.
00:40:07
Speaker
um But where I'm finding the most success, and I think this is the Rasmus Darlene effect when you have a super mobile elite skill, number one defense man up at the top teams have to honor that. And so I think that penalty killer that is, you know, up at that top point has to get a little bit closer to Darlene and he would like and therefore allows whoever is in that bumper position to come up the ice a little bit to create a little bit more space. And I'm finding that when we are able to keep that guy active in terms of some shots on goal, that is when our power play has looked lethal. That has been the thing I've noticed the most about the month of November on the power play.
00:40:44
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. No, I totally agree with you. The the bumper position on the power play is is the most important on the power play for my money. um Having a good bumper player can make or break your power play. It opens up so many lanes and opportunities for you to get the puck to the net if that player is able to shake loose and and find a seam.
00:41:05
Speaker
ah So yeah, I think cousin cousins and talk have done a good job there I'm not sure if it's any other players that have really slot in there on a consistent basis, but Totally agree with you that that's been night and day difference for them. Yeah, Zucker's been in that spot too. So yeah Yeah, for sure. it is So yeah, anyways through November 6th in the NHL On the flip side the PK going down a man in October seventy four point two percent in ten games in It's fine. It's not great in November, 85.7% in 11 games, which in that period in the month of November is also sixth in the NHL overall right now. They're on the season 12th in the and NHL at about an 80% clip. I'm very pleased with that for a penalty kill. ah Both of those numbers.
00:41:51
Speaker
Most, most teams that make the playoffs are not in the bottom half of the league in penalty killing or power play. So you gotta, you gotta to continue to hammer that, make teams pay when they take penalty against you and stuff it down to the other end of the ring when you're on the PK. Yeah. Yeah, dude. PK is the killer. Absolutely. i We don't need to talk a ton about it. It's looked really good. So, Nij, what's next for the Sabres? Where are we heading?
00:42:16
Speaker
Yeah, we'll bust through this real quick because we talked about the Sabres for a long time here, but it's fun when it's positive. ah Next few games, Wednesday, November 27th, we are playing the Minnesota Wild at 7 p.m. Eastern time. I believe that is a home game. Black Friday, Friday, 11, 29, November 29th, we're playing the Vancouver Canucks at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
00:42:38
Speaker
little a little come home after your morning shopping and hang out, watch a like hockey game. And then Saturday, November 30th at the New York Islanders um at 7 30 p.m. um Should be those those are going to be some tough games there. Minnesota is a really solid team right now. Vancouver, you know, we know what they're about. They've got um some very, very elite offensive weapons and defensive weapons in Queen Hughes.
00:43:04
Speaker
And then we know what the Islanders are. They're not awesome, but they can be an absolute bitch to play against. So any any quick thoughts on those guys, Jake, are you good? This this next couple of weeks is a tough stretch. Minnesota, Vancouver, New York,
Bills' Mid-Season Review
00:43:20
Speaker
Colorado, Winnipeg. After that, there's some tough games coming up on the schedule. well yeah Yeah. So got to keep banking points where you can. That's all I got for sure. Tom.
00:43:32
Speaker
You still awake over there, buddy? Nice. Oh, I've been drinking beer. Listen to my buddies talk about Buffalo Sports. This is great. I am i am doing fantastic. well Well, Tom, you have to start talking now. Would you lead us through something to do with these gosh darn bills? I'm terrible at that.
00:43:46
Speaker
so um Yeah, folks, I mean, like what ah this has been a lovely little bye week. I've hoped you all enjoyed our ah big old win over the Chiefs and be able to kind of just walk around a little extra pep in your step. Imagine if we lost that game, right? And we had to spend two weeks thinking about our Chiefs loss, of course, of anybody, right? Like, thank God we won that game. ah Don't want to do that? but No, no.
00:44:11
Speaker
Um, so been really, really great. Um, hope you've all enjoyed it. And we're now we're getting into, um, week 12 here and, um, the, uh, we're taking on the 49ers later this weekend on, uh, the Sunday night football, which we'll talk about in a bit, but before we do get there, I want to just talk a little bit of a mid season check-in. We'll do it a little Albion, uh, briefly here, but, um, just kind of go around the horn here. Um, I'm going to start with, uh, with Nigel with you. What's, what's kind of your temperature on the bills 12 weeks in? Like what what are your prevailing thoughts? What's on the, like the tip of your tongue here?
00:44:41
Speaker
i Yeah, dude, I mean, I think it's similar for a lot of people man. i'm I'm Surprised honestly, nobody expected this. I certainly did not expect this I think of the three of us I was the one that was the most negative in terms of my record prediction on the season um And if you had told me that at this point we'd be 92 I would have said you're an absolute buffoon. So I make no mistake Happy to hold my L on that one. But yeah my prevailing thought 12 weeks in dude pleasantly pleasantly surprised I'm a, I'm very stoked that my 13 and four is still a alive boys and very realistic. So I'm going to, I'm going to, I'm going to parade that over both of you. I hope you take any kind of just like, what's your, what's your prevailing thought of where this bill's team is at at this point? Like any, anything that's sticking in your mind of what's going through is what's happened or what's going to be coming up here in the next few weeks? I think not just said it. Well, like a little, a little surprised just with the turnover on the roster. Like there was kind of a big,
00:45:41
Speaker
Exodus of, of major named players on both sides of the ball over the off season. So yeah, I don't know. It's surprised feeling good. It's feeling 69 and fine. I suppose. is the we but ah Nice. Um, I think that's just such a great symptom of we're eight years into this build with being a McDermott and other teams don't get that, right? We've seen so many other coaches get fired after their second year.
00:46:08
Speaker
And we've been able to sustain that. It helped that Mick Dermott had had um success early, right? That was able to get to the playoffs in his first you know his first year and and you know and then kind of just go from there. So we broke the we broke the drought and boom, boom, boom. So that was awesome. But the fact that we've been able to build, this is a system now.
00:46:26
Speaker
This isn't just, hey, Bean is trying to go get some free agency players and hopefully hits in the draft. He and McDermott are able to set up a system where of the players and the type of players with the traits and the personality traits, both physical physically and and and the character traits of what is what are the men that we want to get into this building.
00:46:44
Speaker
and And now we're seeing the fruit of this, right? We can watch Micah Hyde quasi-retire, Jordan Poirier go to Miami, Mitch Morris leave with Stephon Diggs go to Houston. Like we can watch all these players leave and we can still get What's better, right? like Like arguably better in some situations. Nothing almost about it, dude. It is a better team, right? Because, man, Nigel and I were talking about this this week over in and a text thread. Like, I think it's because, A, the very talented rooms, right? Very young, very talented with lots of um opportunity. But also, I'd like to say that most of these guys, they go to war for each other, right? This is the right combo of players right now. Not that to say that we've had me, we've had technically more talented teams in the past, I think in 2020, you know, that what a team that was awesome to see. But, but this might be the right combination, which I think will help push us through um into January. But I think this is, this is cool. We're seeing the fruit of all this happening over these last couple of years of trust in the process. Yeah, baby. I'm in it out, man. I'll eat that for breakfast.
00:47:50
Speaker
but also say to he So um just kind of quickly, what kind of needs to go right from now into the end of the season? um My big one that I want to talk about is is is health. And and i'm a kind of i there's kind of two sides of this coin. Right now, we I mean, last last week when we played the Chiefs, we had a bunch of players out. We had Keon Coleman.
00:48:11
Speaker
We had Mari Cooper out. We had Matt Milano activated, but still not... Oh, sorry. um His a window opened, but not activated, right? We had um a whole slew of players who are not healthy. We're gonna get more healthy, and then we have to stay healthy. We've just... We've been a freaking mash unit and entering the playoffs the last few years. It's been terrible. um Seeing AJ Klein come in off the freaking Arduino before he goes to Disney World. Like, um we need to stay healthy, and I think that we have a fighter's chance.
00:48:41
Speaker
Yeah, I think we're in a good place. Sorry, Nash, I think we're in a good place to kind of do that too, right? Like the division is all but locked up. And if, if, you know, if if the number one seed isn't really in play, then you could be in a position where you don't really need to lean on guys that are banged up in the last two, three weeks of the season, you can rest accordingly to help them be healthy for the first round of the playoffs.
00:49:07
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, totally, dude. And Tom, theres there isn't and really anything for me to add here. The most important thing going forward is, I guess, if you if you wanted to, if you like if I was legally required to add in one more thing, it would be Josh Antlen continuing his tendency and willingness to check down and just take the positive gains. I think that is probably with the second most important thing to this team's success um going down the stretch here. But number one is,
00:49:36
Speaker
Unequivocally staying healthy. No, give me give me a stretch and a playoff run of Terrell Bernard and map a lot of playing for Injecting it into my veins dude, please I deserve this we all do we all we all do that's what i want i when I when I say I in that but I speak for all of Bill's mafia, dude, like it is so we deserve to watch this team going healthy, dude. So everybody just keep the prayers up that everybody stays healthy. Yeah. If you want to require me to say something else in addition, it's Josh Allen continuing to show the maturity he has so far this season.
00:50:13
Speaker
Yeah, totally. Absolutely. Now, fun thing about the division. Yeah, this is some Tom Brady era shit, dude. Like this is insane. We um have a possibility of clinching the division on Sunday. There is a possibility. There's a world where that happens. The um the dolphins are the only ones within a ah spitting distance of anything happening. If they're playing so Thursday nights at eight twenty on. things Wait a minute. I thought the dolphins were supposed to win the Super Bowl this year. No, they are. They still have a chance, Nigel. So we got to keep them right. You know, we can't quite put them on the spit yet. OK, sorry. Get get it warmed up, would you? The the Dolphins are playing the Packers on Thursday night for Thanksgiving. If they lose that game and we get to Sunday and we win against the Niners 2024 AFC East Divisional Champs. Woo. Love it. So.
00:51:06
Speaker
There is a world, and if not, then I think it'll happen in ah and in the following week. But anyway, ah but so, but that's pretty cool. I think to be locked up December 1st is pretty good. That'd be sick. So um looking forward, our final six games look like this. We are hosting the Niners.
00:51:25
Speaker
We are going to the Los Angeles Rams. We are going to the Lions in Detroit. We are hosting the Patriots. We are hosting the Jets. We are going to New England and playing in Foxborough against the Patriots. So over that final stretch, I got to tell you guys, I i mean, there's there is there's a world that we go six and oh there's a world but I think I think more realistically it's five and one I think the Lions game is gonna be a hell of a game that's that's the game of the year I mean after Bill's Chiefs it's gonna be Bill's Lions like that's the next one you know yeah um ah but man God forbid something bad happens we go four and two then we're 13 and four waiting for that was waiting for that i just say yeah
00:52:11
Speaker
um That seems worst case scenario that we dropped to over the over the those last six. Yeah. Yeah. and And I mean, you know, when you can take a moment and just zoom out, you know, and somebody tells you that 13 and four is going to be your team's record in a full NFL season. You take that literally every single time and you run away with it. We've never done it.
00:52:34
Speaker
No, never done that isn's itlan I mean, it's it's an unbelievable record. It's I mean, yeah, dude, like you just there's nothing to be upset about with that. No, I mean, just because I am a little bit, you know, stitches. Obviously, the worst case news is that they drop all of them. But yes, yes, Nigel, that is possible. The more realistic, you know, bad case scenario is that they go for in two. But I just need to put it out there to the football gods that I am aware. We are aware that the worst possible case would be that they lose the rest of the game. And we're just cognizant that that's a possibility. how How hurt are we as a fan base? What is wrong with us? I do. I just it can all be taken away at any moment. Yes.
00:53:19
Speaker
Now, just some fun. We, uh, before in August, before season started, we did some bold predictions. Just want to do a little check in on that. Um, and the pals, I hope have not looked at my stats on the doc. So I hope they know, um, but myself, Tom, I predicted that, uh, Curtis Samuel will have 49 rushing attempts, 2.9 attempts per game. Any takers on the over under on that one, guys? I'm going to take the under yeah hammering the under. Anybody have a guess of how many he's had?
00:53:46
Speaker
I'm going to guess 13. Oh, I was going to go single digits. What is it? though You are aggressive, Nigel. It is three attempts for six yards on the season. So. Not used. Now I thought, that's fine. We'll see. maybe he can Maybe he's starting to heat up. So maybe something happens. Now I'm going to pile together Jake and I. Jake just um predicted that Von Miller and Groot would have 20 plus sacks. I predicted that Ed Oliver and Groot would have 20 plus sacks. And boy, oh boy, door boys need to be productive. Groot at the moment is has five and a half sacks on an eight and a half sack 17 game pace. Ed Oliver has won.
00:54:23
Speaker
I'm not going to give you his 17 game pace. so um And Von Miller has four. So a six sacks game pace. 17 game pace, excuse me. So yeah, who knows, right? it To be honest with you, this team does well if our D line comes alive at the end of the year. so Maybe we we'll see some production. Who knows? um But not so great. Nigel um predicted that Terrell Bernard would lead the NFL linebackers and turnovers.
Upcoming Bills vs. 49ers Game Preview
00:54:50
Speaker
He has currently two interceptions. So now maybe not necessarily that particular stack, but the Bills lead the league in turnover differential at plus 14. So that's pretty good. Pretty sure that's what I said anyway.
00:55:02
Speaker
Yeah, pretty sure that's what you said, right? And that means their fifth total in total turnovers, excuse me. So I think, I mean, this is a defense that is going for those big splash plays and it's going pretty well. Now, Nigel's other prediction was that Ray Davis would supplant James Cook as the number one running back. He has not. Any takers on the number of touches for James Cook? So it includes rush attempts and receptions.
00:55:32
Speaker
for the year? For the year. I'm gonna guess. Oh, God. Okay, it's 162. I was gonna be closer to 200. And Davis is at 79. So um not quite there, but still, you know, a pretty like important role for this offense. He's, it's clear that, Hey, we have a one, two punch. So I liked the thought and I know it was a bold prediction. So you had to be bold and say, you know, kind of take a little bit of a different slant there, but I think that's good. That's good. yeah it's also Not the end of the year yet too. That's true. He did say by week nine, so we're past that. So nice oh flo I don't, don't give him, yeah, don't give him any credit. um
00:56:20
Speaker
And then finally, Jake, I would like you to put on your crown that you have behind you because you have nailed a bold prediction so far on Mr. Tyler Bass, the one that none of us believed in.
00:56:32
Speaker
so both Ready? Jake ah predicted that he would tie his season stat, oh sorry, excuse me, restart, that Tyler Bass's season stats would tie or be better than his career average of 84.9%. He's currently at 86.4.
00:56:52
Speaker
Wow. And we're done. And we're down on them, right? I don't know if we should be as down. Maybe it's the timing that we need him to figure out and you know kick the kicks you need to. right um And ah his other part of this was that he would set a new career long. Jake, do you remember this?
00:57:08
Speaker
I do. I forgot. it I saw it happen, but I forgot I made the prediction. Yeah, I just not even a career long a franchise freakin record of 61 yards to beat the Miami Dolphins and ah essentially closed the book on them for the year. So I stop, but hey, oh thank you. Something about a blind squirrel.
00:57:30
Speaker
I'm hoping to be honest, I hope that continues because that means then tires playing well and that helps us through the end of the year. Um, okay. So real quick, boys, let's fly through a little bit of prep for the Niners, uh, coming to Buffalo next week, Sunday, uh, December 1st, um, Sunday night football in front of the worlds at 8 20 PM. Uh, we're hosting the Niners real, just some quick little thoughts on that, on this from me. Um, the Niners are five and six right now in our reeling.
00:57:58
Speaker
It's an injury-riddle team. um And to be honest, I'm not sure they're going to be much more healthy coming to Buffalo. So I think this is a team that we need to make sure that we just take our care of our business. However, they're going to be desperate. They're at the bottom of their division. They're at the bottom of the NFC West, which is insane. They're defending Super Bowl champs. No, sorry. They went to the Super Bowl. they They were defending NFC champs. Let me rephrase that. Defending NFC champs.
00:58:25
Speaker
You know that they're trying to save face, so they're going to be dangerous, but this has to be a team that we just go in and and take care of. Are injuries the only thing that's gone wrong for them or do you see other symptoms?
00:58:37
Speaker
um I'd say this is probably a good case to be made that they're slumping is a major factor or consequence of the injuries i for my money. I He's playing now, though. So yeah i mean yeah, I mean, I guess I'm not I'm not I'm not um not I don't feel um I have enough of background knowledge to tell you whether or not there's something else going on. But but I would say injuries. Yeah. Yeah, that's that's the big storyline for them coming in. I still think I mean, just knowing but what we know about this bill's defense, which is they're prone to give up the runs. Right.
00:59:32
Speaker
Two words and those two words are Christian McCaffrey. I mean, for my money, he is still the best. I mean, I guess Saquon's making a case now, but, um, or Derek Henry, but, uh, for my money as an overall back, I still think Christian McCaffrey is, is the most talented guy in the league. Um, I know he's probably still coming back from injury. There's probably still some conditioning that needs to ramp up, but don't, oh my God, don't let this guy break the game wide open because he'll ruin your day.
00:59:59
Speaker
Yes, sir. Now, ah McDermott is 7-0 off the bye week. So he, the guy knows how to prepare a team to get ready to go. So I have all the faith in the world that he'll have this bills team ready to deal with whatever the Niners can cook up and send our way. But Um, yeah, no, it's going to be a big one and it's going to be in front of the world, right? It's eight 20 off a Thanksgiving weekend. Like everybody's going to be watching and hanging out. So this would be a great one to have. Just put a nice marquee win hosted in Buffalo, let the bills mafia kind of come alive and show off what we got. So I think that's going to be important. Any other prevailing thoughts, boys? Go bills.
01:00:34
Speaker
Ah, I love it. All right, folks, thank you so much for hanging out. We um appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving. Please give us a like and a follow. Hit that little ding bell guy. They'll give us ah some ah notifications when we go live. And um yeah, Tom, happy Thanksgiving to you. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for spending some time with us. Please give us a like and a follow on Instagram, X, TikTok and our YouTube channel at Let's Go Buff Pod.
01:00:59
Speaker
These are my pals, Jake and Nigel. My name is Tom and you're listening to the Let's Go Buffalo podcast. We're sending you love wherever you are. Go Bills. Go Savers. Let's go Buffalo.