10/29/24: We have a frisky football team... do we have a frisky hockey team?
Download MP3We are back with the Buffalonian Podcast. I'm Joe Cali. As always, I'm joined by none other than Dom Loss. And, Dom, we have a Bills victory to speak on today. They grounded the Seattle Seahawks in a big way, came out swinging for the first time really this season.
JoeCali:They got a quick start they were looking for. Big big point of the season. They were not doing that, so that's a good sign. But, you know, they they stuck it right to the NFCC Hawks. What are your thoughts before we dive in here?
Dom Loss:Yeah. I think, it's a situation where well, first off, it's kinda cool where this is the first time Josh has started in Seattle. First time Sean McDermott has coached, in Seattle. I think the I think there's one yeah. One team that they have not played in their home building as I coached the, the whole bill of Sean McDermott.
JoeCali:Oh, look at that. You know this I mean, that I don't know who it is. No.
Dom Loss:I'll give you a guess. It was during COVID.
JoeCali:Have not played them in Their home building. In their home building. Only through Highmark.
Dom Loss:Well, maybe through Highmark. Maybe? I don't know. Who is it? San Fran.
Dom Loss:Oh. They played San Francisco in Arizona.
JoeCali:That's right.
Dom Loss:They're in COVID.
JoeCali:Yes. And
Dom Loss:that so this is the last team because they already played the Rams in LA because, they played them in the start up game in 21. I forgot about that. Oh, 21 or 22. Sorry.
JoeCali:I forgot about the San Francisco.
Dom Loss:So, yeah, San Francisco was the last one. And then Josh, I'm blanking. I think Indianapolis is the last place other than the San Francisco he hasn't started because he didn't start the last time they've been went to Indianapolis was, Josh's rookie season, and they got destroyed. But I think Derrick Anderson started that game because I think he had that elbow injury at that time. So I I think that's the only other I think that's the only place, that I could think of.
Dom Loss:Yeah. No. I'm wrong. I'm wrong. Josh has a bunch more.
Dom Loss:Because I forgot that I'm in the because Josh hasn't played in Carolina because that was the 1st McDermott year Yes. And, in Atlanta. So Okay. 3 3 spots. Sorry.
Dom Loss:I I I'm thinking of McDermott now that he gets, checked off. But yeah.
JoeCali:Interesting.
Dom Loss:Another thing that I mean No.
JoeCali:Another thing to look at here.
Dom Loss:Random fact of the day. Sorry.
JoeCali:No. You know? Listen. It's very interesting. I I would not I forgot about the whole San Francisco thing, but, yeah, it was a good win.
JoeCali:And, basically, it was Highmark Stadium, according to a lot of Bills there. If you see the amount of fans that were there
Dom Loss:Lot of fans there.
JoeCali:Lot of fans there. They a lot of noise coming through the TV actually in the Mills' favor. So that was huge. Maybe Geno Smith had to go to the silent cadence after they shot him crying on the sideline. I mean, that could be that could be something, but I do we're gonna have a little on unorthodox version of the highlights today because there's so much going on visually all over the field.
JoeCali:I just wanna take a second and highlight some players because, truthfully, every everybody ate. You know, last week, I did a quick recap. Is everybody eating again? Everybody ate yesterday. So we just have to go through it
Dom Loss:2 days ago, sir.
JoeCali:2 days ago. 2 days ago. Excuse me. It's Tuesday. And, we are we're audio only, by the way.
JoeCali:If you're watching on YouTube, you know, you see our smiling faces looking right at you, Dom's one of his LinkedIn photos. Yeah.
Dom Loss:For some reason, our mouths aren't moving, though.
JoeCali:Yeah. Some I don't I don't think AI is that far yet. We're gonna have our fake mouths moving, but, you know, what are you gonna do? But getting into the highlights here, Josh Allen goes 24 for 34 for 283 yards with 2 touchdowns through his 1st interception of the year, unfortunately. What are you gonna do?
JoeCali:It had to happen. I'm glad it happened. We don't have to hear about it anymore. Moving on. James Cook, 17 carries for 111 yards.
JoeCali:Fantastic game from him. Ray Davis came in not really close, but 6 carries for 29 yards, behind him. Cook had 2 touchdowns. Mitch Trubisky needs to get it together. Negative 3 rushing yards.
JoeCali:Let's calm down. Let's let's rework that, shall we? But Khalil Shakir, 107 receiving yards on 9 receptions, averaged 11.9 yards per target, which is crazy. You think that would be the best on the team, but, you know, Kean Coleman, 5 targets for 70 yards, 14 yards on average, and and one touchdown. And then Dalton Kinkade also got a touchdown, 31 yards, went 4 receptions, and Dawson Knox, 2 receptions for 50 yards, averaged 25 yards per reception be because it's just they were
Dom Loss:if you do quick
JoeCali:math on that, that would only make sense. But Ty Johnson was a little inactive. I think Ray Davis is taking this.
Dom Loss:He recovered the fumble.
JoeCali:He did recover the fumble. He did. That's what a crazy game. Anyway, real quick defense. I mean, it was it was strong through and through.
JoeCali:Greg Russo starts out that drive in a massive way, batting 2 passes. Taryn Johnson's tackling all over. Rasool Douglas, 5 tackles, 1 assist. I mean, the let's see. Baylen Spector did get he got he got he got a little exposed, like, don't get me wrong.
JoeCali:But he had an okay day.
Dom Loss:He's trash.
JoeCali:He is trash. But he had an okay day. And, you know, I think I think Thicky Thicky needs some some some recognition here to cap this one off. Austin Johnson, big boy number 98, has the only interception for the Bills, I believe. Yes.
JoeCali:Only interception for the Bills is a thick pick. Can you believe it? He didn't get very far. He's not he's not like the guy on the Saints who actually had some mobility to him, but he he got that interception and got the Bills momentum, going back in their favor. So let's go.
JoeCali:Kept it in their favor, I should say, because they never lost it. So those are, I guess, you know, it's still Joe's MVPs, but those are the most valuable players. I just listed pretty much every player who did something. But, you know, we like to spread the pie here, everybody.
Dom Loss:That kinda game.
JoeCali:Everybody eats on the MVPs just like everybody eats on the field. So can't really can't get better than that. They put a complimentary football game together, and that's what everyone's been asking for, a fast start in complimentary football. So Yeah.
Dom Loss:I think I think the only thing to be concerned about Oh, TBAS, batted a1000. And Sam Martin got a nice little punt down there. His total teams recovered a fumble. He did. Mac Collins.
Dom Loss:Yes. I think the only thing to be concerned about coming away from that game is Dorian Williams, that knee injury Yes. Didn't look right. You know, Kenneth Walker is a tough player to to bring down the open field. But there's just a couple of times in the open field that he was missing tackles.
Dom Loss:He got beat, and felt like he a healthy Dornan Williams and makes a couple of those plays. Mhmm. So that is something to look at because that that is pretty concerning. But, listen, it's it's big. The defense continues to hopefully get healthier.
Dom Loss:Hopefully, they get Terrell Bernard, back in business here. And, also, it's pretty big that they're gonna get Von Miller back from suspension. I think that's gonna boost their pass rush. Yeah. I know Jevon saw him in a sack, but, but big to get, you know, Von back and big to go 3 in 1.
Dom Loss:And Von you know, we we were very concerned, with Von not playing these 4 games because it was like, okay. Well, CJ Stroud, you know, that's a tough match. If you're gonna play Aaron Rodgers, you know, obviously, it's Tennessee, Tennessee, and then, you know, Gino's a good quarterback in here in Seattle. And those Shifty too. Very tough games.
Dom Loss:And Right. So for the Bills to really go 3 in 1 and really not get blown on any of those games, I mean, they lost a the Houston game by a field goal 59 yard 59 yarder, excuse me, at the buzzer. So to get him back is big, but are you ready?
JoeCali:Yeah. I'm ready for the down 5.
Dom Loss:Alright. Number 1 on the down 5. Uh-huh. Silly Kean. This is a football game because that was a basketball dunk that he did on that goal line.
Dom Loss:He had a big game. I love Josh's count. Listen. I've I said that I said I said that right before right before the the 3rd goal when he the touchdown, the fade. I was like, I think the goal on fade is stupid.
Dom Loss:I still do. It's just such a low percentage play.
JoeCali:It is.
Dom Loss:And Tom Brady was like, oh, it's 90%. It's like, up, bro. It's a 50 50 ball. So
JoeCali:Depends on who's on the other end of the ball.
Dom Loss:I was like, Kean made a big difference. I thought he was gonna get the first one. A little bit, you know, good coverage slash not the best Josh throw. Josh, I was giving it back to me. He made a great play in the ball.
Dom Loss:Still don't love the goal in fade, but I love Josh. Hey. We almost got him. That's a good quarterback in Terry Crow Wallen he was thrown against. Had the had the trust in Kim Coleman, and we're seeing it with Kim Coleman.
Dom Loss:We listen. We had a friend, who was very anti Kean Coleman. We both were defending him then. Very, very pro Brian Thomas trade up. Yes.
Dom Loss:We finally you know, this week, it was like, you know what? I still like Brian Thomas, but I gotta say Kean Coleman's pretty good. And I was like, listen. He's he was blocking really well in the run game. Obviously, I I still we still don't know what the offensive pass interference call was because No.
Dom Loss:Listen. Is he gonna be an elite separator? No. But I think I think what's has surprised me, Joe, is his ability with the ball in his hands to break tackles and the yeah. Like, I I'm listen.
Dom Loss:I don't know.
JoeCali:Too physical.
Dom Loss:But everyone was talking about, you know, the 4, 6 speed or whatever. And really, like, him you know, he had a little screen that he cut upfield for 15 yards. You know, he's made some really nice plays. I mean, he had the big touchdown on 4th down, against the Texans on a, like, a, like, a 8 yard route 8 yard route, took it 50 yards for a touchdown. Like Right.
Dom Loss:We're kinda seeing, like, he's more he's a better playmaker, I think, than I thought with the ball in his hand. So if he's gonna be a really good blocker, gonna be a really good contested catch guy, and also when he gets the ball in his hands, he can, you know, do some damage. Like, I I think that's a a very good football football player for the Bills.
JoeCali:Oh, a 100%. I mean, you can't really argue that. He's he's starting to come into his own. He may have arrived. We're gonna see if that continues.
JoeCali:I am thinking of playing him in our dynasty league next week in the flex spot if he continues that. So I know that might be a little ballsy, but what are you gonna do? Because the broadcast just talked about wet balls for 5 minutes too if you didn't hear that. But gotta wet those balls in a rainy day, Tom Brady. But, no.
JoeCali:I I think, truthfully, Keon Coleman has shown out. He's shown what they've gone to him for. Right? There's a reason he's on the team, and it's that. Contested catches.
JoeCali:Everyone wanted Ladd McConkie. Right? He was a big pick for a lot of Bills fans. And, yeah, he's doing great things with the chargers. Don't get me wrong.
JoeCali:But at the same time, you already have that in Khalil Shakir. You needed to get someone different, someone bigger, someone who could make those contested catches. You haven't really had that on your roster. You had the size at one point in Kelvin Benjamin, but he had t rex arms. He just gave up on every play.
JoeCali:He was throwing the ball. So you finally have that in Keon Coleman. Your wide receiver room is bigger. Utilize it. And Coleman is doing a great job of that.
JoeCali:You alluded to it. Great basketball player. That's a basketball move that catch in the end zone right there. Going up and snagging it out of the air and bringing it down. So, you know, I think his opportunities, especially with Amari Cooper being utilized more, it's just gonna it's gonna open up more for him.
JoeCali:So good on the lad in Keon Coleman, and keep it going.
Dom Loss:Number 2, Allen becomes more Mahomie.
JoeCali:So I don't know, Jim.
Dom Loss:I knew I knew you like that one. I said I said I said a preshow. The first two are I was very creative. My creative juices were really They're flowing. I think it's a situation where did I think Josh played his best game?
Dom Loss:No. I mean, their interception, it's a slip. It's unfortunate. He kinda got lucked out on really 2 other plays he fumbled, and the Bills one of them, the Bills recovered, and it was a penalty. You know, I'll take you back a legal contact and the and the seal Steelers.
Dom Loss:Wrong team of Seahawks. They won. And then, obviously, the fumble that he happened to kick forward was just maybe an intelligent move because he was able to get the 1st down, which I don't think he would would have been able to if he didn't. But Yeah.
JoeCali:I didn't know we were playing soccer.
Dom Loss:A little bit of a sloppy game from Josh putting the ball in the, you know, the field twice in the interception, but, you know, I thought in this game, he just let the offense come to him. I thought there was real, real rhythm to the offense. You know, a lot of penalties that force I'm gonna talk about the penalties and a little bit next time. 5, one is about the penalties. But, again, they were able to kind of alright.
Dom Loss:1st and 20. Hey. Let's get 6 yards of pop. Also, it's 3rd and 7. It's manageable.
Dom Loss:Right? And I I think he had complete control of the offense. And I think that's what we're seeing the next evolution of Josh is that he doesn't have to be Superman. I mean, he still has a couple of those places. It's like, okay.
Dom Loss:I don't think 3 yards is worth lowering your shoulder to the linebacker. We're really never gonna teach it out of Josh. But what I mean by that, he's becoming a little bit more Mahomey as we saw Mahomes you know, I hate constantly comparing them, but Mahomes, after losing Kyriekel, became a little bit more like a More important to get get Yac. That's hey. Paper cut.
Dom Loss:Paper cut. Paper cut. When I need to be Superman, I could still be Superman, but I don't have to be Superman every play. I I think Josh is learning that, and he's playing at a very high level, An MVP level.
JoeCali:Some would say MVP, including
Dom Loss:I think he's I think he is the current favorite. I think he's, like, plus 2, so many at the moment. So he's the favorite.
JoeCali:Listen. I'm just happy we don't have to hear about, oh, Allen hasn't thrown any interceptions yet this season. I'm glad that's out of the window. And they won. Yeah.
JoeCali:Yeah. And they won. You're absolutely right. And it wasn't for 6. So like you said, we were talking last night.
JoeCali:That streak stays alive. So yeah. No. Josh Allen is we're in the next evolution of Josh Allen. You're absolutely right, and he's really put it together.
JoeCali:He's very smart out there. He's not forcing things. He's taking what the defense gives him, and, you know, I still don't like when he gets nailed on run plays, design runs up the middle or something like that. But what are you gonna do? I mean, he found the c gap on a QB sneak the other day, and Tom Brady just couldn't get over that.
JoeCali:I mean, we we see that every week. But, yeah, Josh Allen's him.
Dom Loss:Go ahead. Yeah. And and one more point. This this Josh Allen is a Josh Allen that can play for another 10 years. Right?
Dom Loss:Like, I don't I don't think Josh Allen a couple years ago will could be able to maintain
JoeCali:No. I mean, you I
Dom Loss:don't know if they maintain, but, like, health wise, I don't think he would be able to last another decade.
JoeCali:You see what happens to other quarterbacks?
Dom Loss:The way Josh has matured Yeah. This is this this this version of Josh can play at a high level for another time.
JoeCali:He's as effective in the pocket as he is out of the pocket, and that's not what you saw 2 years ago. You saw Cam Newton just flying through the air diving into the end. Like, you know, you still saw that this season, but he's doing it on a lesser scale, which I appreciate. So Number 3.
Dom Loss:Too many penalties. I Oh, yeah. Earlier, have 13 penalties for 85 yards. A lot of penalties in this game, but, yeah, very frustrating. There's quite a bit of holding penalties.
Dom Loss:I think there was 2 holding penalties and a false start in the first try that they still were able to overcome for a touchdown. Yeah. Listen. They did a good job, I think, offensively of overcoming those penalties, but just too too many of them that are just very unforced, a couple of false starts, some holding penalties. There were some a little bit of some defensive penalties as well, you know, mixed in.
Dom Loss:So for me, it's it's more of they gotta get that under control. You know, you can't be living in 1st 20. They did a very good job again of making that into, like, 3rd 6th, 3rd 7th, 3rd 8th, you know, of of getting into a manageable 3rd down. But Yeah.
JoeCali:3rd manages.
Dom Loss:Just too many pounds that, you know, a real this is this alright defense in Seattle, and you're actually on the road. But against a really good defense in a big spot, like, it it you're not gonna be able to survive on 1st and twenties.
JoeCali:No. You're absolutely right. I mean, honestly, you feel for him out there. He's got Josh Allen and, you know, McDermott, whoever is, you know, dealing with the the mental struggle of the penalties. They gotta feel like Mufasa down there getting trampled by wildebeests except it's not wildebeests, it's zebras.
JoeCali:They just can't stop. So I I I'm you know, I I can't get over it. The color yellow, like, just we gotta end this. And if you if you if you were listening yesterday or, during the game, there was an illusion to this referee committee saying that this group in particular is flag happy. And the Bills have been very flag happy the past few weeks, so it just continued to get stamp stampeded down by the zebras, unfortunately.
JoeCali:They didn't have the stampede drumline to hold strong against them this week, but they will as they come home to Miami this week. But, yeah, too many penalties. Let's end that, please.
Dom Loss:Number 4, clear secure being healthy. It's just a game changer. Obviously, he, you know, had a big game going over for a 100 yards. You saw multiple big plays where he just makes a catch and 5 yards down the field, and then you get another 10 yards of yak. He's just a player that's very important to this offense.
Dom Loss:He's a safety blanket for Josh, and his development has been massive. And, you know, when you add I know Mario Cooper didn't have a big game, but, you know, if Cooper, Kincaid, Coleman, you know, Shakir, you know, if they could really just funnel even Nags had a couple of good moments in the scheme. Like, if they could continue they could continue to funnel their offense through those guys, plus the good ground game with Davis and and James Cook, like, they're cooking off a really good formula, and they're going to be very tough to beat. And I'm not saying, you know, those 2 games against Baltimore and Houston are necessarily a 100% behind them, but I think those games are situations they've learned from. Obviously, getting secure back healthy, you know, being able to run the ball, adding Cooper, getting Coleman, his evolution, his growth of the season so far, has been massive.
Dom Loss:And I I've been very excited to hope, you know, hope to see how high this off how high the ceiling in this offense is.
JoeCali:Yeah. Everybody eats, and they're eating. They're not snacking anymore. They're not scrounging for scraps on the floor. They're eating.
JoeCali:And, you know, you look at even Amari Cooper didn't have the day he had the week before. What are you gonna do? It's just not your day. Sorry. Like, that's just how that off that's how that offense works.
JoeCali:And Josh even said that. That's what he says to these guys. Like, that's a good winning formula because who do you game plan against? Now that you have a true x receiver, you know, your number one quarterback's gonna go on him. Anything else is just free game at that point.
JoeCali:Right? Mhmm. So it it adds a whole new dimension to the offense, and you're already seeing that in effect. And as Cooper becomes more ingrained into the system, I think it's only gonna get better from there, and he'll get more involved. So Nanda Nanda the last one.
JoeCali:Is this 5?
Dom Loss:5 last one. Groot is going to get paid. Yep. We had, again, with Harrington account, like, maybe about a month ago, a couple weeks ago, we were like, I don't know if we should pay Greg Russo. Looking like we look like a bunch of idiots because listen.
Dom Loss:I know it's not against great competition, but he's top 10 in the league in pressures. He's giving you elite run defense. You saw him the 1st series that 3 and out was just kind of all pretty much Greg Russo.
JoeCali:Talk about setting the tone.
Dom Loss:That's what he tone. Perfect. Per you know? And he's just a guy that if he can continue to develop and grow into his physical traits, like, he's going to be a problem. He's still so young.
Dom Loss:So it's it's very exciting to see what he can do. But, yeah, he is going to get paid, and it's going to be very interesting to see how they, how they pay him because he's an elite run defender, and he's just continuing to develop into a a very good pass rusher for this team. And he seem he seems like a very good leader as well. So, kind of a seems like a trust the process, do your 1 11th, very humble kinda guy. So Yeah.
Dom Loss:A good community guy as well. So it it's it's very cool to see. And, obviously, now you add Vonn again back into that edge rusher group. You kinda get it's like it's almost kinda like a trade, really. Like, you basically alright.
Dom Loss:We had 4 games of well, yeah, 4 games of Vonn's without, and now 4 games without, and now he's back. And he should be, you know, fresh, a little, maybe a little rusty, but,
JoeCali:I don't know. Tapering sometimes Worked out. And off, it works.
Dom Loss:Well, it worked out. I mean, 3 in 1 without him. You know, now they're gonna get him back, and, hopefully, they could get him to go in quick and, you know, knock off that rust. But if he's if that if this is, like, hey. You got a month off.
Dom Loss:You're gonna be really fresh for the next what? We're in almost November. Like, the next 3, 4 months of football. Hopefully, we play into February. Like, maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
Dom Loss:We we learned a lot about this defensive line, without Vaughn. So, again, the I mean, the number one thing we learned is that Greg Russo is a is a grown ass man.
JoeCali:Right. Yeah. You took out the control, and you ended up seeing what you know, experimenting and seeing what worked, and a lot did. Solomon comes in and actually performs very well. Dwayne Carter.
JoeCali:I mean, I get it. Like, he was for Ed Oliver mostly.
Dom Loss:Oh, he's also I I know we didn't we haven't mess with this. Him being an IR, not a massive shock. No. Like, we talked about this on
JoeCali:4 weeks to the bye.
Dom Loss:4 weeks to the bye. It's really 5 you can get him for 5 weeks. You know, it's unfortunate he's gonna miss the Chiefs game, but Yeah. Hopefully, you get him back.
JoeCali:We're alluding he probably should go on IR. Right? Is that kinda where we were at, or we were just Yeah.
Dom Loss:I mean, I just I just don't think we wanted to lose him for the Chiefs game, but, it's a long term long longer term thing is is good. Let's hope for they they get them back for the niners.
JoeCali:Well, here's the thing. Longer term thing is definitely good because the rest of the division, the AFC least has a combined 6 wins, and you have 6 wins. So thinking ahead, you're going to the playoffs truthfully. Right? It's not guaranteed yet, knocking on wood as I'm saying this, but you get thinking ahead is definitely Take care
Dom Loss:of the games that you could take care of, and you should be good.
JoeCali:Yes. Exactly. And then surprise those teams in the playoffs and have fun. But, we'll see. But, yeah, the Bills, I mean, I don't they the the fish the fish come up this week.
JoeCali:We'll talk all about it. I'm betting on the Bills on Friday. And
Dom Loss:tough week for the Jets. Now they gotta play Thursday against a tough, Texas team. So Yeah. Very interesting oh, last 2 weeks. I think the last 2 weeks, the Bills, what are 2 and o, and Miami and New York are 0 and 2.
Dom Loss:Yeah. And it's been a perfect storm for the Bills in terms of their 2 I don't know what they're talking to the Patriots. But Yeah. They're not gonna really compete for the ATS. But the 2 teams that, you know, in the off season and throughout the see in the beginning of the season, you thought we're gonna be a thorn in the Bills side of really, you know, tapered off a little bit, and they still have some tough games left.
Dom Loss:And, obviously, the Bills host both those teams. Right? The Bills have already won in their buildings. So really really massive week for for the Bills, and, you know, Baltimore losing is is big. Big.
Dom Loss:They had the tie breaker.
JoeCali:Only the Texans coulda lost. That could've been
Dom Loss:big too. That could be big. But, again, you know, for the Bills, it's I I think for the Bills, it's about getting in. Getting in and getting home playoff game and and kinda seeing where you go from there. Like, it it's it's tough for me to say, you know, at this moment, oh, we're 62.
Dom Loss:Like, we could
JoeCali:get the 1 seed, but It's early.
Dom Loss:I mean, Pittsburgh's leading the position early, but dropping games to Baltimore and Houston.
JoeCali:That's great.
Dom Loss:It's tough for the tie breaker because those teams I mean, I guess we'll see what Baltimore if they actually won the division because well, I mean, the series are playing good football. Yeah. Can't get rid of them, and the Texans look like they're gonna run away at the AFC South Let's see East. Yeah. But it is nice.
Dom Loss:Listen. The Bills have played on the road a lot. They've only played 3 home games through the first eight games. Obviously, I know we I know the season's the you play 8 home games, 9 away games.
JoeCali:But just in the succession when you do, they've already taken care of a lot of their
Dom Loss:But they've already played now 3 home games. So now the remaining 9 games, they have, what, 5 home games?
JoeCali:Yeah. I think so. The majority of them are 5 games.
Dom Loss:But last 9. Am I just, like, blinking 9 games? Yeah. 5.
JoeCali:I would say 5. I'm not looking at the schedule right now.
Dom Loss:It is 5, but I'm, like, blinking on why I'm, like, screwing those up in my head so much. I'm, like and they play oh, yeah. The 44 4 away games, 5 home games. Yeah. I'm I don't know how I'm blanked, but that I've I'm keep reading that they haven't played in Minneapolis and in Minneapolis yet.
Dom Loss:Yes. We we we talked about that in the first seconds about, because Josh didn't play in Seattle, and that got him. I have them when he flipped in Yep.
JoeCali:Yeah. No. I gotcha. I gotcha.
Dom Loss:But, no, I mean, it that's listen. We we always said, like, it's difficult, the their first half schedule because it's a lot away from home. And, like, the second half of schedule, I think I think it's harder from the perspective of, like, the teams that you might be playing. Mhmm. But, I mean, if you can look at it, like, a t circuit team, but you're hosting them, and they're they look at least beatable.
JoeCali:Yeah. They're they're undefeated, but it's kind of an undefeated where you're like, oh, you could win against it.
Dom Loss:Sure. Mhmm. The the niners look kind of vulnerable. Like, that's not a juggernaut that we thought. I know they might get Christian McCaffrey back, but that's Still off of it.
Dom Loss:That the game again, from the preseason, from week 1 Yes. From the offseason, that game looks easier. Right? The the Rams game, I I think the Rams are still gonna be a good team.
JoeCali:You're just gonna cook Trey White the entire game.
Dom Loss:Well, he's not even playing anymore.
JoeCali:Right. That's right.
Dom Loss:But but, again, that team that game doesn't look as hard. I mean, the 9 the the Lions in Detroit is like
JoeCali:Yeah. That's a big one.
Dom Loss:I I gotta say, what is the chance that game gets flexed? Because that is a 4 o'clock game.
JoeCali:Is there another Jets prime time game? I don't know. I I because if there is a Jets prime time game anywhere in there I there's a good chance that game gets flexed. I
Dom Loss:wanna look at that schedule because I think there is a very good chance that game gets flexed.
JoeCali:Because that those two teams, the
Dom Loss:Bills 4/25? It's 4/25, and I don't know if it's CBS? What channel it's on.
JoeCali:Bills Lions. December 15th.
Dom Loss:So what is that? Week 15?
JoeCali:It's going to be, oh, it's on Paramount Plus, so I would assume that would be CBS.
Dom Loss:Ah, CBS might not wanna give that up. No. Because that might be an answer.
JoeCali:Yep. Bills, lines, channel, CBS in Detroit, Ford Field, 425.
Dom Loss:See, the 820 game is the 820 game is Packers, Seahawks. That And there's the double Monday, Heather. So I doubt they'd move the double Monday, night Heather.
JoeCali:One of them, could they move? I feel like they did that last season, didn't they?
Dom Loss:Yeah. But I
JoeCali:Who's the other one?
Dom Loss:I guess they could do it because the Bills play at 1 o'clock in Sunday. I don't know. I I but I that Colt the the Packers Seahawks game is the Sunday night game, and I'm just telling you, if the Bills, what, week 15, they have a buy, there wouldn't be 14 games in, or they if they're both 10 have 10 wins, that game's gonna get flexed. Yeah. I'm sorry.
Dom Loss:Like, it has to. Right? I I feel like it has to.
JoeCali:Yeah. CBS might have to give that one up. And so Don't be greedy.
Dom Loss:We'll see. I know we're getting distracted a little bit here, but
JoeCali:No.
Dom Loss:But That's interesting.
JoeCali:Yeah. It will be. And like we said, the Dolphins, the the the fish try and come in, and we're hopefully, they'll get squished this coming Sunday. Nice 1 o'clock start. We're in the early early windows.
Dom Loss:Back to back, 1 o'clock.
JoeCali:Back to back. No. This was 4 or 5, wasn't it?
Dom Loss:I'm talking about, like, next week after. Sorry. I'm already out next week. I gotcha. I gotcha.
Dom Loss:Cincinnati now.
JoeCali:Yes. But, no. So tune in Friday for betting on the Bills, and we'll take you through the matchup there if if there even is gonna be one. Let's be honest. And, yeah.
JoeCali:The AFC least. Let's cap it there. But now I think we have to talk about another team who's maybe frisky? Is that is that is that what we're gonna call them?
Dom Loss:The maybe.
JoeCali:The maybe frisky Buffalo Sabres. It would
Dom Loss:be a lot more it's weird. It'd be a lot more excited if we film this pod, record this pod before
JoeCali:the last night?
Dom Loss:Because they went on a 3 in winning streak. They got to 4, 4, and 1. They got off to that slow start. Listen. They lose 2 in relation at home to a very good Florida team.
Dom Loss:It's frustrating.
JoeCali:Who they beat earlier in the season?
Dom Loss:I don't think they played a bad game. I think hurts more is that it was 2 2 in the 3rd period. And, you know, for me, for this team so far, it's first off, the one thing I'll, like, completely admit that I was wrong on is that if Tay Thompson's gonna play like this throughout I mean, we're 9 games in, so we're, what, a 10th of the way a 9th of the way through the season? Yeah. He's not.
Dom Loss:So, like, 11% of the way through the season. If he's gonna play at this, like, this level Yeah. We don't need a super star forward. Like, that man is super star forward. Like Yeah.
Dom Loss:A healthy t h is a big t h.
JoeCali:He just needs to keep doing that. Stay consistent. Like, that's really it. I think
Dom Loss:there's really 3 big issues right now with the Sabres. 1, goaltending. Right? I don't think UPL is particularly strong against Florida. I don't think he was particularly strong against Detroit, and, obviously, Levi sucked against Columbus.
JoeCali:Yes. No in both categories there.
Dom Loss:And they've been below average there. And it's not like, you know, it it's not like in years past where it's like, okay. Like, they're giving up goals, but they're just like they've given up so much quality against. Right? Like, they've given up a lot of chances.
Dom Loss:No. Like, if you look at their expected goals against, like, their 13th league. So they're actually playing above everyone. Doing
JoeCali:alright. Mhmm.
Dom Loss:So the goaltending has just been not again, I don't feel like it's right to panic, but it is concerning.
JoeCali:Yeah. Don't hit the button yet.
Dom Loss:Power play concern number 2 is power play. I don't need to spend enough time to say that. It's just a concern.
JoeCali:Waste of breath to even mention it.
Dom Loss:You can't I mean, you just gotta get a power play that can Yeah.
JoeCali:It's anything. Mind boggling to me through 2 different systems. You still can't have a power play.
Dom Loss:It's just I don't know. It feels very similar.
JoeCali:Is it Seth Appert? Yeah.
Dom Loss:And last, the biggest issue that I am the most concerned about because the power play is kinda like I just kinda feel like that shooting aggression, like shooting luck. You'll get you know? And then, again, with the golf thing, I feel like they're good. So, like, I feel like like it bounced back. Cousins and Quinn, I am way more concerned about Jack Quinn than Cousins.
Dom Loss:I mean, I still think Cousins are playing bad. They they can't first off, they can't put those 2 guys together. It's a simple fact of that.
JoeCali:The kid line needs to get split.
Dom Loss:Those 2 guys cannot play together. No. You need to see what is what Cousins looks like without Quinn, because Quinn is terrible right now. His skating is one of the worst in the leagues. It doesn't make any sense.
Dom Loss:He was always a pirate. I I don't know if the injuries have caught up to him, but, the situation that those 2 guys are costing the team the most. Those are the 2 players that are costing the team the most. Cousins, you I think has been bad, but he's been better than Quinn, which isn't saying a lot. But Quinn has just been abysmal.
Dom Loss:So bad. Bad. And it's so bizarre because it's never happened with him. But, like, for me, it's like, when Zach Benson gets back from injury, like, take a seat in the press box, my boy, because they they have to they I think they have to see what Cousins looks like about Quinn before they bench Cousins, but Quinn needs to be benched.
JoeCali:Cousins from the the worlds needs to needs to come out. I don't know what's up. The hell happened to him? He can only play good in
Dom Loss:that uniform. You know? What? It's a little annoying to say this, but it's like he plays like he's 5 10, not 63. And I hate being that's kinda like a boomerish take, but, like, it's just true.
Dom Loss:He just loses the puck so easily. I don't think he's being very decisive with his decision making, but I think it's also again, I'm not this is not me I hope it was. This is not me saying Cousins if I fall because Cousins has been terrible.
JoeCali:Mhmm.
Dom Loss:But the again, my whole point of Quinn is that he's just a black hole that, like, it's hard to say how how truly bad his cousins when his line mate is just worse. And they're not getting anything. They can't put him down the age, yo. It's a situation where he's just kinda sitting in the press for a couple weeks. Like, they got, you know, n a c back n a k back.
Dom Loss:Sorry. Abdul Kalal back.
JoeCali:Mhmm.
Dom Loss:Like, when Zach Benson comes back off IR, like, I think Quinn has to hit take a seat, take put Benson with Cousins and kinda see, like, I I think it's really frustrating. This is a player that we thought was gonna do you know, if he had a healthy season, he was gonna play well, and he just he really hasn't, which is really sad. Other you know, some positives, you know, again, Teige, fantastic. That line with JJ and and and Tuck have been great.
JoeCali:Working really well. Yeah.
Dom Loss:I'd say the most underrated saber, you know, I think by a good bit, really 2, Conor Clifton and Jason Zucker. You know, as much as no. I still think Conor Clifton is a little overpaid. Like, as long as Samuelson is not as long as Samuelson is not actively passing breakout passes, which is either the feet of his players, his teammates, or the sticks of stick tape to tape passes to the opponent. Yeah.
Dom Loss:Like, that's a fine like, they're playing good bottom pair minutes. Right? We're then it's a situation where it's like, alright. If we have a solid third pair, that means we have a any time of the ice, we have a solid third pair, Owen Powers on the ice, or Rasmussen's on the ice. That's a winning formula.
Dom Loss:Right? I don't think Bowen Byron has been great, and Noki Harvey was not great either. So, I mean, it's something we should upgrade those 2 positions, but they're gonna get continue to get some bottom payments from those, you know, Samuelson and Clifton, it really helps their team. Then finally, Zucker, like, I mean, listen. The 1 year $5,000,000, I mean, I kinda always felt like, oh, they're just paying him because I was like, yeah.
Dom Loss:But, like, he's played really well. I'm not saying he's worth $5,000,000, but, no. He's putting it together. He's played a lot, but, I mean, I thought he was kinda washed, and I thought he was gonna be, like, a 30 point guy. Like, he's played very solid.
Dom Loss:Obviously, I think he had a goal last night. So he's played really well. I think he's been kind of a big addition because with Quinn sucking so much Yeah. He's filling the void a lot. You need him you actually have needed him a lot more.
Dom Loss:And listen. If if if if Quinn cannot get back to being a a just a solid endo player or even Cousins, they are in big trouble. Like, that is not a fixable issue. I I want it to be completely known. Like, I think the goal tending will sort of power play whatever.
Dom Loss:If, I guess, it's not internally fixable. They they would have to go get a forward at that point. Like, they have $7,000,000 in cap space. You have all these prospects. You have your 1st jump pick next year.
Dom Loss:Like, you can't afford to miss the playoffs with $7,000,000 in cap space. Like, I think this team deserves that. And if those 2 guys aren't gonna play well, you need to find a player, not an organization. You know? It's not gonna happen now, but in January, when a team is probably like, we're gonna not make it.
Dom Loss:We're gonna do a mini rebuild or a mini teardown. Figure something out. Who's who who whatever UFA it is, you gotta figure some again, as you said, figure something out. Yeah. Because I I like that.
Dom Loss:I think it had one more forward.
JoeCali:Who can actually play?
Dom Loss:Who can actually play? Like, it's frustrating. Like, if Quinn Cousins are playing, like, what we think they're capable of, like, this team would be rolling. Like, I don't know they just want 3 in a row, but, like
JoeCali:Yeah.
Dom Loss:Really rolling.
JoeCali:No. They would be they would have won last night. They would have they'd be putting more than just 3 games together.
Dom Loss:Yes. So I don't know. I think that's something to look at.
JoeCali:They're frisky, though.
Dom Loss:The frisk meter has increased.
JoeCali:Yes. Potentially frisky. That's where it's at
Dom Loss:right now. What? They don't play for, I mean So they on Friday.
JoeCali:Till we have another pod talking about them. They play Friday 1st against the Islanders at home, 7 PM. Then they're in in Detroit on November 2nd, Saturday, the next day at 7, back to back. And then Tuesday, the night we record, they play 7 PM.
Dom Loss:Games are back to back. So, yeah, it's interesting. You know, UPL started, what, a lot of, like, a lot of recent games in a row. I can't remember. Levi, what last play against he's I mean, UPL started last 4 games.
JoeCali:Mhmm.
Dom Loss:What
JoeCali:does that say? I
Dom Loss:don't know.
JoeCali:Can he do that? Like, you know, I you're starting to
Dom Loss:see a little bit
JoeCali:of the inconsistency with it.
Dom Loss:Well, I'd like to see Levi get in here and kinda get some confidence back in because, again, UPL, I don't think it's been setting the world on fire. So I don't think he's on, like, a mega hot streak in this new loss, and I would say, alright. Put the backup in for a game.
JoeCali:Give them a break.
Dom Loss:We'll split. I mean, like, put Levi in for the Islanders. Put, UPL in for Detroit, then we'll see where we are. Who do they play on Tuesday? I'm sorry.
JoeCali:They play woah. Sorry. I lost it. I was scrolling up looking through their games. They play the senators, Ottawa.
JoeCali:Yeah.
Dom Loss:We'll see you we'll see you start to Ottawa, but I think they should split the
JoeCali:Ottawa's at home. Games. They're here.
Dom Loss:Yeah. Big big but again, Islanders, Detroit, Sanders. Like, those are teams that are gonna be around you throughout the entire season trying to battle for that, you know, those those roster spots, those playoff spots.
JoeCali:Right. And you've already beat the Red Wings.
Dom Loss:So Let's get one. Let's get to
JoeCali:do it again.
Dom Loss:Let's get let's get a couple ones here.
JoeCali:Yes. You beat the Red Wings. Oh, that was preseason. Never mind. Just once in the regular season.
JoeCali:But, yes, string together some wins. But anything else you wanna toss in here before we wrap up?
Dom Loss:No. I think that's a
JoeCali:Alrighty. Well, we'll be back with you on Friday for the Buffalo Podcast Betting on the Bills. I'm Joe Cali. As always, joined by Dom Lawson. Dom, how do we always end these, buddy?
Dom Loss:Go bills, dude.
JoeCali:Go bills.
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