The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

We were having a discussion on whether or not Sean McDermott is the coach to get the Bills over the hump and I posted two facts about his defences crumbling when it mattered most.

I don’t see how Zac Taylor has anything to do with the Bills defence.
- Swedish_Jesus

Like giving up the game winning drive in the Super Bowl?

No he was ruled out for this week only
- Sabretooth9

They ruled him out for next week as well.

The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.
- Hatboro_Swords

Tower, this is Ghostrider requesting a fly-by

Tower, this is Ghostrider requesting a fly-by
- Wetbandit1

Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full

Like giving up the game winning drive in the Super Bowl?
- sbroads24

Zac Taylor calls the offensive plays not the defensive.

You could argue his offence should have probably scored more than 20 points in that SB though.

That would fit your narrative.

Refs are just handing the Bengals this one

Refs are just handing the Bengals this one
- sbroads24

I think the Ravens are doing a pretty good job at blowing it for themselves.

Zac Taylor calls the offensive plays not the defensive.

You could argue his offence should have probably scored more than 20 points in that SB though.

That would fit your narrative.
- Swedish_Jesus

What’s my narrative exactly?

The Bills had an epic collapse in KC last year

The year before they weren’t the better team

McDermott is 4-3 in the playoffs. 4-0 at home.

If Taylor were to lose this game to Tyler Huntley, both coaches would have an epic collapse on their resumes with 0 SB wins

They ruled him out for next week as well.
- Lunaion

I don’t believe so. McDermott only said this week

What’s my narrative exactly?

The Bills had an epic collapse in KC last year

The year before they weren’t the better team

McDermott is 4-3 in the playoffs. 4-0 at home.

If Taylor were to lose this game to Tyler Huntley, both coaches would have an epic collapse on their resumes with 0 SB wins
- sbroads24

4-4 in the playoffs.

Epic collapse in Houston
AFC championship gave up 38 points.
“13 seconds” gives up 42 points.

And like I mentioned, even the game that broke the drought over the Colts they gave up 472 yards of offence so how much credit does McDermott really get for that ?

Apart from beating the Ravens in a tornado his defence has underwhelmed against notable opponents.

I don’t believe so. McDermott only said this week
- Sabretooth9

https://www.cbssports.com...l-round-if-team-advances/

4-4 in the playoffs.

Epic collapse in Houston
AFC championship gave up 38 points.
“13 seconds” gives up 42 points.

And like I mentioned, even the game that broke the drought over the Colts they gave up 472 yards of offence so how much credit does McDermott really get for that ?

Apart from beating the Ravens in a tornado his defence has underwhelmed against notable opponents.
- Swedish_Jesus

That’s right I was thinking of Allen

I wouldn’t call Houston an epic collapse. It was a two score lead. The defense gave up 22 points? They also had brutal calls go against them in OT.

He’s been out coached by Andy Reid. Who hasn’t?

That’s right I was thinking of Allen

I wouldn’t call Houston an epic collapse. It was a two score lead. The defense gave up 22 points? They also had brutal calls go against them in OT.

He’s been out coached by Andy Reid. Who hasn’t?
- sbroads24

If Zac Taylor can beat Andy Reid in the playoffs, then McDermott can too.

You have an offence that has scored 47, 36, and 34 points respectively in their last three playoff games.

I guess all I’m asking for is McDermott to do is have his elite regular season defence make a stop next weekend.

That’s right I was thinking of Allen

I wouldn’t call Houston an epic collapse. It was a two score lead. The defense gave up 22 points? They also had brutal calls go against them in OT.

He’s been out coached by Andy Reid. Who hasn’t?
- sbroads24

Bill Belichick?

If Zac Taylor can beat Andy Reid in the playoffs, then McDermott can too.

You have an offence that has scored 47, 36, and 34 points respectively in their last three playoff games.

I guess all I’m asking for is McDermott to do is have his elite regular season defence make a stop next weekend.
- Swedish_Jesus

Right. That’s my point.

do you know that Reid was known for choking in big moments and not being able to win it all in Philly, then went and won it all in KC?

Kyle Shanahan has choked away multiple big games. Do you really think he can’t win it?

Sunday at 3

I think our secondary would struggle big time vs the bengals.

If Hyde comes back. I change me tune
- Sabretooth9

He is still out, best chance is if we make it to the AFC Championship game.
Edit: apologies didn't see Lunaion post.

The Athletic
Sabres observations: Rising stars step up late in win over Nashville

Jan 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
By Matthew Fairburn
Jan 15, 2023
24

The Sabres entered the third period against the Predators tied at three. Once again, they were locked in a close game while playing in a challenging environment on the road. And as they did in Las Vegas, Boston and other rowdy arenas away from home, the Sabres rose to the occasion, beating the Predators 5-3.

“Our guys used it to their advantage,” coach Don Granato said. “They felt extremely comfortable in it.”

This road win couldn’t have come at a better time. The Sabres entered this game having lost three straight games to close out a homestand. But the road has been where these Sabres have had the most success this season. They’re now 12-7 on the road compared to 9-11-2 at home. As young as they are, travel and hectic arenas don’t seem to bother them.

“Our youngest guys were incredible down the stretch,” Granato said.

Here’s what we learned about the Sabres in this game.

1. Earlier this week, when Granato decided to rest JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn for a few games, he noted that they looked like they’d hit a wall. They had combined for just two points in the nine games before Granato removed them from the lineup. As it turned out, a few games of rest was just what they needed.

Back playing on either side of Dylan Cozens, Peterka and Quinn played a big role in the Sabres’ win. Peterka had an assist on a Cozens goal, while Quinn had a goal and an assist. His goal put the Sabres up 5-3 late in the game. As a line, that group generated nine scoring chances at five-on-five and allowed only three. Peterka had four high-danger chances on his own, according to Natural Stat Trick.

“They looked fresh, mentally and physically. They were dangerous all night,” Granato said.

It shouldn’t be lost that Cozens was a huge part of that. He scored his 14th goal, a career high, and closed out the first half of the season with 40 points.

2. The Sabres’ third line was a sore spot early this season, but Tyson Jost seems to be the right player to unlock some potential in Casey Mittelstadt and Victor Olofsson. Olofsson, in particular, has found a groove. He scored again against the Predators, his fourth goal in the last five games. Olofsson has 17 goals at the midway point of the season. Olofsson has gone through some slumps this season, but he’s now on pace for 34 goals and is clearly an asset to Buffalo’s offense.


Sabres right wing Jack Quinn celebrates after scoring a third-period goal against the Predators on Saturday. (Mark Zaleski / Associated Press)
More importantly, though, the entire line is impacting games. At five-on-five, the Sabres had a 63 percent expected goal share when that trio was on the ice. Jost, Mittelstadt and Olofsson have been above a 63 percent even-strength expected goal share in four of the last five games.

“We’re playing simple, too, and then when we get the puck we’re using our skill, using our playmaking abilities and our skill sets,” Jost said this week. “I think it starts kind of with those small fundamentals of hunting down the puck, being aggressive. We like where our chemistry’s at and we keep saying to each other we just want to get better and better. And we still think there’s a higher ceiling we can get to. We want to do everything we can to help this team win.”

3. Ilya Lyubushkin continues to cost the Sabres with untimely penalties. He had another two against the Predators, and one of them led to a Nashville power-play goal. The other came after the Predators had just scored two quick goals.

Lyubushkin made up for it with a timely assist on the game-winning goal. It was a heads-up play to find Kyle Okposo, who tipped the shot between his legs and into the back of the net. That moment was a reminder of Okposo’s skill around the net. And it also illustrated the importance of getting contributions from everyone over the course of an 82-game season. Lyubushkin hasn’t been great for the Sabres this season, but he came through in a big moment.

Early in the season, Lyubushkin took a shot to the foot, and he missed games and then some practice time for the next few months. It’s fair to wonder if there are still some lingering effects from that injury. But he hasn’t been limited in practice since the Sabres got an extended holiday break due to the storm. Whatever the reason, Lyubushkin hasn’t been what the Sabres hoped for when they signed him over the summer. What stings, even more, is that his presence is part of the reason the Sabres felt pressed into waiving Casey Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald wasn’t perfect when he was in Buffalo’s lineup this season, but the Panthers saw enough potential to claim him. Now Fitzgerald and the Panthers head to Buffalo on Monday.

4. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got his second straight start, another sign that the Sabres are willing to give him as much time as he earns. He let in a pair of goals early in this game. The first was a point-blank shot for which Luukkonen was set and had a clear view. But it still snuck under his pad. He later let in a goal on a deflection and had another clear shot sneak through under his arm. What mattered, according to Granato, was the way Luukkonen was able to shake those goals off. He came up with a few huge saves down the stretch and finished with 38 saves, including nine on high-danger chances.

5. Zemgus Girgensons didn’t travel with the team because he was under the weather. Peyton Krebs didn’t play in this game because the Sabres sent him down to Rochester as a paper transaction as part of the daily roster management required as they continue to keep three goalies on the 23-man roster.

(Top photo of Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen making a save against the Predators: Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today)

Not a bad read, Cozens is really taking that next step.

So should the Sabres take a flyer on JP from Edmonton, gonna have to shed some cap to activate Kane.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...dies-at-52-004841129.html

Don't forget to set them vcr's if ur heading to work

100 pm start time

https://sports.yahoo.com/canucks-legend-gino-odjick-dies-at-52-004841129.html
- Anderdog

That sucks. He was an absolute warrior. Remember that crazy Canucks Sabres game where he ran Hasek and then Barnaby went after Sean Burke? RIP Gino.

The Bills defense allowed just 3.35 yards/play to the Dolphins. That's incredibly low. Only 7 other times did a team allowed fewer y/p in the last 16 years of NFL playoff games. All won. Critical offensive mistakes gave Miami tons of chances and why it was only a 3 point win

https://twitter.com/SalSp...oX1WxFSJZ-VpabVWeCLg&s=19

https://sports.yahoo.com/canucks-legend-gino-odjick-dies-at-52-004841129.html
- Anderdog

RIP Gino