On this bonus Saturday episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by good friend Joe Yerdon (Bleacher Report/Noted Hockey) for a Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions (Joe’s favorite team) preview, keys to victory and bold game predictions in addition to Joe dishing some Buffalo Sabres locker room talk.

This is quite possibly the NFL game of the year and certainly one of most intriguing matchups for fans all around the league. Detroit (12-1) has won 11 games in a row and despite their defensive faceplant in Los Angeles last week, Buffalo owns a 10-3 record and is still in the mix for the top seed in the AFC. The guys talk about both teams and a slew of talented, game-impacting players on both sides of the ball. Patrick points out that Detroit’s elite by almost every metric while Joe, a longtime Lions fan still gets anxiety because of their long, ugly past.

As always with these weekly previews, Patrick discusses his three biggest keys to a Bills win and let’s put it this way—Sean McDermott and his coaching staff better be in a gambling mood because playing Detroit conservatively is a recipe to get smashed. Among Patrick’s three bold predictions and an unheralded weapon keeping the good vibes going a definitive outlook for Detroit’s running backs before both guys have a final score pick.

They also spend a little time talking about a Sabres team Joe covers full-time that has fallen on their face and can’t get back up. Patrick asks Joe what’s the mood like recently in the Sabres locker room, is this a team that believes in itself, what shakeups need to happen and does that include the firing of general manager Kevyn Adams. That and plenty more.

Follow Joe on Blue Sky @joeyerdon.bsky.social, subscribe to his Noted Hockey site on Substack.

Major props to Talking Buffalo sponsor, Sonny Red’s at 1841 Abbott Road in Lackawanna, just minutes from Highmark Stadium. We consider them THE most underrated spot for wings, pizza and other great food in Western New York plus it’s a great place to drink and have a great time.

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