Buffalo Press Box - podcast cover

Buffalo Press Box

Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabatobuffalopressbox.fireside.fm
Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato are credentialed sportswriters for the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. Bill has covered the Sabres for two decades and has managed his website, The Buffalo Hockey Beat, since 2012. Nick has covered the Bills since 2022 and is currently the sports editor for the Niagara Gazette and Lockport Union-Sun & Journal newspapers. We provide in-depth news and analysis on the Buffalo sports scene. Get information directly from the locker rooms and everything else you need to know from the Bills and Sabres weekly. For questions are comments, email us at [email protected].

Episodes

Episode 73: Draft dive

Where do the Buffalo Bills go in the first round? Why did the Bills bring back Tre'Davious White and how does it impact their draft plan? James Cook a workout no-show? And will Kevyn Adams return as Sabres GM? Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss.

Apr 23, 20251 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 73

Episode 72: Another Sabre-less spring

Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL's all-time goals record. What are some sports records that won't be broken? And the Buffalo Sabres are out of playoff contention for the 14th consecutive season as Lindy Ruff nears 900 career wins.

Apr 10, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 72

Episode 71: Benford hits bank

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss the Buffalo Bills' extension for Christian Benford and the decision to table talks with James Cook. The Buffalo Sabres are also on their annual April hot streak and Alexander Ovechkin is nearing Wayne Gretzky's goals record.

Apr 04, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 71

Episode 70: Lindy's 600th

Stefon Diggs is back in the AFC East and several NFL rule changes are on the table. Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss that, plus Lindy Ruff's 600th win with the Sabres, whether he's a Hall of Famer and how much longer he could coach.

Mar 27, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 70

Episode 69: On the Gas

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe, Nick Sabato and Joe Yerdon discuss the Buffalo Bills signing two players set to be suspended for PEDs, the cornerback situation, Buffalo Sabres goaltenders and Owen Power's development.

Mar 19, 20251 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 69

Episode 68: Free Agent Frenzy

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dive into all of the Buffalo Bills' extensions, including Josh Allen's record-setting deal, plus the addition of Joey Bosa and other free agent signings. Joe Yerdon also rejoins the program to discuss the Sabres' trade deadline moves.

Mar 14, 20251 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 68

Episode 67: The Combine Craze

Khalil Shakir became the first of the Buffalo Bills' young players to sign an extension, plus NFL combine talk and Joe Yerdon joins the show to bring sanity to the Buffalo Sabres discussion ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

Mar 03, 20251 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 67

Episode 66: All-Star break

The Buffalo Bills have five key players on expiring rookie contracts. Who do they keep? Plus, a look at the 4 Nations Face-Off, whether it lacks star power and sustainability.

Feb 19, 202551 minSeason 1Ep. 66

Episode 65: Super Bowl surprise

Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dive into the Super Bowl, how the Bills should mirror the Eagles' roster building and a look at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Feb 12, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 65

Episode 64: Bummer for Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills dropped another heart-breaking playoff loss. Why can't the Bills get over the hump? What needs to change? Plus, Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dive into coaching decisions, impending salary cap decisions and another Sabres misstep.

Feb 05, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 64

Episode 63: Kansas City, Here They Come

The Buffalo Bills are seeking their first playoff win since 1993 and a trip to the Super Bowl comes with it. Sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato take a gander at Buffalo's win over the Baltimore Ravens and a date with the Chiefs. They dig into the NFL's shift away from throwing the ball and the next chapter of the Josh Allen-Patrick Mahomes saga.

Jan 22, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 63

Episode 62: Playoff Fever

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato breakdown the Buffalo Bills' resounding playoff-opening win over the Denver Broncos, while former Bills offensive lineman Jerry Ostroski joins the program to offer insight into the long-awaited matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres experienced another head-scratching collapse that likely put an end to any playoff push.

Jan 15, 20251 hr 33 minSeason 1Ep. 62

Episode 61: The Wild Card

The Buffalo Bills have a date with the Denver Broncos to open the playoffs. Is this the start of a deep run or another early exit? How does perception of Josh Allen change with another early loss? And despite a dismal stretch, the Buffalo Sabres are still in striking distance of a playoff spot.

Jan 08, 20251 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 61

Episode 60: A New Year

Taking inventory on how far the Buffalo Bills have come since the drought, why the NFL MVP criteria needs to be more consistent and whether the Buffalo Sabres can continue playing well. Will Josh Allen still be the favorite after resting most of Week 18, who Bills fans should prefer to face in the wild-card round and whether Jiri Kulich deserves more playing time for the Sabres.

Jan 01, 20251 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 60

Episode 59: The Christmas Episode

Are Buffalo Bills fans getting to a point where they aren't satisfied with simply winning? Have the Buffalo Sabres earned any good will by snapping a 13-game winless streak? Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss that, Josh Allen's MVP candidacy and whether the Bills should extend James Cook.

Dec 25, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 59

Episode 58: One Buffalo, two different worlds

The Buffalo Bills showed themselves to be legitimate contenders while Josh Allen nears an MVP with amid a historic hot streak. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres continue to find new lows in woeful losing streak. Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss Allen's recent play, the defensive struggles and a lookahead to the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Sabres continue to be horrific with seemingly no end in sight.

Dec 19, 20241 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 58

Episode 57: Buffalo Blues

The Buffalo Bills squandered a historic performance by Josh Allen as their seven-game winning streak was snapped against the Los Angeles Rams. Sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dive into Sean McDermott's mistakes, a woeful defensive performance and a disastrous week from the Buffalo Sabres. Why are the Sabres stumbling so badly and just how bad was general manager Kevyn Adams' press conference?

Dec 11, 20241 hr 36 minSeason 1Ep. 57

Episode 56: Different worlds

The Buffalo Bills captured their fifth consecutive AFC East championship in a year they weren't supposed to, while the Sabres continue to be predictably unpredictable. Sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dig into how the Bills have gotten to 10-2, another signature play from Josh Allen and a lookahead to a possible letdown game against the Los Angeles Rams. Plus, the Sabres are now losers of four in a row after winning three in a row. Are they ever going to find consistency?

Dec 04, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 56

Episode 55: A Thanksgiving Feast

The Buffalo Bills are coming off their bye and sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato explain why it's imperative to keep their foot on the gas. They look at Josh Allen's MVP chances as he enters Week 13 as the betting favorite, while breaking down the matchup against an injury riddled San Francisco 49ers team. Plus, the Sabres bring a three-game winning streak home from California.

Nov 27, 20241 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 55

Episode 54: Buffalo surprise

The Buffalo Bills handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss to improbably improve to 9-2. Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss how they got there, if they can remain contenders and whether Josh Allen's touchdown run was the top moment in Highmark Stadium history. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are better, but still experiencing highs and lows. Devon Levi has been sent to Rochester, while Isak Rosen gets another shot in the NHL.

Nov 20, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 54

Episode 53: Measuring stick

The Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts with a ragtag group of receivers. Now they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in a major AFC measuring-stick game. Sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss why the Bills can't afford a loss, what to make of Buffalo's offense in the midst of injuries to receivers and Matt Milano's return to practice. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres three-game winning streak was snapped in crushing fashion.

Nov 13, 20241 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 53

Episode 52: The East's beasts

The Buffalo Bills now have a stranglehold on the AFC East. Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss how the Bills eked out a win over the Miami Dolphins and what it means moving forward. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are faced with their worst start in seven years and how they can climb back out of the cellar again.

Nov 06, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 52

Episode 51: Seamless in Seattle

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss the Buffalo Bills' rout of the Seattle Seahawks, what it means for the Buffalo offense and if it's too early to talk about winning the AFC East. They also get into how Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir have pieced together back-to-back strong outings and how the Bills have played timely defense. Plus, the Sabres have started to pick up their play, led by Tage Thompson's hot streak.

Oct 30, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 51

Episode 50: Cooper's town

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss Amari Cooper's debut with the Buffalo Bills, why he seems like the missing piece and how he affects the rest of the offense. The Bills had their best version of 'Everybody Eats' and it should continue moving forward.

Oct 23, 20241 hrSeason 1Ep. 50

Episode 49: Making moves

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss the Buffalo Bills' trade for receiver Amari Cooper and how he might give the offense a boost. They dig into the matchup with the Tennessee Titans and the sluggish start for the Buffalo Sabres.

Oct 19, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 49

Episode 48: Texas-sized disaster

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato breakdown an offensive disaster by the Buffalo Bills in Houston and another by the Buffalo Sabres in Europe. How much of the blame for the lost to the Houston Texans goes to Joe Brady and how much lands on Josh Allen? Sean McDermott's late-game decision-making?

Oct 08, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 48

Episode 47: Baltimore beatdown

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato discuss the Buffalo Bills flop in Baltimore and a lookahead to the Houston Texans, featuring a reunion with Stefon Diggs. What happened to the Bills against the Ravens? Was it a bad night or were some of their deficiencies exposed? Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are preparing to start the season in Europe.

Oct 03, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 47

Episode 46: Spreading the wealth

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato analyze the Buffalo Bills' Monday night beatdown of the Jacksonville Jaguars and look ahead to the Baltimore Ravens. They also weigh in on whether Josh Allen is playing the best football of his career, his presumptive comments about Stefon Diggs and matchup with Lamar Jackson. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are back in action with a hot start to the preseason.

Sep 26, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 46

Episode 45: The Trap Episode

The Buffalo Bills routed the Miami Dolphins. Can they avoid another clunker against the Jaguars? The Bills face Jacksonville following a win over the Dolphins for the third time in four seasons, losing the previous two. Can the defense stay hot after losing Terrel Bernard? When will the Bills need to rely on Josh Allen's arm to win? Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are set to open training camp.

Sep 17, 20241 hrSeason 1Ep. 45

Episode 44: The Al Bundy vs. Josh Allen Debate

Buffalo sportswriters Bill Hoppe and Nick Sabato dig into the Buffalo Bills' Week 1 win and their quick turnaround against the Miami Dolphins. Does Josh Allen have to be a superhero for the Bills to win every week? Plus, big performances from Greg Rousseau and Von Miller and what the Bills must do to stop the Miami Dolphins.

Sep 11, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 44
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast