Although the game was competitive, the New Orleans Saints couldn’t find a way to win on the road on Sunday, falling to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 31-19.
The Saints (0-4) were stymied by a lack of success in the red zone, while the Bills (4-0) used a couple big plays and an otherwise straightforward performance to score more than 30 points for the fourth straight week to open the season.
Here’s what else happened at Highmark Stadium.
Scoring summary
Allen, coming off his first MVP award in 2024, tossed a 43-yard to Khalil Shakir on the opening drive to go up 7-0. The Saints immediately countered with an 18-yard touchdown run by Kendre Miller.
The first quarter then ended but not before Buffalo could retake the lead on a short rushing touchdown by James Cook III. With the score at 14-7, New Orleans put together a lengthy drive in the waning minutes of the opening half but were held to a field goal. The 54-yard boot by Blake Grupe closed the gap, 14-10, going into the locker room.
The Bills got the ball to open the second half and marched down the field with relative ease. Allen saw an opening and scampered in from five yards out halfway through the quarter to go up 21-10.
The Saints didn’t go away, though, with quarterback Spencer Rattler connecting with Chris Olave in the corner of the end zone at the end of the third quarter. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, the score was 21-16.
A defensive stop gave New Orleans a chance to take the lead, but Buffalo’s defense also stepped up and held the Saints to another field goal. The 35-yarder by Grupe closed the gap, 21-19. However, the scoring ended there for New Orleans.
Buffalo tacked on a late touchdown – a 28-yard pass from Allen to Dalton Kincaid – and a 35-yard field goal by Matt Prater to make for a final score of 31-19.
What the coach said
After the game, first-year head coach Kellen Moore was frustrated his team couldn’t pull of an upset but did note that Sunday’s performance was not only encouraging but arguably the best New Orleans has played this season.
“We’re in it,” Moore said. “It’s very frustrating. I think for all of our guys that we’re that close. Our guys settled in and competed for four quarters.”
Numbers never lie
For New Orleans, Rattler finished 18 of 27 passing for 126 yards and ran the ball six times for 49 yards. Kamara rushed 15 times for 70 yards with Miller adding 65 more ground yards on five carries.
Defensively, Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Bryan Bresee each had sacks. It was the 124th career sack for Jordan, now in his 15th season.
New Orleans was 2 for 4 in the red zone.
For Buffalo, Allen threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns but did throw his first interception of the season. In the second quarter, New Orleans safety Jonas Sanker jumped a pass to make for the Bills’ first turnover of 2025.
Helping Allen on the stat sheet was Cook (22 carries, 117 yards, one touchdown) and Shakir (5 receptions, 69 yards, one touchdown). Tre’Davious White had a team-high seven tackles. Cole Bishop added five tackles and an interception, which came on a trick play when Saints wide receiver Chris Olave tried to throw the ball deep in Buffalo territory.
Buffalo is now perfect through four weeks for the first time since 2020. The Bills are also the lone AFC team remaining with no losses to this point.
New Orleans is now 0-4 for the first time since 2012. With the New York Giants finding their first win of the season on Sunday, the Saints are the only NFC team still winless.
Next up
New Orleans: The Saints will welcome the Giants to New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff against the Big Blue and former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is scheduled for noon CT.
Buffalo: The Bills will stay at home and play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. CT.
