Game Recap: Saints @ Bills

The New Orleans Saints were looking to shock the NFL world on Sunday when they visited the Buffalo Bills. Here’s a quick recap of all the action from the Week 4 clash.

First Quarter

Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills offense – widely regarded as one of the best in the league – came out guns blazing on this one. Allen was perfect on a drive that finished with a 43-yard touchdown to Khalil Shakir, and an extra point put Buffalo on top 7-0.

But the Saints have found a quick response to opponents’ touchdowns quite often so far this season, and the ensuing drive was no different. Quarterback Spencer Rattler had just one throw to make as he and Alvin Kamara ran the visitors into Bills territory on the first drive, before Kendre Miller broke out for an impressive 18-yard touchdown run to get the Saints back on level terms at 7-7.

The Bills then returned the favor once more, with Allen remaining perfect as two big-yard connections with Keon Coleman helped set up James Cook to run in a touchdown to restore a 7-point advantage.

The Saints kept the pace as they got the ball back, with Kamara finding more success on the ground and Rattler throwing to Shaheed for a first down on the final play of the opening quarter.

Second Quarter

An intentional grounding penalty against Rattler would, unfortunately, halt progress for the black and gold as the second quarter got underway and Kai Kroeger was out to punt for the first time.

But the defense wasn’t on the field for long, as a third-down throw from Allen intended for Coleman was picked off by Jonas Sanker at midfield.

The Saints then failed to capitalize, finding just 2 yards through Kendre Miller before the punt unit was out again.

With both teams having lost their rhythm that made for such a high-flying first quarter, Allen managed just one first down as he returned to the field, and it was Buffalo’s turn to punt.

The Saints found success with the run after a holding penalty against the Bills meant the drive started just past midfield, and were quickly into field goal range, where Blake Grupe was able to kick through from 54 yards to cut into the lead.

A three-and-out from Buffalo meant the Saints had a chance to take the lead into halftime. It looked as if they were going to do exactly that as they drove deep into the red zone with more yards from Kendre Miller, but a trick play that had Chris Olave throwing to Spencer Rattler was intercepted. The Bills ran out the clock, and the first half was over.

Third Quarter

Kamara got the second half underway on the right foot with a 12-yard run, though it would prove to be the only first down the Saints would gain on the drive.

A combination of Cook runs and pinpoint throws from Allen had the Bills marching into Saints territory as they got the ball back. The drive went 80 yards on just 9 plays, finished by Allen running it in himself to put Buffalo on top 21-10.

But the black and gold refused to go away. Juwan Johnson, Rattler, Kamara, and Miller all contributed to a Saints drive that went 65 yards. And this time, it was quarterback-to-receiver, as Rattler found Olave for a successful red zone trip and a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion meant the lead stayed 21-16, but the visitors entered the fourth quarter down just one score in a game they’d been given no chance to win.

Fourth Quarter

The Bills looked to respond and restore a two-score lead, but a 4th-and-1 went nowhere as Carl Granderson forced the stop and a turnover on downs at midfield.

Miller continued his strong performance on the ensuing drive, with throws from Rattler to Brandin Cooks and Olave moving the Saints into the red zone.

New Orleans thought they had the lead as a throw from Rattler to Cooks was ruled a touchdown, before replay officials reversed the call of a good catch. Grupe was good from 35 yards, but Buffalo remained on top.

Allen returned to the field and quickly made the statement plays that the hosts needed. He scrambled for 27 yards to set up a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid, and just like that, the Bills were up 28-19.

Rattler returned with a now much bigger ask of finding two scores. Needing 3 yards just inside Buffalo territory on 4th down, Kamara was stopped short of the yard to gain, and the Bills got the ball back.

Allen was sacked by Bryan Bresee on a fruitless drive, though a roughing the kicker penalty against Nephi Sewell on the Bills’ punt killed dreams of a Saints comeback. More clock ran off before a Buffalo field goal put the lead at 31-19 just before the two-minute warning.

Rattler was twice sacked himself as the Saints offense returned, including once on fourth down, which sealed the deal for Buffalo.

Allen knelt out the remaining clock, and despite a few scares from the scrappy visitors, the Bills managed the win.

The Saints now return home to the Caesars Superdome for a clash with the New York Giants on October 5th.