The New Orleans Saints put up a fight but lost to the undefeated Buffalo Bills 31-19 on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.
The loss dropped the Saints to 0-4. Buffalo improved to 4-0.
The Saints ran the ball effectively with Spencer Rattler, Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara each rushing for more than 49 yards but some red-zone problems limited them to two Blake Grupe field goals (54 and 35 yards) instead of touchdowns. Another red-zone excursion ended in an interception when New Orleans tried to run the Philly special.
Buffalo also ran the ball well with James Cook rushing for more than 100 yards for the third straight game. Quarterback Josh Allen, the league MVP in 2024, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.
Saints receiver Chris Olave caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter but the two-point attempt failed to make it 21-16. Grupe's second field goal made it 21-19 but Buffalo immediately answered with another score. The Saints marched into Buffalo territory but came up a yard short on fourth-and-three and Buffalo added a field goal.
The Saints special teams unit was better but one of the kickoffs didn't make the landing zone and Nephi Sewell was called for roughing the punter, giving the ball back to Buffalo allowing the Bills to run out most of the clock.
Miller bulled into the end zone from 18 yards on the Saints' opening drive, the first time they have scored on their opening possession this season. Kicker Blake Grupe made a 54-yard field goal in the second quarter for the team's other points. The Saints had a chance to score late in the half but New Orleans' attempt at a Philly Special was picked off (receiver Chris Olave threw the pass).
Safety Jonas Sanker intercepted Allen in the second quarter. It was Sanker's first career interception and was Buffalo's first turnover of the season. Linebacker Pete Werner almost intercepted Allen on the next possession but the ball slipped through Werner's hands. Defensive end Cam Jordan sacked Allen in the second quarter, the 124th of his legendary career. Defensive end Carl Granderson also had a sack as did defensive tackle Bryan Bresee .
Rattler was 18 of 27 for 125 yards and ran the ball six times for 49 yards. Kamara had 15 carries for 70 yards. Miller had 65 yards on five carries.
Right guard Cesar Ruiz left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.
The Saints will play host to the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 5
