Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills defeated the New Orleans Saints, 31-19, on Sunday at Highmark Stadium to remain unbeaten to start the 2025 season.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down following the contest, starting Up once again after another victory:
ARROW UP:
RB - James Cook
Cook was, arguably, the best player on the field all day.
The 26-year-old, once again, ran with elusiveness and power, finding the end zone on a run for an eighth-consecutive contest, breaking a Bills franchise record. He gained tough yards when needed in the second half, and finished the day with 117 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per-carry.
He also added 18 yards receiving for a 135-yard total offensive day.
QB - Josh Allen
Allen‘s stats weren’t eye-popping, but he made critical plays when needed, and was extremely efficient both running and throwing the football.
He started the game completing his first five passes, including a terrific 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Khalil Shakir. He also made critical gains and yardage with his feet.
Allen finished by going 16-of-22 (72.3%) for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the air, while adding 45 yards and a score on the ground.
Cole Bishop and his interception
Bishop made the play of the game late in the second quarter.
The Saints trailed 14-10 and faced a 3rd-and-goal from the Bills' five-yard line, looking to take the lead. They ran a trick play, with wide receiver Chris Olave trying to throw the ball back to quarterback Spencer Rattler.
However, Bishop read the play perfectly and showed incredible athleticism to get into the air and grab the ball with one hand for an interception.
Bishop finished with five total tackles, the interception, and a pass breakup.
DT - Deone Walker
Walker continues to impress, and was excellent at the point of attack, dominating his man at the line of scrimmage at times, finishing with three total tackles, including two for loss.
WR - Khalil Shakir
Shakir was, once again, a pinball with the ball in his hands, fighting off and breaking tackles, including an electrifying 43-yard touchdown run after a short catch to open the scoring in the first quarter.
He finished with five catches for 69 yards and the score.
Fixing third down defense as the game went on
The Saints started the game converting on two of their first four third-down attempts. After that, the Bills defense clamped down, allowing just three of their next nine tries.
New Orleans finished the game 5-of-13 (38.5%) on third downs.
Pass defense
The Saints threw for just 126 yards and averaged only 3.5 yards per-attempt, an extremely low number.
ARROW DOWN:
Run defense
The Bills continued to give up too many yards and big plays against the run. The Saints ran 34 times times for 189 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per-carry.
Third down offense
The Bills had trouble converting third downs, finishing just 3-for-10 (30%).
Having to use two early timeouts in the second half
The Bills were not ready with their personnel on defense and had to burn their first timeout of the second half on the first Saints series.
Then they had just 10 men on the field before the Saints lined up for a two-point conversion, and had to use another timeout.
Pass protection/three sacks allowed
This was some of the poorest pass protection we’ve seen from the Bills in quite a while. Allen was sacked three times, and also had to escape a couple others.
RT - Ryan Van Demark
Van Demark started for the injured Spencer Brown, and got beaten cleanly a couple times off the edge, which led directly to either a sack or pressure.
Penalties
The Bills were called for 11 penalties for 55 yards. For too many, and several cost them nice gains on offensive plays.
Tackling
The Bills had a rough day tackling ball carriers. Too many times Saints players were not brought down when they should have been, gaining too many extra yards.
DE - Joey Bosa
The Bills defensive end was caught crashing down too often and not staying home on the edge, allowing several plays to get around him.
Joe Brady's fourth down play call
Up 21-16 and facing a 4th-and-1 from the Saints' 49-yard line, the Bills elected to go for it. Instead of having Allen or Cook run the ball, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady called a counter-pass to Shakir, which lost yardage and gave the ball back to New Orleans.
It was not the time for that call, and he got too cute.
The second quarter
After seemingly being in control of the game after one quarter, the second quarter was not a good one for the Bills.
In that quarter, the Saints outgained the Bills, 55-13, Josh Allen was sacked twice, New Orleans ran for 47 yards, and Bills offensive drives ended with an interception, two punts, and the half ending because they were too deep in their own end to risk anything after consecutive penalties. In fact, Buffalo was called for five penalties in that quarter alone.
They were fortunate that the Saints only outscored them 3-0 over those 15 minutes.
DE - Greg Rousseau
Rousseau was not impactful enough once again. He was on the stat sheet for three total tackles, but no pressures, no tackles for loss, and no sacks.
Not going back to Keon Coleman
In the first half, Coleman caught three passes for 45 yards. It looked like he was on his way to a big game.
His final stat line didn't change, though, and he wasn't targeted at all in the second half.
Starting field position difference
The average starting field position for the Saints was their own 39-yard line. For the Bills, it was their own 27.
A huge gap and difference.
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