For much of the afternoon, New Orleans refused to go away. Every time Buffalo appeared ready to take control, the Saints found a way to stay close. With less than nine minutes left, the Bills held a narrow 21–19 lead. The game was still there for either side.
Buffalo eventually secured a 31–19 victory at Highmark Stadium on 28 September 2025. Josh Allen delivered three total touchdowns, James Cook passed the 100-yard rushing mark, and Dalton Kincaid made his only catch count.
The New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills match player stats explain how a tight fourth-quarter contest became a 12-point win. They also show why the Saints’ strong running game was not enough. Here is a closer look at the players, numbers and moments that shaped the result.
A Close Game Before Buffalo’s Late Push
Buffalo made the first move through Khalil Shakir. His 43-yard touchdown reception gave the Bills an early advantage and brought the home crowd into the contest.
New Orleans answered on its opening possession. Kendre Miller finished the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run, bringing the score level at 7–7. The Saints had shown quickly that they could move the ball against Buffalo.
James Cook restored the Bills’ lead with a one-yard touchdown. However, Buffalo could not build much breathing room before the break. Blake Grupe’s 54-yard field goal left New Orleans trailing just 14–10 at half-time.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern. Allen scored on a five-yard run, but Spencer Rattler responded with a three-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave. A failed two-point attempt kept Buffalo ahead 21–16.
Grupe then added a 35-yard field goal. With 8:53 remaining, New Orleans had cut the gap to two points.
That is the key context behind the New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills match player stats. Buffalo’s final margin looks comfortable, yet the Saints were within reach until the Bills produced a late touchdown and field goal.
Passing Stats: Allen Found More Value in Fewer Completions
Allen did not need a huge passing total to influence this game. He completed 16 of 22 attempts for 209 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
His best throws helped Buffalo score at opposite ends of the contest. Shakir caught the opening touchdown, while Kincaid supplied the fourth-quarter score that finally gave the Bills some space.
| Passing statistic | Josh Allen | Spencer Rattler |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 16 | 18 |
| Attempts | 22 | 27 |
| Passing yards | 209 | 126 |
| Touchdown passes | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Passer rating | 113.6 | 89.4 |
The Josh Allen passing stats show how much Buffalo gained from each successful throw. He averaged 9.5 yards per attempt, compared with Rattler’s 4.7.
Rattler completed more passes and avoided an interception. Those were useful positives for New Orleans. His touchdown pass to Olave also kept the Saints close late in the third quarter.
Still, the passing attacks had different levels of reach. Rattler’s longest completion gained 17 yards. Buffalo had touchdown receptions of 43 and 28 yards.
There is also an important distinction in the Saints’ turnover record. Rattler did not throw the team’s interception. Receiver Chris Olave threw it during a trick play intended for Rattler.
New Orleans protected the ball through its starting quarterback, but Buffalo gained more ground through the air.
Rushing Stats: Cook Stood Out, but the Saints Gained More
Cook was Buffalo’s leading runner and one of its most reliable performers. He finished with 117 rushing yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per run.
His one-yard touchdown gave Buffalo a 14–7 first-quarter lead. He also contributed three receptions for 18 yards, taking his total from scrimmage to 135 yards.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards | Rushing touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cook | Bills | 22 | 117 | 1 |
| Josh Allen | Bills | 7 | 45 | 1 |
| Alvin Kamara | Saints | 15 | 70 | 0 |
| Kendre Miller | Saints | 11 | 65 | 1 |
| Spencer Rattler | Saints | 6 | 49 | 0 |
The James Cook rushing stats show a player who kept Buffalo moving without relying on one enormous run. His longest carry gained 15 yards. The production came through repeated gains across a substantial workload.
For New Orleans, Alvin Kamara led the ground attack with 70 yards. Miller followed with 65 and the Saints’ opening touchdown.
Rattler added 49 yards on six carries. His ability to escape and run gave New Orleans another way to gain first downs when passing options were limited.
The New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills match player stats contain a result that may surprise anyone who only saw the score: New Orleans rushed for 189 yards, while Buffalo managed 165.
The Saints also gained 14 rushing first downs, compared with Buffalo’s nine. Their ground game was effective. The difference was that Buffalo scored twice through rushing plays, while New Orleans scored once.
Receiving Stats: Shakir’s Start and Kincaid’s Finish
Shakir led Buffalo’s receivers with five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. He caught all five passes directed his way, giving Allen a dependable target.
His opening score was especially valuable. Shakir caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage and carried it into the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown.
Keon Coleman added three catches for 45 yards. Josh Palmer finished with two receptions for 25, while Cook provided a short passing option from the backfield.
| Receiver | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Shakir | Bills | 5 | 69 | 1 |
| Keon Coleman | Bills | 3 | 45 | 0 |
| Dalton Kincaid | Bills | 1 | 28 | 1 |
| Josh Palmer | Bills | 2 | 25 | 0 |
| Rashid Shaheed | Saints | 4 | 47 | 0 |
| Juwan Johnson | Saints | 3 | 28 | 0 |
| Brandin Cooks | Saints | 3 | 22 | 0 |
| Chris Olave | Saints | 3 | 20 | 1 |
Kincaid had only one reception, but it changed the feel of the fourth quarter. His 28-yard touchdown catch extended Buffalo’s lead from two points to nine.
Rashid Shaheed led New Orleans with 47 receiving yards. Juwan Johnson added 28, and Brandin Cooks finished with 22.
Olave gained 20 yards through three catches, including the Saints’ only receiving touchdown. Kamara caught four passes but gained just two receiving yards.
The Bills vs Saints receiving stats highlight how individual catches can carry different weight. Shakir helped establish the lead. Kincaid delivered when Buffalo urgently needed to extend it.
Defence, Turnovers and the Drive That Settled the Game
Both teams recorded three sacks. Joey Bosa, DaQuan Jones and A.J. Epenesa each had one for Buffalo. Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson and Bryan Bresee each brought down Allen for New Orleans.
Tre’Davious White led the Bills with seven total tackles. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Demario Davis each recorded seven for the Saints.
Two interceptions stood out. Jonas Sanker picked off Allen, interrupting Buffalo’s early momentum. Later, Cole Bishop made a one-handed interception near the goal line to stop New Orleans’ trick-play pass.
Bishop’s intervention mattered because the Saints were threatening to score before half-time. Instead, Buffalo carried its four-point lead into the break.
The decisive late sequence began after New Orleans made it 21–19. Facing third-and-five, Allen escaped for a 27-yard run. On the next play, he connected with Kincaid for the touchdown.
Buffalo’s defence then stopped New Orleans on two fourth-down attempts. Between those stops, Matt Prater added a 35-yard field goal to complete the scoring.
The New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills match player stats show the wider difference in attacking output. Buffalo finished with 356 total yards, compared with New Orleans’ 298.
The Bills committed 11 penalties, so this was hardly a spotless performance. Their strongest response came when the lead was under its greatest threat.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills match player stats show why this game deserved more attention than its final margin might suggest. New Orleans ran effectively, kept responding and entered the closing stages only two points behind.
Buffalo found the stronger finish. Cook supplied consistent yards, Shakir delivered the opening breakthrough, and Allen combined with Kincaid for the crucial late score. The Saints made the Bills work for the win, but Buffalo’s biggest plays arrived when the game demanded them.
(FAQs)
Who won the Saints vs Bills game on 28 September 2025?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the New Orleans Saints 31–19 at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo scored the final ten points after the Saints closed the gap to 21–19.
How many touchdowns did Josh Allen score?
Allen accounted for three touchdowns. He threw two touchdown passes and scored once on a five-yard run.
Who had the most rushing yards?
James Cook led all players with 117 rushing yards on 22 carries. Alvin Kamara was the Saints’ leading runner with 70 yards.
Who led the teams in receiving yards?
Khalil Shakir led Buffalo with 69 receiving yards and a touchdown. Rashid Shaheed led New Orleans with 47 receiving yards.
Did Spencer Rattler throw an interception?
No. Rattler passed for 126 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Chris Olave threw the Saints’ intercepted pass on a trick play.
