Canal Street Chronicles
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.
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.
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.
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...
