New orleans saints vs Buffalo bills match player stats
The new orleans saints vs buffalo bills match player stats from September 28, 2025, show how Buffalo turned a fast start, efficient quarterback play, and a productive rushing attack into a 31-19 victory at Highmark Stadium. The Saints moved the ball well on the ground and finished with 298 total yards, but Buffalo produced the more effective scoring performance and controlled the game after taking an early 14-point lead.
Josh Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for 209 gross passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. James Cook III added 117 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. For New Orleans, Spencer Rattler completed 18 of 27 passes for 126 gross yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, while Alvin Kamara rushed for 70 yards on 15 attempts.
The final score was Buffalo 31, New Orleans 19. The result moved Buffalo to 4-0 while New Orleans fell to 0-4. The official game record also shows that Buffalo generated 356 total yards compared with 298 for New Orleans, despite the Saints producing 189 rushing yards to Buffalo’s 165. (Pro Football Reference)
Game overview
The matchup was more competitive statistically than the 12-point final margin might suggest. New Orleans actually gained more rushing yards and produced 22 first downs, compared with 20 for Buffalo. The Bills, however, were more efficient with their passing game and converted their offensive opportunities into four touchdowns.
Buffalo scored twice in the opening quarter and took a 14-7 advantage. The Saints answered with a field goal in the second quarter, but Buffalo maintained a 14-10 halftime lead.
The third quarter produced seven more Buffalo points, while New Orleans scored six. The Saints entered the final quarter trailing 21-16, meaning the game was still within reach.
Buffalo then added a 35-yard field goal and a Dalton Kincaid touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. New Orleans managed only one more field goal, allowing the Bills to close out the 31-19 victory. (Pro Football Reference)
Score by quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 19 |
| Buffalo Bills | 14 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
The quarter-by-quarter pattern is important because it shows that Buffalo did not need to dominate every period. Its 14-point first quarter created separation, and the Bills then maintained enough offensive efficiency to protect that advantage.
new orleans saints vs buffalo bills match player stats: Passing
Quarterback production was one of the clearest differences between the two offenses.
Spencer Rattler
Spencer Rattler completed 18 of 27 passes for 126 gross passing yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He was also credited with three sacks for 17 yards, leaving New Orleans with 109 net passing yards. His official passer rating was 89.4. (Pro Football Reference)
Rattler’s completion percentage was:
18 ÷ 27 = 66.7%
That completion rate is respectable, but the Saints’ passing attack struggled to generate large gains. The 126 gross yards across 27 attempts worked out to only 4.7 yards per attempt.
This is an important distinction when reading quarterback statistics. A quarterback can complete a high percentage of throws while still producing limited offensive output if the passing game does not create enough explosive plays.
Rattler also contributed 49 rushing yards on six attempts. Those rushing numbers were meaningful because they helped New Orleans finish with 189 team rushing yards.
Josh Allen
Josh Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for 209 gross yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked three times for 18 yards, giving Buffalo 191 net passing yards. Allen finished with a 113.6 passer rating. (Pro Football Reference)
His completion percentage was:
16 ÷ 22 = 72.7%
Allen averaged 9.5 gross yards per attempt, more than double Rattler’s 4.7-yard figure. That efficiency helped explain why Buffalo scored four touchdowns despite having fewer total rushing yards than New Orleans.
Allen also rushed seven times for 45 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. His ability to contribute both as a passer and runner added another layer to Buffalo’s offensive production.
Quarterback comparison
| Statistic | Spencer Rattler | Josh Allen |
| Completions | 18 | 16 |
| Attempts | 27 | 22 |
| Completion rate | 66.7% | 72.7% |
| Gross passing yards | 126 | 209 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks | 3 | 3 |
| Sack yards | 17 | 18 |
| Net passing yards | 109 | 191 |
| Passer rating | 89.4 | 113.6 |
| Rushing yards | 49 | 45 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
The table highlights an interesting feature of the game. Rattler completed two more passes than Allen, but Allen attempted five fewer passes and produced 83 more gross passing yards.
That efficiency gap mattered.
Alvin Kamara leads New Orleans on the ground
Alvin Kamara was the Saints’ leading rusher with 15 carries for 70 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. He also recorded four receptions for two receiving yards. (Pro Football Reference)
Kamara’s rushing contribution was part of a much broader team effort. New Orleans finished with:
- 34 rushing attempts
- 189 rushing yards
- 5.6 yards per carry
- One rushing touchdown
Kendre Miller was another important contributor. He carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards and scored New Orleans’ first touchdown on an 18-yard run. (Pro Football Reference)
The Saints therefore averaged more than five yards per rushing attempt as a team. That is one of the more notable statistics from the game because New Orleans still lost despite having the stronger rushing total.
The lesson from the numbers is that yardage alone did not determine the outcome.
James Cook III powers Buffalo’s rushing attack
James Cook III was Buffalo’s leading rusher. He carried the ball 22 times for 117 yards and scored one touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. (Pro Football Reference)
Cook’s workload was significant. His 22 carries represented a large portion of Buffalo’s 32 rushing attempts.
Buffalo’s team rushing totals were:
- 32 attempts
- 165 yards
- 5.2 yards per carry
- Two rushing touchdowns
Allen added 45 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, while the remaining Buffalo runners supplied the rest of the production.
Cook’s 117 yards were particularly valuable because they allowed Buffalo to maintain offensive balance. The Bills did not have to rely entirely on Allen’s arm to move the ball.
Rushing comparison
| Statistic | Saints | Bills |
| Rushing attempts | 34 | 32 |
| Rushing yards | 189 | 165 |
| Yards per carry | 5.6 | 5.2 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 2 |
| Leading rusher | Alvin Kamara | James Cook III |
| Leading rusher yards | 70 | 117 |
New Orleans won the raw rushing-yardage battle by 24 yards, but Buffalo scored two rushing touchdowns compared with one for the Saints.
That difference illustrates why individual player statistics should always be viewed alongside scoring efficiency.
Receiving production
The receiving numbers tell another important part of the story.
Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheed led New Orleans with four receptions for 47 yards, averaging 11.8 yards per reception. He also returned one punt for 10 yards. (Pro Football Reference)
Shaheed’s receiving total made him New Orleans’ leading receiver by yardage, although the Saints spread their limited passing production among several players.
Chris Olave finished with three receptions for 20 yards and scored New Orleans’ lone passing touchdown on a three-yard reception from Rattler. (Pro Football Reference)
Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir was Buffalo’s leading receiver. He caught five passes for 69 yards and scored a touchdown. His 43-yard reception was Buffalo’s longest completion of the game. (Pro Football Reference)
Shakir’s opening-quarter touchdown immediately gave Buffalo momentum. The 43-yard scoring reception from Allen put the Bills ahead 7-0 with 10:49 remaining in the first quarter.
Dalton Kincaid also made an important contribution, catching one pass for 28 yards and scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Keon Coleman recorded three catches for 45 yards, while Josh Palmer added two receptions for 25 yards.
Receiving comparison
| Statistic | Saints | Bills |
| Team receptions | 18 | 16 |
| Team receiving yards | 126 | 209 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 | 2 |
| Leading receiver | Rashid Shaheed | Khalil Shakir |
| Leading receiver yards | 47 | 69 |
| Longest listed reception | 20 | 43 |
Buffalo’s receiving group was more productive despite catching two fewer passes as a team.
That difference again comes down to efficiency and explosive plays. The Bills averaged considerably more yardage per reception, helping Allen produce 209 gross passing yards on only 22 attempts.
The importance of explosive plays
One of the strongest insights from the new orleans saints vs buffalo bills match player stats is the difference in explosive passing production.
Buffalo opened the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Shakir. Later, Kincaid caught a 28-yard touchdown pass.
Those two plays alone produced 71 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
New Orleans, by comparison, did not generate a passing play of similar magnitude in the supplied official statistics. The Saints’ longest listed completed pass was 20 yards.
This helps explain how Buffalo could finish with only 191 net passing yards but still score four touchdowns.
The Bills did not need a huge volume of passing attempts. They made more of their opportunities count.
Defensive player statistics
The defensive totals were relatively close in several categories.
New Orleans recorded:
- 59 total tackles
- 44 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 5 tackles for loss
- 4 passes defended
- 7 quarterback hits
Buffalo recorded:
- 69 total tackles
- 48 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 5 tackles for loss
- 2 passes defended
- 4 quarterback hits
The Bills therefore recorded 10 more total tackles and four more solo tackles. Both teams registered three sacks and five tackles for loss. (NFL)
Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kool-Aid McKinstry led New Orleans with seven total tackles, all seven recorded as solo tackles.
His tackle production reflected the amount of work required from the Saints defense throughout the game.
Tre’Davious White
Tre’Davious White led Buffalo with seven total tackles, also recording seven solo tackles. He added one tackle for loss.
The defensive numbers show that this was not a game in which one team completely overwhelmed the other in traditional tackle or sack statistics.
Instead, Buffalo’s advantage was more visible in how defensive stops were paired with offensive scoring opportunities.
Turnovers and possession
Turnovers were limited but important.
New Orleans committed one interception and had one fumble without losing it. Buffalo also threw one interception and did not record a fumble. (NFL)
The Saints’ interception came from Jonas Sanker, while Cole Bishop recorded Buffalo’s interception with a four-yard return.
Both teams therefore finished with one interception, meaning the turnover margin did not create a major statistical separation.
Time of possession was also relatively close. New Orleans had the ball for 28:39, while Buffalo held possession for 31:21. (NFL)
That three-minute difference is useful context. Buffalo did not win simply by keeping the Saints’ offense off the field for a huge portion of the afternoon.
The Bills won because they were more productive when they had the ball.
Red-zone efficiency explains part of the difference
Red-zone performance is one of the clearest indicators of the scoring gap.
New Orleans went 2-for-4 in the red zone, a 50 percent touchdown rate.
Buffalo went 2-for-3, converting 66.7 percent of its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. (NFL)
That difference may appear small, but red-zone possessions have a much higher scoring value than ordinary drives.
New Orleans also reached goal-to-go situations twice and scored once. Buffalo reached goal-to-go situations twice and converted both.
The Bills therefore finished with four touchdowns compared with two for the Saints.
That six-point difference in touchdown production was central to the final result.
Special teams statistics
Special teams also produced several useful numbers.
Blake Grupe converted both of his field-goal attempts for New Orleans. His longest field goal was 54 yards, and he made one extra-point attempt for seven total kicking points.
Matt Prater converted his lone field-goal attempt from 35 yards and made all four extra-point attempts, also producing seven kicking points. (NFL)
Kai Kroeger punted three times for New Orleans for 142 yards, averaging 47.3 yards per punt.
Cameron Johnston punted twice for Buffalo for 83 yards, averaging 41.5 yards per punt.
The Saints also received strong kick-return production from Velus Jones Jr., who had five returns for 134 yards, an average of 26.8 yards per return.
Buffalo’s Curtis Samuel and Ty Johnson combined for four kick returns totaling 95 yards.
These numbers show that New Orleans had several positive special-teams moments even though the overall scoreboard favored Buffalo.
Team offense comparison
The overall offensive statistics provide the clearest snapshot of the matchup.
| Category | New Orleans | Buffalo |
| Total yards | 298 | 356 |
| Passing yards, net | 109 | 191 |
| Rushing yards | 189 | 165 |
| Total first downs | 22 | 20 |
| Offensive plays | 65 | 57 |
| Third-down conversion | 5/13 | 3/10 |
| Fourth-down conversion | 0/2 | 0/1 |
| Red-zone TD rate | 50% | 66.7% |
| Time of possession | 28:39 | 31:21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Final score | 19 | 31 |
The numbers reveal an unusual offensive profile.
New Orleans ran eight more offensive plays than Buffalo and gained more first downs. The Saints also rushed for 24 more yards.
Yet Buffalo gained 58 more total yards and scored 12 more points.
The biggest difference was passing efficiency. Buffalo gained 191 net passing yards compared with 109 for New Orleans.
That 82-yard advantage through the air outweighed New Orleans’ 24-yard advantage on the ground.
Why Buffalo’s passing game mattered
Allen’s 209 gross passing yards came on only 22 attempts.
That is a major efficiency indicator.
The Bills did not throw frequently, but their passing attack generated significant yardage on limited opportunities. Allen averaged 9.5 yards per attempt before sack yardage was deducted.
The 43-yard touchdown to Shakir was especially important because it immediately created a seven-point advantage.
The later 28-yard touchdown to Kincaid provided another explosive scoring play in the fourth quarter.
This is where the passing numbers connect directly to the scoreboard. Buffalo’s passing attack produced not just yardage, but high-value yardage.
Why New Orleans struggled to turn yards into points
New Orleans generated 189 rushing yards, which was actually 24 more than Buffalo.
The Saints also recorded 22 first downs.
However, only 109 of their 298 total yards came through the air after sack yardage. Their passing game lacked the explosive production Buffalo received from Allen.
The Saints also went 0-for-2 on fourth down.
Those failed fourth-down attempts did not automatically determine the game, but they show that New Orleans had difficulty extending possessions when it needed to sustain drives.
The Saints scored only two touchdowns despite moving the ball effectively in several areas.
That is the central statistical tension of the game: New Orleans produced respectable yardage totals but Buffalo produced more scoring value from its yardage.
A closer look at the scoring sequence
The opening quarter established the game’s rhythm.
Buffalo scored first on Shakir’s 43-yard touchdown reception.
New Orleans responded when Kendre Miller broke loose for an 18-yard rushing touchdown.
The Bills then regained the lead through Cook’s one-yard touchdown run.
The second quarter was quieter. New Orleans cut into the deficit with Grupe’s 54-yard field goal, sending the game to halftime with Buffalo ahead 14-10.
Allen then extended Buffalo’s advantage in the third quarter with a five-yard rushing touchdown.
New Orleans responded late in the quarter when Olave caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Rattler. The failed two-point conversion left the Saints trailing 21-16.
Grupe added another field goal early in the fourth quarter, making it 21-19.
At that point, New Orleans was within one possession.
Buffalo answered with Kincaid’s 28-yard touchdown reception, then Prater added a 35-yard field goal to finish the scoring at 31-19. (Pro Football Reference)
The sequence demonstrates Buffalo’s ability to answer New Orleans whenever the Saints reduced the deficit.
What the player statistics reveal
Looking beyond the final score, several themes stand out.
1. Buffalo was more efficient through the air
Allen’s 209 gross passing yards on 22 attempts were a major advantage.
Rattler’s 126 yards came on 27 attempts.
The difference in yards per attempt was substantial and helped Buffalo generate more points without needing a high passing volume.
2. New Orleans was effective on the ground
Kamara, Miller, and Rattler combined to help the Saints produce 189 rushing yards.
The team averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt.
That was a legitimate strength of the New Orleans offense.
3. James Cook provided sustained production
Cook’s 117 yards on 22 carries gave Buffalo a dependable rushing foundation.
His one-yard touchdown also helped the Bills capitalize on an important early possession.
4. Buffalo produced the bigger receiving plays
Shakir’s 43-yard touchdown and Kincaid’s 28-yard touchdown were key examples.
The Saints did not match that type of passing explosiveness.
5. Turnovers were not the main explanation
Both teams recorded one interception, and neither team lost multiple fumbles.
Therefore, the 31-19 final score was not primarily the result of a huge turnover imbalance.
6. Red-zone execution favored Buffalo
The Bills converted two of three red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
New Orleans converted two of four.
That efficiency difference helped Buffalo turn drives into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals.
How to read these stats correctly
When searching for new orleans saints vs buffalo bills match player stats, it is easy to focus only on the leading quarterback, running back, or receiver.
A better approach is to connect individual production to team outcomes.
For example, Kamara’s 70 rushing yards are useful by themselves, but they become more meaningful when compared with New Orleans’ 189 team rushing yards.
Likewise, Allen’s 209 passing yards matter more when you consider that Buffalo produced 356 total yards despite running only 57 offensive plays.
The official NFL game statistics provide the complete breakdown of passing, rushing, receiving, returns, defense, penalties, scoring, and team efficiency. Official NFL game statistics
Key numbers at a glance
For readers who want the most important figures quickly, these are the numbers that define the game:
- Buffalo won 31-19.
- Buffalo entered the game 3-0 and improved to 4-0.
- New Orleans fell to 0-4.
- Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for 209 gross yards.
- Rattler completed 18 of 27 passes for 126 gross yards.
- Cook rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown.
- Kamara rushed for 70 yards.
- New Orleans gained 189 rushing yards.
- Buffalo gained 165 rushing yards.
- Buffalo gained 191 net passing yards.
- New Orleans gained 109 net passing yards.
- Shakir caught five passes for 69 yards and one touchdown.
- Shaheed caught four passes for 47 yards.
- Both teams recorded one interception.
- Buffalo scored four touchdowns.
- New Orleans scored two touchdowns.
- Buffalo held the ball for 31:21.
- New Orleans held the ball for 28:39.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score between the Saints and Bills?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the New Orleans Saints 31-19 on September 28, 2025, at Highmark Stadium.
How many passing yards did Josh Allen have?
Josh Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for 209 gross passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
How many rushing yards did Alvin Kamara have?
Alvin Kamara rushed 15 times for 70 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Who led the Bills in rushing?
James Cook III led Buffalo with 22 carries for 117 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Who was Buffalo’s leading receiver?
Khalil Shakir led Buffalo with five receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown. His longest reception was 43 yards.
How many total yards did each team have?
Buffalo finished with 356 total yards, while New Orleans recorded 298 total yards.
Conclusion
The new orleans saints vs buffalo bills match player stats show a game in which the Saints had legitimate production on the ground but could not match Buffalo’s passing efficiency and touchdown conversion.
New Orleans finished with 189 rushing yards and 22 first downs, demonstrating that its offense was capable of moving the ball. Kamara and Miller combined for 135 rushing yards, while Rattler added another 49 yards on the ground.
Buffalo’s advantage came from the combination of Allen’s efficient passing, Cook’s 117 rushing yards, and timely receiving production from Shakir and Kincaid. The Bills gained 356 total yards and converted those opportunities into four touchdowns.
The final statistical picture is therefore more nuanced than simply saying Buffalo won by 12 points. New Orleans won the rushing-yardage battle and recorded more first downs, while Buffalo created a substantial advantage through net passing yards, explosive completions, and red-zone efficiency.
For anyone studying the game, the most useful takeaway is that the box score should be read as a connected set of numbers. Individual performances, offensive efficiency, scoring opportunities, and situational execution all contributed to the final 31-19 result.
