The Buffalo Bills are preparing for their upcoming home game against the New Orleans Saints, scheduled for Sunday. The teams last faced each other during a 2021 Thanksgiving matchup in which quarterback Josh Allen led Buffalo to its first-ever win over New Orleans.
Speaking before Wednesday’s practice, head coach Sean McDermott recognized the Saints’ resilience early in the season. “This last game got away from [head coach Kellen Moore]. Overall, the first two games, it’s a one possession game. They’ve got the ball and a chance to win the game,” McDermott said of the Saints. “You’re seeing them fight until the end and come back from more than one score down, which is hard to do in this league.”
A win would give Buffalo a 4-0 record for the first time since 2020, while New Orleans could drop to 0-4 for the first time since 2012.
Buffalo’s defense has faced challenges recently, particularly on third downs. In Week 3 against Miami, they allowed conversions on 10 of 15 attempts and have given up an average of 156 rushing yards per game with opponents averaging 6.2 yards per carry. McDermott addressed these issues: “We can be better. Not just rushing the pass route but working together to impact the play or affect the quarterback better,” he said. “To say it’s just the rush or just the coverage … wouldn’t be fair.”
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler has thrown for over 200 yards in five consecutive games dating back to last season. Despite only scoring one touchdown against Seattle’s strong run defense last week, Rattler managed 218 passing yards by utilizing various offensive options including running back Alvin Kamara and several wide receivers.
The Saints will face a different environment at Highmark Stadium this weekend due to crowd noise and home field energy. McDermott commented on this factor: “Let’s also be honest, our fans create an environment. That 12th man is real, and we’ll need them again this week,” he said. “I know our fans are the best in the NFL for a reason.”
Communication remains key for Buffalo’s defense at home where crowd noise can make it difficult for players to hear each other on field adjustments. Cornerback Taron Johnson explained: “Our defense takes a lot of communication … when we’re at home, we can’t even hear each other,” he said. “You might see safeties running up to the line of scrimmage, talking or talking to the linebackers in the air … everyone has to have a sort of awareness that if the picture changes on offense, it could possibly change on defense as well.”
Quarterback Josh Allen emphasized that winning is his priority rather than focusing on highlight-reel plays: “Any sport, you want to see fireworks, right? You want to see the big plays and the long touchdowns and the guys breaking tackles and the guys jumping over people … I love those plays too,” Allen said. “I love making those plays, but ultimately, I love winning football games more.”
Allen highlighted having multiple offensive options as valuable assets heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Running back James Cook currently leads all NFL players with four rushing touchdowns this season and ranks second in total rushing yards with 284 from 53 carries. Against New York Jets he scored twice on runs including a notable 44-yard touchdown after eluding defenders.
Cook’s approach has drawn praise from teammates such as left guard David Edwards: “It’s one thing to be able to see the results of the play and say, ‘Oh, well, [Cook] did this, this and this,'” Edwards said. “Well … if he gets the ball and just cuts it back, the defense reacts accordingly. So his ability to press blocks [and] put guys on us makes our job so much easier. I think that’s why he’s so special.”
Tight end Dalton Kincaid has also contributed offensively with two touchdowns so far this season and an additional 136 receiving yards since opening scoring with a touchdown catch in Week One.
“He does everything the right way. He’s following the football … he’s doing a good job of catching the ball and scoring,” Allen said about Kincaid. “So we love when we can, you know, rely on somebody that when you throw it up they’re going to come down with it.”
Buffalo aims to maintain its current home winning streak; their last regular-season loss at Highmark Stadium was against Denver in Week Ten of last year.
Both McDermott and Allen stressed focusing only on Sunday’s game without looking ahead or behind them.
“One game at a time,” Allen said. “And you know it’s most important one because it’s next one, and we’ll figure it out when we get there.”
