Bills vs. Saints: The good and bad from Week 4

The Buffalo Bills handled business at home in Week 4, defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-19 at Highmark Stadium. The Bills remain undefeated and are now 4-0 and sitting atop the AFC East.

Let’s dive into the good and the bad for the Bills in the win:

The good 

Josh Allen delivers 

Quarterback Josh Allen forged the way to victory for the Bills offense on Sunday, finishing the game with two passing touchdowns and throwing for over 200 yards. Allen and the Bills offense were efficient in the red zone, converting on two of their three red zone trips. He took matters into his own hands in the second half, rushing for a touchdown along with a huge 27-yard gain, followed by a touchdown thrown to Dalton Kincaid. 

James Cook franchise record 

Running back James Cook has continued his hot streak of touchdowns, getting into the end zone again in Week 4. Cook finished the game eclipsing the 100-yard mark, carrying the ball 22 times for 117 rushing yards and a touchdown. With the rushing touchdown, Cook has broken the Bills’ franchise record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown, with eight. 

Cole Bishop takeaway 

Bills second-year safety Cole Bishop finally made his mark for Buffalo’s defense, receiving his first interception, which was surprisingly thrown by wide receiver Chris Olave. Bishop’s pick was a huge turning point late in the first half, saving the Bills in scarce territory:

The bad 

Run defense 

The Bills’ lack of run defense has been a problem against almost every opponent they have faced so far this year. Buffalo allowed the Saints to run for 189 yards, a major problem on the defensive side of the ball. According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), the Bills allow 4.7 yards per carry, ranking 27th in the league.  

Penalties 

The Bills were very much penalty prone against New Orleans. They were sloppy, committing 11 penalties which resulted in 55 total yards. The timing of these penalties put the Bills in bad situations when they needed a stop, and the offensive penalties disrupted the momentum and stalled out drives.