The Bills ruin Thanksgiving in New Orleans, defeating the Saints 31-6
New Orleans Saints #15 Trevor Siemian (QB) throwing a pass downfield to an open receiver. Photo by Trent Spann.
NEW ORLEANS, LA- The Buffalo Bills (7-4) came to Caesars Superdome and ruined Thanksgiving for the New Orleans Saints (5-6) by defeating them 31-6.
Tonight the Saints were missing both running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II, tackle Ryan Ramcyzk and, defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Tanoh Kpassagnon, and the obvious season-ending injuries of quarterback Jamies Winston and wide receiver Michael Thomas.
The Bills' opening drive would result in them striking first after driving 65 yards in ten plays as quarterback Josh Allen completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox as they took a 7-0 lead.
The Saints’ offensive drive would end after the Bills’ sacked Saints quarterback Trevor Siemian ended their six-play drive on the New Orleans 41-yard line followed by a 42-yard punt by Blake Gillikin.
The Bills would win the time of possession battle ending the first quarter by having the ball for 9:15 compared to the Saints' 5:45.
The Saints’first drive of the second quarter ended with the Bills forcing the Saints to turn the ball over on downs on and fourth and two from the Buffalo’s 41-yard line.
The Bills with good starting field position, the Saints' defense would bend but not break forcing a fourth and six from the New Orleans’16-yard line. Tyler Bass ended the drive by kicking a 34-yard field goal, and the Bills now led 10-0.
New Orleans Saints #88 Ty Montgomery (WR) pursued by Buffalo Bills defenders. Photo by Trent Spann.
The Saints on their next drive converted a fourth and one to keep their drive going. Unfortunately, the drive would stall after going seven plays and the Saints punted it away.
The Saints’ defense would gain some momentum after the Bills quarterback Allen’s pass was intercepted by the Saints cornerback Bradley Roby with 3:13 remaining in the second quarter.
On the following drive, the Saints attempted a fake punt pass on fourth down, but could not convert turning the ball over on downs with the Bills regaining possession on their own 49-yard line with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter.
The Saints’ defense would make another big play intercepting Allen’s pass in the red zone to end the first half with Buffalo leading, 10-0.
The Bills would get the football to start the second half, and drove seventy-five yards in 11 plays resulting in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Stefon Diggs extending their lead to 17-0.
Buffalo Bills #88 Dawson Knox (TE) scored two touchdowns against the New Orleans defense. Photo by Trent Spann.
On the Bills’ next drive, they converted a fourth and two from the Saints’ 24-yard line, which resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Knox for his second touchdown catch of the game as they led 24-0.
The Saints would finally put points on the board as they score on the first play of the fourth quarter with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to Nick Vannett after driving 75 yards in ten plays. After a failed two-point conversion, the Saints trailed 24-6.
After a punt by both teams, the Bills received the ball with good field position on their 49-yard line. Their drive ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Matt Breida taking a 31-6 lead with 8:25 remaining in the game.
The Saints could never get anything going on offense and this would result in their second loss at home this season. The Saints (5-6) will host the Dallas Cowboys (7-4) next Thursday, December 2nd, Week 13 at 7:20 PM CST.