Closer Than 31–19: Saints show fight in Buffalo

Bills 31, Saints 19 — closer than you think

The spine: This was a one-score fight deep into Q4. Trailed by 7 or less until 6:42 of Q3 (Cook TD, 21–10). Olave TD (:14, Q3) made it 21–16. Grupe 35-yarder (8:53, Q4) cut it to 21–19 — a single field goal wins it there. It didn’t tilt for good until 7:07 of Q4 (Allen 27-yd scramble, Kincaid 28-yd TD, 28–19). Late FG at 2:09 set 31–19.

Identity (finally): Under-center/pistol, 189 rush yds on 34 carries (5.6).

Kamara 15-70, Kendre Miller 11-65-1, Rattler 6-49 on keepers.

Cleaner operation: 4 penalties for 41. Leadership accountability showed.

What swung it:

Costliest snap: Philly Special from the 6 (0:30 Q2). Curious-but-defensible call; Bishop’s one-hand INT steals points.

Two-play pivot: Allen’s 27-yd scramble + Kincaid TD at 7:07 Q4.

ST dagger: Roughing the punter with 5:18 left erased a desperately needed possession.

QB note: Rattler (18/27, 126, TD) did what the plan asked, but the theme remains: 1–2 throws a week he wants back (reversed Cooks TD needs to be a tick higher).

Defense in a sentence: 3 sacks (Cam No.124; Granderson; Bresee), 3/10 on 3rd down, but 15 missed tackles and a couple of loud busts (Shakir YAC TD; Kincaid late).

Injuries: Ruiz (multi-game, TBD). Penning in precautionary boot; says he’s fine. Justin Reid rotated; three-safety looks; Sanker establishing himself.

What it means: This looked like Weeks 1–2, not Week 3: Competitive. Now it has to cash.

Next up — Giants (home): Better than their record, rookie Jaxson Dart just got his first win in his first start. Run it again (AK/Miller), keep QB keepers, finish in the high red zone, and fix tackling density. Time to end the skid.

Full film notes, turning point breakdown, and Fix-It list in the article LINK

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