Game story
In Week 12 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-11-25, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 31–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +14.31 total EPA, and +15.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-10.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (3:19) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Roby at NO 47. 21-B.Roby to NO 49 for 2 yards (14-S.Diggs).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +14.31 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 2 D. Knox · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.91 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
- 3 M. Breida · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.67 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.83 EPA/play
- 4 C. Beasley · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 5 E. Sanders · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 6 N. Vannett · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.44 EPA/play
- 7 T. Siemian · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.21 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 8 L. Humphrey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Allen — BUF · Passing
J. Allen posted the highest total EPA (+14.31) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.38 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.04 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass deep right intended for 11-D.Harris INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Poyer at BUF 38. 21-J.Poyer to NO 44 for 18 yards (10-T.Smith).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — D. Knox (J. Allen pass)
- Buffalo Bills — S. Diggs (J. Allen pass)
- Buffalo Bills — D. Knox (J. Allen pass)
- New Orleans Saints — N. Vannett (T. Siemian pass)
- Buffalo Bills — M. Breida (J. Allen pass)
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — T. Bass
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 52:15) — (7:15) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 88-D.Knox for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -1, YAC 8; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 52:09) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q2 38:50) — (8:50) 2-T.Bass 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..
The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q3 23:54) — (8:54) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 1; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 23:48) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 24 (Q3 19:28) — (4:28) 71-R.Bates reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short right to 88-D.Knox for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 14; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 19:19) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 11 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short right to 81-N.Vannett for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 11, YAC 0; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 23 (Q4 8:25) — (8:25) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 22-M.Breida for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -2, YAC 25; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 8:17) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 33:19) — (3:19) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Roby at NO 47. 21-B.Roby to NO 49 for 2 yards (14-S.Diggs).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 30:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left intended for 13-G.Davis INTERCEPTED by 5-K.Alexander (94-C.Jordan) at NO 10. 5-K.Alexander to NO 10 for no gain (1-E.Sanders).
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 28:51) — (13:51) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end to BUF 38 for 10 yards (21-B.Roby).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 49:10) — (4:10) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian sacked at NO 41 for -9 yards (97-M.Addison).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 41:37) — (11:37) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 13-G.Davis ran ob at NO 20 for 26 yards (21-B.Roby). Pass 14, YAC 12
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass deep right intended for 11-D.Harris INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Poyer at BUF 38. 21-J.Poyer to NO 44 for 18 yards (10-T.Smith).
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 19:28) — (4:28) 71-R.Bates reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short right to 88-D.Knox for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 14
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 33:19) — (3:19) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Roby at NO 47. 21-B.Roby to NO 49 for 2 yards (14-S.Diggs).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 30:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left intended for 13-G.Davis INTERCEPTED by 5-K.Alexander (94-C.Jordan) at NO 10. 5-K.Alexander to NO 10 for no gain (1-E.Sanders).
Quarterback report card
J.Allen led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +15.6% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +14.31 total EPA
- T.Siemian (New Orleans Saints) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · -8.7% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -6.43 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Buffalo Bills | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.081 | -0.367 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.3% | 22.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.377 | -0.259 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.216 | -0.462 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.367 | -0.081 |
| Defensive success rate | 77.8% | 48.7% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs -0.37), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +6.34 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -26.42 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Allen (BUF) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- T. Siemian (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 52:15 · NO 7 · Score 6-0
(7:15) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 88-D.Knox for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -1, YAC 8 - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 52:09 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 38:50 · NO 16 · Score 10-0
(8:50) 2-T.Bass 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 23:54 · NO 5 · Score 16-0
(8:54) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 1 - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 23:48 · NO 15 · Score 17-0
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 19:28 · NO 24 · Score 23-0
(4:28) 71-R.Bates reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short right to 88-D.Knox for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 14 - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 19:19 · NO 15 · Score 24-0
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · BUF 11 · Score 24-6
(15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short right to 81-N.Vannett for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 11, YAC 0 - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 8:25 · NO 23 · Score 30-6
(8:25) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 22-M.Breida for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -2, YAC 25 - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 8:17 · NO 15 · Score 31-6
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
The Buffalo Bills beat the New Orleans Saints 31-6 in Week 12, 2021 on 2021-11-25.
What was the final score of Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Buffalo Bills 31, New Orleans Saints 6 (BUF 31-6 NO) in Week 12, 2021 on 2021-11-25.
What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Buffalo Bills 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Buffalo Bills 3, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Buffalo Bills 14, New Orleans Saints 0; Q4: Buffalo Bills 7, New Orleans Saints 6; Final: Buffalo Bills 31, New Orleans Saints 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — D. Knox (J. Allen pass) (Q1 52:15) Buffalo Bills touchdown — S. Diggs (J. Allen pass) (Q3 23:54) Buffalo Bills touchdown — D. Knox (J. Allen pass) (Q3 19:28) New Orleans Saints touchdown — N. Vannett (T. Siemian pass) (Q4 15:00) Buffalo Bills touchdown — M. Breida (J. Allen pass) (Q4 8:25) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q2 38:50, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
J. Allen (Buffalo Bills), 60.5% completion, +15.6% CPOE, +0.38 EPA per dropback, +14.31 total passing EPA. T. Siemian (New Orleans Saints), 51.5% completion, -8.7% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -6.43 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Buffalo Bills vs New Orleans Saints?
J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +14.31 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.04 EPA): (7:08) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass deep right intended for 11-D.Harris INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Poyer at BUF 38. 21-J.Poyer to NO 44 for 18 yards (10-T.Smith).. The biggest win-probability swing was -10.3%.
Season records after this game
Buffalo Bills
Entered 6-4 Now 7-4 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 5-5 Now 5-6 L
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