FantasyHQ+

FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 4 · September 28, 2025 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Buffalo Bills: 2025 Week 4 Recap

Bills defeat Saints 31–19 in Week 4

Jonathan Allen led Fantasy Impact as Bills prevailed in a 19–31 Week 4 finish.

New Orleans Saints 19 0–4
Final 19–31
Buffalo Bills 31 4–0 Winner
Winner
Buffalo Bills
Final score
19–31
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 10–14 Buffalo Bills
Top passer
Spencer Rattler
FantasyHQ MVP
Jonathan Allen
Game date
September 28, 2025

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • Kolton Miller
    Kolton Miller 11 CAR · 65 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Brandin Cooks
    Brandin Cooks 3 REC · 22 YDS · 1 TD +1.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Josh Johnson
    Josh Johnson 3 REC · 28 YDS +1.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bills

  • Jonathan Allen
    Jonathan Allen 16/29 · 224 YDS · 3 TD +7.3 Fantasy Impact
  • James Cook III
    James Cook III 23 CAR · 117 YDS · 1 TD +2.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Khalil Shakir
    Khalil Shakir 5 REC · 69 YDS · 1 TD +2.6 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Bills box score View all 2025 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Buffalo Bills
Final score
Buffalo Bills 31–19 New Orleans Saints
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 10–14 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Jonathan Allen
Top passer
Spencer Rattler
Biggest EPA play
(10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2025-09-28

Game summary

The Buffalo Bills beat the New Orleans Saints 31–19 on 2025-09-28. Jonathan Allen posted a game-high +7.27 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
New Orleans Saints7363019
Buffalo Bills140710031

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

NONew Orleans Saints
BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 10:58TD
    Khalil Shakir

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 43
    Score
    0-6

    (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 10:49XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    0-7

    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 6:54TD
    Kolton Miller

    Points+6

    Yard line
    BUF 18
    Score
    6-7

    (6:54) (Shotgun) 5-K.Miller left guard for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 6:46XP
    Blake Grupe

    Points+1

    Yard line
    BUF 15
    Score
    7-7

    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.

  5. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 2:33TD
    James Cook III

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 1
    Score
    7-13

    (2:33) 4-J.Cook left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 2:29XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    7-14

    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 5:36FG
    Blake Grupe

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 36
    Score
    10-14

    (5:36) 19-B.Grupe 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.

  8. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q3 6:48TD
    Jonathan Allen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 5
    Score
    10-20

    (6:48) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q3 6:42XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    10-21

    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 0:17TD
    Chris Olave

    Points+6

    Yard line
    BUF 3
    Score
    16-21

    (:17) 2-S.Rattler pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 8:56FG
    Blake Grupe

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 17
    Score
    19-21

    (8:56) 19-B.Grupe 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.

  12. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 7:12TD
    Dalton Kincaid

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 28
    Score
    19-27

    (7:12) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 86-D.Kincaid for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 7:07XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 20
    Score
    19-28

    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.

  14. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 2:12FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 17
    Score
    19-31

    (2:12) 15-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston. ** Injury Update: BUF-16-C.Johnston has returned to the game.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Jonathan AllenJonathan Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +7.27 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  2. 2Kolton MillerKolton Miller · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.93 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
  3. 3James Cook IIIJames Cook III · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.79 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
  4. 4Khalil ShakirKhalil Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
  5. 5Dalton KincaidDalton Kincaid · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
  6. 6Keon ColemanKeon Coleman · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
  7. 7Josh PalmerJosh Palmer · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.66 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
  8. 8Brandin CooksBrandin Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Jonathan Allen

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jonathan Allen — BUF · Passing

Jonathan Allen posted the highest total EPA (+7.27) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 29 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.

Jonathan Allen's top snap (+3.95 EPA): (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Spencer Rattler led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Spencer RattlerSpencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +7.1% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.27 total EPA
  • Jonathan AllenJonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 29 dropbacks · 55.2% completion · +9.3% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +7.27 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsBuffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play-0.028+0.124
Offensive success rate48.8%47.4%
Pass EPA/play-0.196+0.251
Rush EPA/play+0.037+0.069
Defensive EPA/play-0.124+0.028
Defensive success rate52.6%51.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: -0.03 EPA/play (39th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
  • Buffalo Bills: +0.12 EPA/play (74th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
  • Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +9.43 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -2.22 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Khalil ShakirBuffalo Bills — Khalil Shakir (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q1 10:58)
  • Kolton MillerNew Orleans Saints — Kolton Miller (Q1 6:54)
  • James Cook IIIBuffalo Bills — James Cook III (Q1 2:33)
  • Jonathan AllenBuffalo Bills — Jonathan Allen (Q3 6:48)
  • Chris OlaveNew Orleans Saints — Chris Olave (Spencer Rattler pass) (Q3 0:17)
  • Dalton KincaidBuffalo Bills — Dalton Kincaid (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q4 7:12)

Field goals

  • Blake GrupeNew Orleans Saints — Blake Grupe (Q2 5:36)
  • Blake GrupeNew Orleans Saints — Blake Grupe (Q4 8:56)
  • Matt PraterBuffalo Bills — Matt Prater (Q4 2:12)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 43 (Q1 10:58) — (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 10:49) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 18 (Q1 6:54) — (6:54) (Shotgun) 5-K.Miller left guard for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 6:46) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 2:33) — (2:33) 4-J.Cook left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 2:29) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BUF 36 (Q2 5:36) — (5:36) 19-B.Grupe 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–6. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q3 6:48) — (6:48) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 6:42) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q3 0:17) — (:17) 2-S.Rattler pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BUF 17 (Q4 8:56) — (8:56) 19-B.Grupe 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 28 (Q4 7:12) — (7:12) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 86-D.Kincaid for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 20 (Q4 7:07) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NO 17 (Q4 2:12).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 10:58) — (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +3.95]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 10-K.Shakir to 50 for -1 yards (96-C.Granderson). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -3.53]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 12-C.Olave pass short right intended for 2-S.Rattler INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bishop at BUF 1. 24-C.Bishop pushed ob at BUF 14 for 13 yards (75-T.Fuaga). PENALTY on BUF-42-D.Williams, Ille [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.60]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q3 9:33) — (9:33) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir to NO 36 for 17 yards (1-A.Taylor). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +2.54]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 9:01) — (9:01) (Shotgun) 2-S.Rattler pass deep middle to 10-B.Cooks for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 2-S.Rattler pass inco [WPA -8.2% · EPA -0.47]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 10:58) — (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +3.95]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 12-C.Olave pass short right intended for 2-S.Rattler INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bishop at BUF 1. 24-C.Bishop pushed ob at BUF 14 for 13 yards (75-T.Fuaga). PENALTY on BUF-42-D.Williams, Ille [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.60]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 10-K.Shakir to 50 for -1 yards (96-C.Granderson). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -3.53]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 5:18) — (5:18) 16-C.Johnston punts 45 yards to NO 11, Center-69-R.Ferguson, fair catch by 22-R.Shaheed. BUF-16-C.Johnston was injured during the play. PENALTY on NO-45-N.Sewell, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, [WPA +3.1% · EPA +3.21]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 10:58 · NO 43 · Score 0-6
    (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 10:49 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
  3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 6:54 · BUF 18 · Score 6-7
    (6:54) (Shotgun) 5-K.Miller left guard for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 6:46 · BUF 15 · Score 7-7
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
  5. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 2:33 · NO 1 · Score 7-13
    (2:33) 4-J.Cook left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 2:29 · NO 15 · Score 7-14
    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
  7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 5:36 · BUF 36 · Score 10-14
    (5:36) 19-B.Grupe 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
  8. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 6:48 · NO 5 · Score 10-20
    (6:48) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 6:42 · NO 15 · Score 10-21
    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
  10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 0:17 · BUF 3 · Score 16-21
    (:17) 2-S.Rattler pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 8:56 · BUF 17 · Score 19-21
    (8:56) 19-B.Grupe 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
  12. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 7:12 · NO 28 · Score 19-27
    (7:12) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 86-D.Kincaid for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 7:07 · NO 20 · Score 19-28
    15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
  14. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 2:12 · NO 17 · Score 19-31
    (2:12) 15-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston. ** Injury Update: BUF-16-C.Johnston has returned to the game.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Spencer Rattler (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
  • Jonathan Allen (BUF) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills on 2025-09-28?

The Buffalo Bills beat the New Orleans Saints 31-19 in Week 4, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Buffalo Bills 14; Q2: New Orleans Saints 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Q3: New Orleans Saints 6, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: New Orleans Saints 3, Buffalo Bills 10; Final: New Orleans Saints 19, Buffalo Bills 31.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?

Buffalo Bills touchdown — K. Shakir (J. Allen pass) (Q1 10:58) New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Miller (Q1 6:54) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Cook (Q1 2:33) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q3 6:48) New Orleans Saints touchdown — C. Olave (S. Rattler pass) (Q3 0:17) Buffalo Bills touchdown — D. Kincaid (J. Allen pass) (Q4 7:12) New Orleans Saints field goal — B. Grupe (Q2 5:36, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — B. Grupe (Q4 8:56, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Prater (Q4 2:12, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?

Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints), 52.9% completion, +7.1% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.27 total passing EPA. Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills), 55.2% completion, +9.3% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +7.27 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?

Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.27 total EPA on Passing plays. across 29 snaps. Their top snap (+3.95 EPA): (10:58) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 10-K.Shakir for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 0-3 Now 0-4 L

Buffalo Bills

Entered 3-0 Now 4-0 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

More 2025 game recaps

Week 4 · Sep 29, 2025

New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins

Read full recap →

Week 4 · Sep 29, 2025

Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos

Read full recap →

Week 4 · Sep 28, 2025

Washington Commanders vs Atlanta Falcons

Read full recap →

Week 4 · Sep 28, 2025

Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans

Read full recap →

Week 4 · Sep 28, 2025

Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Read full recap →

Week 4 · Sep 28, 2025

Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Read full recap →