The Bills are preparing for their Sunday matchup against the New Orleans Saints at home. The last time they met, Buffalo was on the road for a 2021 Thanksgiving game when quarterback Josh Allen led the team to its first win against New Orleans in series history.
Before practice on Wednesday, head coach Sean McDermott tipped his cap off to the Saints' determination early this season despite results not going their way.
"This last game got away from [head coach Kellen Moore]. Overall, the first two games, it's a one possession game. They've got the ball and a chance to win the game," McDermott said of the Saints. "You're seeing them fight until the end and come back from more than one score down, which is hard to do in this league."
Expect to see that same fight from the Saints this weekend in Orchard Park. Either the Bills will have a 4-0 record for the first time since 2020, or the Saints will start 0-4 for the first time since 2012.
Preparing defense for a hungry New Orleans team
Buffalo's defense isn't where it wants to be yet, specifically on third down. The Bills allowed Miami to convert on 10 of 15 attempts in Week 3. The Bills have also allowed 156 rush yards per game and 6.2 yards per carry.
"We can be better. Not just rushing the pass route but working together to impact the play or affect the quarterback better," McDermott said. "To say it's just the rush or just the coverage … wouldn't be fair."
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler holds a five-game streak with 200-plus pass yards dating back to last season. Against the Seahawks, he was up against the seventh-ranked rush defense and was unable to generate more than one touchdown. Still, Rattler threw for 218 yards and utilized all his offensive tools, whether it was RB Alvin Kamara in the offensive backfield or his variety of wide receivers on the perimeter, to push down the field.
Extending his 200-plus pass yard streak isn't out of arm's reach this Sunday, but he'll face a different challenge. The Saints offense will need to find different yet still efficient ways to communicate in the boisterous environment at Highmark Stadium.
"Let's also be honest, our fans create an environment. That 12th man is real, and we'll need them again this week," McDermott said. "I know our fans are the best in the NFL for a reason."
The Bills defense needs to be prepared too – something McDermott emphasized as part of Sunday's plan. If New Orleans can communicate and still run a no-huddle heavy offense, Buffalo's awareness and reactivity will have to be sharp whether they can hear each other or not.
"Our defense takes a lot of communication … when we're at home, we can't even hear each other," cornerback Taron Johnson said. "You might see safeties running up to the line of scrimmage, talking or talking to the linebackers in the air … everyone has to have a sort of awareness that if the picture changes on offense, it could possibly change on defense as well."
Whatever it takes to win
Allen isn't concerned with making the flashy plays viewers anticipate. Instead, he's concerned with the best route to take to come out on top, even if it doesn't make the highlight reel.
"Any sport, you want to see fireworks, right? You want to see the big plays and the long touchdowns and the guys breaking tackles and the guys jumping over people … I love those plays too," Allen said. "I love making those plays, but ultimately, I love winning football games more."
That same mentality can be expected on Sunday. Allen said it's useful having multiple options on offense, and he'll use any and all ways to pull out a win.
One of his options, running back James Cook, currently leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns with four and is second in rush yards with 284 on 53 carries.
He recorded two touchdowns on the ground against the Jets, one of which went for 44 yards. After jumping over a defender, he escaped the incoming tackle and took it all the way into the end zone to put Buffalo up 20-0 in the second quarter.
Cook's on-field awareness to let blocks develop instead of cutting too early is something the entire offensive line appreciates about the running back.
"It's one thing to be able to see the results of the play and say, 'Oh, well, [Cook] did this, this and this,'" left guard David Edwards said. "Well … if he gets the ball and just cuts it back, the defense reacts accordingly. So, his ability to press blocks [and] put guys on us makes our job so much easier. I think that's why he's so special."
On the receiving side, the chemistry between Allen and tight end Dalton Kincaid continues to grow. Kincaid opened scoring for the Bills' season with a 15-yard receiving touchdown and has since added a second score and an additional 136 yards.
"He does everything the right way. He's following the football … he's doing a good job of catching the ball and scoring," Allen said of Kincaid. "So, we love when we can, you know, rely on somebody that when you throw it up, they're going to come down with it."
Defending their dirt at Highmark Stadium
Week 10 in 2023 was the last time the Bills lost at home in the regular season, falling to Denver. They're hoping to extend that winning streak on Sunday and also get one game closer to finishing their last season at Highmark Stadium with a perfect at-home record.
To get there, McDermott keeps Buffalo focused on the present with a day-by-day, game-to-game mentality. Sunday is no different. The home field environment is only an extra push it has to come out with a win.
"One game at a time," Allen said. "And you know it's the most important one because it's the next one, and we'll figure it out when we get there."
Scroll to see the best photos as the Buffalo Bills prepare for Week 4 of the NFL season at the Buffalo Bills Training Center. This gallery is presented by Kaleida Health.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
David Edwards (76), Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Josh Allen (17), Shane Buechele (6), Joe Brady, Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cameron Johnston (16), Chris Tabor. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Chris Tabor, Matt Prater (15). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (52). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joey Bosa (97), Deone Walker (96). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Barry Rubin. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Phidarian Mathis (72). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ryan Nielsen, Zion Logue (93), Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50), DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cameron Johnston (16). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Hancock (37). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Strong (43). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Strong (43). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Alec Anderson (70), Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dane Jackson (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Hancock (37). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29), Sam Franklin Jr. (28). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joe Danna. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dane Jackson (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tyrell Shavers (14). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cole Bishop (24), Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tre'Davious White (27), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Strong (43), Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Strong (43). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29), Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Adam Henry, Elijah Moore (18), Khalil Shakir (10), Curtis Samuel (1), Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Chris Tabor. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91), T.J. Sanders (98), Jordan Phillips (52). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
David Edwards (76), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Williams (42), Keonta Jenkins (49). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dane Jackson (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joey Bosa (97), Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Prater (15), Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jordan Phillips (52). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Bobby Babich, Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Travis Clayton (67), Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64), David Edwards (76), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jackson Hawes (85), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Spencer Brown (79), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Alec Anderson (70), Milli Wilson. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joey Bosa (97), Jordan Phillips (52), DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Otis Reese IV (40). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Chris Tabor, Matt Prater (15). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Nick Broeker (63). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Deone Walker (96), Nick Broeker (63). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Otis Reese IV (40). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, September 24, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
