Saints march all over Bills

The New Orleans Saints played their first "home game" since the devastating hurricane Katrina ripped apart the Super Dome and the city. Their home away from home was San Antonio and they treated their misplaced fans when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 19-7.

The Buffalo Bills started off this one with a lot of promise, but then it turned sour. JP Losman and Willis McGahee looked impressive in driving the Bills down the field for an 10-play, 75 yard touchdown on their opening possession. After that, it was down the tubes for the Bills.

"It kind of gives you the sense we should have been doing that more and more," said Bills coach Mike Mularkey. "After the first drive we really couldn't put anything together."

The Bills couldn't stop Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks in the air or when he ran. Brooks scrambled 7 times for 33 yards and scored on a 9-yard run.

Deuce McAllister romped for 130 yards and ate up a lot of the clock in the last 4 minutes of the game by running for 3 consecutive first downs, setting up a field goal.

For the second time this season, JP Losman was replaced by backup Kelly Holcomb. For the second time, Holcomb was even worse than Losman.

Mularkey says he's going right back with Losman next week to start.

"J.P.'s the starter, and I'm going with J.P.," insisted Mularkey. "I think everyone understands that."

"I'm not happy," admitted Losman. "You're never happy when you're pulled. I'm trying not to take it personally ... but it's tough."

Losman only completed 7-of-15 passing for 75 yards with one pick and Holcomb went 3 of 6 for only 28 yards. Losman was sacked 3 times and Holcomb once.

It was the Bills third consecutive loss after winning their opener against Houston.

The Saints, meanwhile, were basking in the new home environment.

"From the time we stepped out of the locker room going out there to warm up, they really were into it," Aaron Brooks. Brooks scored the lone Saints' TD in the victory.

"They were excited about us being here and they embraced us," Brooks went on. "We thank them for it."

Former Bills linebacker and now Saints head coach Jim Haslett also enjoyed the home atmosphere.

"It was a mix of New Orleans people and San Antonio people," Haslett said. "I think you saw the result. It helped our football team."

Copyright © 2005 Bills Thunder & Rick Anderson, all rights reserved.