NFL game summary for 11/04/1973:
New Orleans scored the first shutout in its seven years in the NFL after holding Washington to a field goal the previous week. O. J. Simpson left the game in the fourth quarter after 20 carries for 79 yards, boosting his season total to 1,104 yards. Archie Manning completed 16 of 33 and Billy Newsome and Jim Merlo led the Saints' aggressive defense.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 217.9 (1) | 66.4 (26) | 284.3 (15) | 18 |
| DEFENSE | 136.1 (9) | 145.3 (17) | 281.4 (15) | 20 | |
 | OFFENSE | 140.9 (15) | 98.4 (22) | 239.3 (23) | 18 |
| DEFENSE | 160.3 (22) | 183.3 (23) | 343.6 (23) | 16 |
Line: Even
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills (5-3-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints (4-4-0) | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
( 0- 3) NO Bill McClard 42 yard field goal ( 0-10) NO Bob Newland 9 yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick) ( 0-13) NO Bill McClard 24 yard field goal
BUF NO
First Downs: 10 19
Rushes-yards: 31-124 34-115
Yards/rush: 4.0 3.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 9-19-87-0 16-33-188-0
Sacked-yards: 3-21 4-22
Net pass yards: 66 166
Net yards/pass: 3.0 4.5
Total net yards: 190 281
Total plays: 53 (58% run) 71 (47% run)
Yards/play: 3.6 4.0
Fumbles-lost: 4-1 1-0
Turnovers: 1 0
Penalties-yards: 4-49 3-28
Attendance: 74,770
Passing:
BUF: Joe Ferguson, 9 of 19 for 87 yards NO: Archie Manning, 16 of 33 for 188 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
BUF: O.J. Simpson, 20 for 79 yards; Larry Watkins, 8 for 22 yards; Joe Ferguson, 3 for 23 yards NO: Jess Phillips, 18 for 52 yards; Joe Profit, 6 for 21 yards; Bill Butler, 5 for 19 yards; Archie Manning, 4 for 23 yards; Howard Stevens, 1 for 0 yards
Receiving:
BUF: Larry Watkins, 4 for 24 yards; J.D. Hill, 3 for 40 yards; Bob Chandler, 2 for 23 yards NO: John Beasley, 6 for 47 yards; Bob Newland, 3 for 44 yards and 1 TD; Doug Winslow, 3 for 33 yards; Joe Profit, 2 for 33 yards; Jess Phillips, 1 for 20 yards; Jubilee Dunbar, 1 for 11 yards
Kick returns:
BUF: Steve Jones, 1 for 21 yards
Punt returns:
BUF: Donnie Walker, 2 for 9 yards NO: Howard Stevens, 4 for 34 yards
Interceptions:
Punting:
BUF: Spike Jones, 8 for 377 yards NO: Steve O'Neal, 6 for 244 yards
Field Goals:
NO: Bill McClard, 2/4
BUF: Joe Ferguson, 9 of 19 for 87 yards NO: Archie Manning, 16 of 33 for 188 yards and 1 TD
Rushing:
BUF: O.J. Simpson, 20 for 79 yards; Larry Watkins, 8 for 22 yards; Joe Ferguson, 3 for 23 yards NO: Jess Phillips, 18 for 52 yards; Joe Profit, 6 for 21 yards; Bill Butler, 5 for 19 yards; Archie Manning, 4 for 23 yards; Howard Stevens, 1 for 0 yards
Receiving:
BUF: Larry Watkins, 4 for 24 yards; J.D. Hill, 3 for 40 yards; Bob Chandler, 2 for 23 yards NO: John Beasley, 6 for 47 yards; Bob Newland, 3 for 44 yards and 1 TD; Doug Winslow, 3 for 33 yards; Joe Profit, 2 for 33 yards; Jess Phillips, 1 for 20 yards; Jubilee Dunbar, 1 for 11 yards
Kick returns:
BUF: Steve Jones, 1 for 21 yards
Punt returns:
BUF: Donnie Walker, 2 for 9 yards NO: Howard Stevens, 4 for 34 yards
Interceptions:
Punting:
BUF: Spike Jones, 8 for 377 yards NO: Steve O'Neal, 6 for 244 yards
Field Goals:
NO: Bill McClard, 2/4