Saints claim home win over Browns after failed two-point conversion
A missed pass from Shedeur Sanders in overtime secured a 23-22 victory for New Orleans, ending a scoreless first half with a chaotic finish.
By Julia Wang ·
The New Orleans Saints improved to 3-5 on Sunday by defeating the Cleveland Browns 23-22 in overtime at the Caesars Superdome. The game decided in the final seconds when Cleveland quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw an incomplete pass on a two-point conversion attempt. This result gave the Saints their first home victory of the season.
The first 54 minutes produced no touchdowns for either team. Both offenses struggled in the red zone, leaving the score tied at 3 after the first half. The low scoring reflected a lack of execution near the goal line despite several deep completions.
New Orleans kicker Charlie Smyth, elevated from the practice squad this week, opened the scoring with a 48-yard field goal. Cleveland responded when Sanders threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion Jr. with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter. Concepcion ran past cornerback Martin Emmerson Jr. on the play.
The Saints regained the lead late in the fourth quarter on a 55-yard drive that took only 58 seconds. Running back Audric Estime, claimed off waivers five days prior, scored on a two-yard run to make it 16-13. Chris Olave contributed a 33-yard reception on the drive to move the ball into scoring position.
Cleveland tied the game with a 51-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt. Sanders moved the Browns from their own 33-yard line, aided by a 30-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy. The field goal sent the contest to overtime.
New Orleans took the first possession of the extra period. Quarterback Tyler Shough connected with Juwan Johnson on a 15-yard pass into the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The Saints led 23-22.
Cleveland had one chance to tie the game. Harold Fannin Jr. caught a short pass from Sanders and broke away for a 39-yard touchdown with one minute left. The Browns elected to attempt a two-point conversion for the win. Sanders rolled right under pressure from linebacker Carl Granderson and threw the ball incomplete along the sideline.
Shough finished 21 of 35 for 265 yards and one touchdown. Sanders went 19 of 31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns in his first start of the season. Deshaun Watson sat out the game after spending part of the week in the NFL concussion protocol. The Browns lost their second straight game and have dropped three of their last four. The Saints host the Carolina Panthers next Sunday, while the Browns host the Houston Texans.
