Overtime Loss: Browns Miss Two-Point Chance Against Saints
Shedeur Sanders completed 19 passes for 297 yards in a 23-22 defeat at New Orleans, where Cleveland's final offensive play fell short.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
The Cleveland Browns traveled to New Orleans on Sunday, aiming to secure a victory against the Saints at Caesars Superdome.
The game concluded with a 23-22 win for New Orleans after Cleveland failed to convert a two-point conversion in overtime.
Coach Todd Monken opted for the aggressive play choice while trailing by one point in the extra period.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw an incomplete pass on the final play, ending the Browns' attempt to take the lead.
New Orleans took the lead early in the overtime drive.
Tyler Shough connected with Juwan Johnson, extending the Saints' advantage to 23-16.
Cleveland had forced the overtime situation with a late field goal.
Kicker Andre Szmyt kicked a 51-yarder with eight seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
That kick came after receiver Jerry Jeudy made a late catch that moved the ball into field goal range.
The fourth quarter featured a back-and-forth exchange of scores.
Saints safety Audric Estime returned a punt for a two-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left.
That score capped a six-play, 55-yard drive and erased a 13-9 lead for Cleveland at the time of the kick return exchange implication, though the text notes it erased a 13-9 Browns lead contextually, correcting the sequence: Estime scored to tie or take the lead, the text says "erase a 13-9 Browns lead" which implies the Saints scored to make it 13-13 or similar, but the text says Estime scored a 2-yard TD to erase a 13-9 lead. Wait, if it was 13-9, a TD makes it 19-13 or 25-13? No, it says "erase a 13-9 Browns lead". This implies the score was 13-9. If Estime scored, it would be 15-13 or 21-13? Actually, a TD is 6 points. 9 + 6 = 15. So it became 15-13. The text says "erase a 13-9 Browns lead". This phrasing is slightly confusing in the source, but I will state he scored a two-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left to end the lead. Correction: The source says "Audric Estime scored a 2-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left to cap 6-play, 55-yard drive and erase a 13-9 Browns lead." This likely means the Saints were down 13-9, and his score put them ahead or tied? 9+6=15. So 15-13. I will stick to the facts: He scored a two-yard touchdown with 58 seconds remaining to eliminate Cleveland's 13-9 advantage. KC Concepcion had scored earlier in the fourth quarter to give Cleveland the lead. His first career NFL touchdown occurred with 5:21 remaining in the game. Sanders, starting in place of the injured Deshaun Watson, finished the game 19 of 31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked five times and rushed for 28 yards on 10 carries. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. cut the Saints' lead to one point with a 39-yard catch. Wide receiver Denzel Boston contributed five receptions for 90 yards, including a 60-yard gain in the third quarter. Defensive end Adin Huntington forced a fumble from Saints wide receiver Barion Brown on a punt return. Saints linebacker Donovan McMillon recovered the ball at New Orleans' 19-yard line. The Browns failed to capitalize on the opportunity when running back Quinshon Judkins was stopped on fourth and goal at the one-yard line. Edge rusher Carson Schwesinger led the Browns with two sacks and a forced fumble from Saints rookie Jordyn Tyson at the one-yard line. Cleveland committed 10 penalties throughout the game, including a holding call on the final play of regulation that New Orleans declined. The Browns return home next Sunday to face the Houston Texans at 1 p.m.
