Audric Estime makes an instant impact after the Browns cut him, helping the New Orleans Saints win a 23-22 overtime thriller on Sunday. Claimed off waivers on Nov. 2, he tallied 72 yards on 15 carries and scored the decisive fourth‑quarter touchdown. Post‑game, Estime said returning to New Orleans was his top priority and expressed relief and joy at being back. The former fifth‑round pick from Notre Dame, who has bounced through Denver, Minnesota and Cleveland, now aims to cement his role in the Saints’ backfield.
The Carolina Panthers fall to 3-5 on Sunday yet remain atop the NFC South thanks to a 1-1 division record and favorable tiebreakers. With the Buccaneers, Falcons and Saints all losing, Carolina holds the sole first‑place spot despite being two games below .500. The standings show the Panthers tied with New Orleans at 3-5, while the 49ers lead the conference at 7-1. A showdown for the division crown looms next week as Carolina and the Saints could clash for top seed.
In Week 9, Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders throws for 297 yards and a 39‑yard overtime TD, but a missed two‑point conversion leaves Cleveland down 23‑22 to the New Orleans Saints. After the loss, Sanders calls a reporter’s question about earning the starter role a “setup,” defending his focus on teamwork and learning from veterans like Deshaun Watson. He also clarifies a prior comment about the Saints’ defense was taken out of context, saying he never disrespects opponents. The article follows his post‑game press conference, his effort to rebuild his media image after a 2025 draft slide, and the uncertainty over whether he will start next week.
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monda Monken backs his bold decision to attempt a two‑point conversion in overtime after Shedeur Sanders’ TD gave the Browns a 23‑22 lead against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 8, 2026. Monken said he didn’t want to give New Orleans a chance with two timeouts, preferring a win‑or‑lose moment over a tie. The gamble failed, and the Browns fell 23‑22, dropping to 5‑4 after a 5‑2 start. The article highlights Monken’s aggressive style—five fourth‑quarter comebacks this season—and the team’s NFL‑leading 40 sacks allowed through nine games, with Week 10 against the Houston Texans looming.
In his first start of the 2026 season, Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders battles through a 23-22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Thrust into action after Deshaun Watson’s concussion, Sanders endures five sacks, leads a fourth‑quarter rally and answers the Saints’ overtime TD, but Cleveland’s two‑point try fails. Post‑game, Sanders credits the coaching staff, his quarterback peers and the organization for preparing him, emphasizing the team effort amid the pressure. The loss drops Cleveland to a tough week 10 showdown with Houston.
After a 23‑22 OT loss to the New Orleans Saints, backup QB Shedeur Sanders sparked a debate about the Cleveland Browns' future at quarterback. Sanders threw for 297 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 114.6 passer rating, delivering the clutch throw that forced overtime, while starter Deshaun Watson has struggled all season and carries a controversial $200 million contract. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher urged Cleveland to make Sanders the full‑time starter, emphasizing his resilience and playmaking. The article weighs Sanders' on‑field performance against Watson’s off‑field baggage and contract load, suggesting the decision could shape the Browns' playoff chances and offseason strategy.
In Week 9, Cleveland’s rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made a cheeky comment about the New Orleans Saints defense before his first start, prompting defensive end Carl Granderson to call the remarks “disrespectful.” The Saints responded by sacking Sanders five times and limiting the Browns to 95 rushing yards, ultimately winning 23‑22 in overtime after a failed two‑point conversion. Sanders threw for 297 yards and two TDs, including a 39‑yard overtime strike, but the defense’s dominance sealed the victory. Saints head coach Kellen Moore even referenced the comments in a pre‑game meeting, underscoring the tension surrounding the showdown.
The latest NFC roundup notes fines for Buccaneers DT A’Shawn Robinson ($17,500) and Falcons WR Drake London ($12,537). Panthers head coach Dave Canales praises TE Ja’Tavion Sanders’ work ethic and outlines a shift toward a more aggressive, run‑focused strategy after firing DC Ejiro Evero and promoting Todd Wash as interim coordinator. He also stresses improving both run offense and run defense. Saints DL Carl Granderson rebukes criticism from QB Shedeur Sanders, while Saints HC Kellen Moore announces further testing for C Erik McCoy’s injury.
The latest AFC roundup highlights disciplinary and roster moves across the division. Cincinnati fines safety Russ Yeast $6,361 for unnecessary roughness, while Cleveland’s Todd Monken says QB Shedeur Sanders isn’t a starter yet after a one‑point OT loss to the Saints; the Browns also announce WR KC Concepcion’s ankle issue and issue fines to CB Tyson Campbell ($23,882), DE Sam Williams ($6,361) and RB Quinshon Judkins ($11,941). Baltimore converts DT Nnamdi Madubuike’s remaining base salary into a signing bonus, freeing $8.66 million for the Jacoby Brissett trade, and LB Roquan Smith receives a $17,911 fine. Pittsburgh fines safety Jaquan Brisker $17,911 for a quarterback hit.
Buffalo Rumblings opens a Week 9 NFL discussion, highlighting the international kickoff in Madrid where the Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons at the Santiago Bernabéu. The post lists all Sunday games: Jets vs. Chiefs (1 p.m. EST), Dolphins‑Lions, Broncos‑Panthers, Browns‑Saints, Rams‑Commanders, Colts‑Cowboys, Texans‑Chargers (4:05 p.m.), Raiders‑49ers, Cardinals‑Seahawks, Patriots‑Packers (4:25 p.m.), plus Thursday night primetime Bills‑Vikings. Fans are invited to chat the action and cheer the Bills.
Despite a 1‑point Week 9 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns remain unchanged in the AFC playoff picture, sitting third in the AFC North (5‑4) and holding the eighth seed in the conference. The Steelers and Bengals stay ahead with 6‑2 records, while the Browns’ playoff hopes now hinge on tiebreakers, matching the New England Patriots at 5‑4 but trailing on conference wins. Quarterback drama looms as Deshaun Watson’s role is debated after Shedeur Sanders’ popularity, but the team’s position in the playoff race stays the same for now.
The New Orleans Saints beat Cleveland 23-22 in overtime on Juwan Johnson's TD catch, sealing a victory after the Browns failed a two-point conversion.
New Orleans Saints rally to a 23-22 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 8, 2026, snapping a 3‑5 streak and tying for first in the NFC West. After Browns QB Shedeur Sanders joked about a "knowing smile" before the game, Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson called it disrespect and the defense responded with five sacks. Audric Estime paced the ground game with 72 yards and a TD, while Tyler Shough sealed the victory with a 15‑yard two‑point conversion pass to Juwan Johnson. Sanders' late 39‑yard TD to Harold Fannin fell short as the Saints' defense held firm when it mattered most.
Shedeur Sanders' first start of the 2026 season ended with an overtime loss, but the Cleveland Browns' second-year quarterback still put together a tremendous showing against the New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints edged the Cleveland Browns 23–22 in Week 9 on November 8, 2026. Saints outgained the Browns, 392 total yards to 345.
The Browns fell 24‑23 to the New Orleans Saints, dropping to 5‑4 on the season and extending their road losing streak to four games. Despite the loss, rookie playmakers shone: Denzel Boston posted a team‑high 98 receiving yards, including a 60‑yard catch that fell just short of a touchdown; KC Concepcion hauled in 85 yards and a 64‑yard TD on an underthrown pass; and Harold Fannin Jr. turned two targets into a 39‑yard overtime TD after a 154‑yard performance the week before. Boston, Concepcion and Fannin now lead the team in receptions and rank among the NFL’s top rookie receivers, offering optimism for 2027.
The Browns' 5‑4 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 8, 2026 highlights both bright spots and glaring mistakes. Backup QB Shedeur Sanders finally clicks, posting 297 yards, two TDs, a 114.6 rating and a crucial 60‑yard strike to rookie WR Denzel Boston, who finishes with 98 yards on six catches. Kicker Andre Szmyt scores 10 of Cleveland’s 22 points, including a game‑tying 51‑yard field goal. Defensive stand‑out LB Carson Schwesinger racks up 15 tackles, two sacks and a key stop at the one‑yard line. Conversely, the team’s discipline falters with costly penalties, and the offense stalls enough to “turn down four points” and fall into a two‑game skid. The recap breaks down winners (Schwesinger, Szmyt, Boston, Sanders, CB Myles Harden, punter Corey Bojorquez) and losers, offering a clear picture of what went right and wrong.
Browns head coach Todd Monken praises backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ 297-yard, two‑touchdown debut in a 23‑22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, but refuses to discuss any immediate changes to the QB hierarchy now that Deshaun Watson is injured. Monken, in his first season, emphasizes focusing on the game rather than roster moves. The defeat featured a field‑goal‑heavy battle, a missed two‑point conversion by Sanders, and key contributions from Quinshon Judkins, Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion. Cleveland now aims to rebound at home against the Houston Texans on Nov. 15.
The Cleveland Browns made a change at quarterback for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints out of necessity, as Deshaun Watson was sidelined after he spent time in the concussion protocol during the week.
Shedeur Sanders performed well in the Cleveland Browns 23-22 OT loss to the New Orleans Saints. Did he do enough to unseat Deshaun Watson?
Following the Browns' overtime defeat to the Saints, their AFC North hopes dim as they sit 4-5, while the Ravens (4-5) also trail without Lamar Jackson for most of the season. The division now essentially boils down to a two‑horse race between the Steelers and Bengals, both sitting at 6-2 and set to face each other next week—a matchup that could decide the conference leader as the playoffs approach.
Week 9 delivered a clutch showcase of resilience across the NFL. Patrick Mahomes shrugged off a hard hit to the throwing arm and finished 23‑of‑31 for 242 yards and two TDs as the Chiefs beat the Jets 35‑12. Shedeur Sanders recorded his first NFL touchdown in an overtime thriller, but the Browns fell short 23‑16 after a failed two‑point try. Denver rallied late, with Bo Nix engineering an 80‑yard drive capped by touchdowns to Jonah Coleman and Pat Bryant to beat the Broncos 26‑14. The Cowboys escaped a late comeback with a 27‑23 win over the Colts, sealing the game with rookie Caleb Downs’ interception. The Giants upset the Eagles 19‑11, while the Saints edged the Browns 23‑22 in OT.
The New Orleans Saints squeak out a 23-22 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 9, keeping them tied for first in the NFC South at 3-5. After Saints quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 265 yards and a TD, the Browns’ Harold Fannin broke two tackles to reach the end zone, but a missed two‑point conversion handed New Orleans the victory. Audric Estime contributed 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. The win puts the Saints atop the division for now, though a Buccaneers win in Chicago could shift the lead. The Saints now face the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.
Cleveland put it all on a two-point conversion attempt and it did not work.
The New Orleans Saints edge the Cleveland Browns 23‑16 in overtime, improving to 3‑5 and tying for the NFC South lead. Kicker Charlie Smyth nailed three field goals (30, 27, and 48 yards) before RB Audric Estime, in his first game back, scored a 2‑yard rushing TD with under a minute left. QB Tyler Shough clinched the win with a 15‑yard TD pass to TE Juwan Johnson in OT. Shough finished 21‑35 for 265 yards; Olave recorded 98 receiving yards. A win over the Panthers next week could crown New Orleans NFC South champions.