The Browns fell to the Saints in Week 9 amid a litany of coaching blunders and sloppy defense. Head coach Todd Monken’s puzzling end‑game choices—including a failed two‑point try—dominate the post‑game chatter, while poor tackling by players like Ronnie Hickby allowed the Saints to extend drives. Cleveland racked up 10 penalties for 58 yards versus New Orleans’ four for 25, and managed just 19 total yards (8 rushing, 11 passing) in the first quarter. Despite a few bright spots—a sack by Mike Hall and a forced fumble by Adin Huntington—the offense sputtered with 80 total yards, 2.9 yards per carry, and missed fourth‑down conversions. The loss highlights the Browns’ need to tighten defense, cut penalties, and revive their ground game.
Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns came up short in overtime against Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints.
Shedeur Sanders sparked a comeback for the Browns, connecting with KC Concepcion for a 13‑9 lead before a 51‑yard field goal by Andre Szmyt forces overtime against the New Orleans Saints. In OT, New Orleans scores, and Cleveland opts for a two‑point conversion rather than tying, falling 23‑22. The loss drops the Browns to 5‑4, with Deshaun Watson set to return next week. The recap details early turnovers, missed field goals, and key defensive lapses that shaped the nail‑biter.
Head coach Todd Monken’s unexpected on‑air remark about quarterback Shedeur Sanders asking for plays not in the Browns’ playbook has sparked debate. With Cleveland trailing the New Orleans Saints and boasting just 25 passing yards at halftime, the comment—caught on a broadcast and described as a laugh‑filled confession—raised eyebrows. Sanders later delivered a 64‑yard TD catch‑and‑run to rookie WR KC Concepion, giving the Browns a 13‑9 lead, but they ultimately lost in overtime after a failed two‑point conversion. The incident spotlights ongoing frustration within a franchise eager to move past past failures.
Trade deadline chatter heats up across the NFC South. The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reports the Buccaneers could fetch a first‑round pick for DT Vita Vea, though no offers are likely yet. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Falcons aren’t buying, but might flip LB Christian Harris or CB Mike Hughes. In Carolina, DT Bobby Brown III emerges as a trade target, while DT Derrick Brown remains expensive and unlikely to move. Panthers’ recent Week 9 loss to Denver may prompt veteran deals, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. The Saints have DTs Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd and LB Pete Werner on the market, with potential cheap veteran moves hinted by Jones.
After Week 9, the AFC North splits dramatically: the Bengals surge with a decisive victory, while the Ravens stumble after a loss, and the Browns also fall to the Saints. Pittsburgh sits idle on its bye, leaving the division leaderboard shifting as Cincinnati climbs and Baltimore slides. The latest results set up a tense race heading into the final stretch of the season.
After a bye week, the New Orleans Saints snap a loss with an overtime win over the 5-4 Browns, tying the Buccaneers for the NFC lead. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s victory over the Panthers—who collapsed against Denver—propels the Bucs into sole first place. Both teams now share the top spot in the win‑loss column as the NFC race heats up.
Rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion records his first NFL touchdown in a dramatic 64‑yard reception against the New Orleans Saints. The 24‑overall pick from Texas A&M entered the game with 33 catches for 352 yards, ranking third in Browns receiving yards, but had no scores until Shedeur Sanders connected on a fourth‑quarter pass that put Cleveland ahead 13‑9. The Browns improve to 5‑3 after the win, while Concepcion aims to add more touchdowns as he cements his role in Todd Monken’s offense.
In a low‑scoring showdown against the New Orleans Saints, Browns rookie wideout KC Concepcion briefly exits the November 8 game with a non‑contact injury, limping to the medical tent after three catches for 21 yards. He returns moments later, connects with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and rockets 64 yards for a touchdown that puts Cleveland ahead late in the fourth quarter. The article notes both teams’ offensive struggles and the pivotal nature of the play as the game heads toward a final‑possession finish.
A concussion to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson forces rookie Shedeur Sanders into the starter role against the New Orleans Saints. The game stays dead‑locked at 6‑6 late in the third quarter when rookie wideout KC Concepcion is helped off the field with a suspected non‑contact leg injury—possible hamstring—after a sack on Sanders. He returns briefly after a brief halt, but the impact on Cleveland’s offense remains uncertain.
Shedeur Sanders needs to work on his stock answers.
Pilar Sanders fires back at doubters as her son Shedeur makes his first start of the 2026 season for the Cleveland Browns. With Deshaun Watson sidelined by concussion protocol for Week 9, coach Todd Monken gives Shedeur the nod despite only three passes this year. Pilar posts a simple "QB1" on Instagram, sparking buzz while reminding fans of his rookie stats: 7 starts, 1,400 yards, 7 TDs and 10 interceptions. Watson is cleared but remains inactive, so Shedeur’s lone start hinges on Watson’s health.
The New Orleans Saints fall to No. 28 in the NFL Week 9 power rankings, slipping further during their bye week after posting a 2‑5 record through seven games. Coach Kellen Moore faces pressure to revamp an anemic offense, with quarterback Tyler Shough highlighted as a key factor in any turnaround. The article notes the Saints' struggle to sustain drives and score points, emphasizing the urgency to improve before the second half of the season. With limited room for error, the rankings underscore New Orleans' position as the league’s lowest‑ranked team after Week 8.
Ahead of his first season start, Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders fires back at the media, calling their coverage a "trick" after the New Orleans Saints cite his pre‑game comments as motivation. Sanders, stepping in for the concussed Deshaun Watson in Week 9, said everything he says is taken out of context and dismissed the Saints’ focus on his remarks about their defense. The 24‑year‑old enters the game with 1,402 career passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 57.2% completion rate, marking his 11th NFL appearance.
The New Orleans Saints (2‑5) host the Cleveland Browns (5‑3) at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, with kickoff at noon CST. Cleveland will feature quarterback Shedeur Sanders in his first start, aiming to rebound from a loss to Pittsburgh, while the Saints return from a bye looking to spark a late‑season surge and keep postseason hopes alive. The game airs on CBS (Catalon, Ryan, Ross) and streams on YouTube TV, with radio coverage on WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM. Both teams eye a crucial win to shape their playoff narratives.
Week 9 is a big one for the Cleveland Browns.
With the Titans on a bye in Week 9, fans shift their focus to the draft lottery. Tennessee sits at No. 2 for the 2027 NFL Draft, but a win by 0‑7 Los Angeles Chargers over Houston could vault the Titans to the top slot. The only other one‑win team, Miami, faces Detroit, and a Dolphins upset would also affect the order. Several two‑win clubs—including Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans and Washington—are also on the watch list, though the Texans are excluded. A tie by the Commanders would drop them behind Tennessee, while the Bears are a team to root against as the Titans own the 28th first‑round pick via the Jeffery Simmons trade.
The Cleveland Browns visit the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. ET, airing on CBS and streamable for free on Fubo. The Browns (5‑3) start Shedeur Sanders after Deshaun Watson’s concussion, while the 2‑5 Saints, led by QB Tyler Shough (1,721 yards, 13 TDs) and WR Chris Olave (636 yards), aim to climb out of the NFC South’s bottom despite allowing 28 points per game. The game is a key Week 9 playoff‑push showdown.
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker/defensive end Phil Vandersea, a member of Vince Lombardi’s Super Bowl I champion team, dies at 83 on Oct. 24, 2026 after a long illness. Drafted in the 16th round of the 1965 NFL Draft, Vandersea played 14 games in 1966, contributed on special teams, and was part of the 35‑10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. After a stint with the New Orleans Saints, a return to Green Bay, and a finish with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, he spent two decades as a corrections counselor and was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. His passing marks the fading of the storied Lombardi era.
The article advises the New York Giants to keep rookie QB J.J. McCarthy aggressive heading into the upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After a strong overtime win over the Houston Texans—20 of 28 completions for 252 yards and no interceptions—and a solid but mixed performance vs. New Orleans, the writer suggests mixing downfield shots to Isaiah Likely and the backs while maintaining a balanced run game. With receiver Cam Skattebo doubtful and Malik Nabers back in practice, the plan should give McCarthy quick, safe reads against Philadelphia’s varied pass rush rather than a overly conservative approach.
The Cleveland Browns have officially listed quarterback Deshaun Watson as inactive for Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints, despite being cleared from concussion protocol on Saturday. Backup Shedeur Sanders will start, with Taylen Green as the third QB, leaving Watson unavailable for relief. The Browns also sit C Parker Brailsford, DT Maliek Collins, LB Justin Jefferson and CB Noah Igbinoghene. The Saints’ inactives include QB Zach Wilson and several defensive players, but they return first‑round WR Jordyn Tyson from IR for his season debut.
Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season is here, and the New Orleans Saints (2-5) are back after their bye to take on the Cleveland Browns (5-3) in Caesars Superdome. With kickoff just minutes away, let’s take a look at today’s inactives. New Orleans Saints: Cleveland Browns: TBA
The Browns travel to New Orleans on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2026, for a pivotal Week 9 matchup against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome. The game doubles as a one‑week audition for backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose performance could shape his role once Deshaun Watson returns. The blog links to several preview pieces—ranging from a QB plan update to defensive analysis of the Saints’ run game—and outlines a game‑day discussion thread for fans. Stream the game on WOIO (19.1) with Andrew Catalon and Logan Ryan, and join the Dawgs By Nature community for live commentary via the SB Nation app.
Kyle Monangai, the Bears' leading rusher with a 5.4 yards-per-carry average, returns to practice as a limited participant after thumb and toe injuries sustained in Week 4’s 23‑12 win over the Jets, where he posted 146 yards and two touchdowns. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirms Monangai will miss Sunday Night Football against the Buccaneers and is slated to return after Chicago’s Week 10 bye, when the Bears host New Orleans. Rookie DB Malik Muhammad II and CB Tyrique Stevenson are expected to play, with Stevenson using a splint. Coach Ben Johnson describes the toe injury as “fickle,” leaving the Bears without their bruising backfield threat for the Tampa Bay matchup.
The New Orleans Saints host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. ET in the Caesars Superdome. Both teams come off recent losses to the Steelers, and the Browns will be without their starting quarterback. The game airs on NFL on CBS (Andrew Catalon, Logan Ryan) with local radio on WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM and Sirius/XM. Betting lines list the Saints as 3‑point favorites and an over/under of 42.5. Fans can join the SB Nation app’s game chat an hour early for live discussion.