The Browns lost 35-14 to the Saints in their Week 11 matchup, bringing their record to 2-8 on the season.
The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 14, but the Saints scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth, including two from TE/QB Taysom Hill.
QB Jameis Winston, who spent four seasons in New Orleans from 2020-23, threw for 395 yards, but the Browns were unable to keep up with the explosiveness of the Saints offense.
Key moments
Miscues in the first half prove costly
The Browns entered halftime with two takeaways, 254 total yards and just one penalty but had only 6 points, thanks to an 89-yard touchdown reception from WR Jerry Jeudy.
On their first drive of the game, the Browns elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 at the 50-yard line, but RB Nick Chubb was stuffed and tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
The offense caught fire on their third drive after Winston launched a deep ball to Jeudy, who showed his speed taking it 89 yards to the house.
After the Saints committed a penalty on the ensuing extra point, the Browns elected to go for two facing a short field. Winston was immediately pressured and was forced to throw an errant pass, preventing the Browns from taking the lead.
The Browns’ final two drives of the half had the same result: a missed field goal from K Dustin Hopkins.
Hopkins’ first miss of the day came on a 51-yard field goal attempt, which he missed wide left. On the Browns’ final drive of the half, Hopkins missed a 32-yard try but the Saints were called for defensive holding, setting up a 27-yard attempt, which Hopkins also missed wide left.
The Browns were unable to capitalize on a dominant first half performance from CB Denzel Ward, who had two takeaways. Ward’s first interception of the season came on a deep ball from Hill, whom Ward later stripped of the football and recovered the fumble deep in the Browns territory.
Defense struggles to contain Saints explosive offense
Despite having two takeaways courtesy of Ward, the Browns defense allowed several explosive plays throughout the game, including a 33-yard touchdown run from Hill that gave the Saints a lead in the fourth quarter that they would not relinquish.
As the Saints approached the Browns red zone early in the fourth quarter, they faced fourth-and-1 and elected to go for it instead of settling for a long field goal. Hill took a direct snap and ran through the middle of the Browns defense for a touchdown.
Hill provided several big plays for the Saints offense and special teams throughout the game. The offensive weapon finished with seven carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns, one completion for 18 yards, an interception, eight receptions for 50 yards, a lost fumble and a 42-yard kickoff return. On the opening drive, Hill completed a pass, made a reception and had a 10-yard carry for a touchdown.
As an offense, the Saints had three passing plays for 20 or more yards and five running plays for 10 or more yards. RB Alvin Kamara finished with 89 total yards and a touchdown.
After the Browns turned the ball over on downs in Saints territory late in the fourth quarter, Hill took off for a 75-yard touchdown to give the Saints a three-touchdown lead and effectively end the game.
Winston’s strong performance overshadowed by loss
Winston finished with 395 yards and two touchdown passes, taking three sacks and throwing zero interceptions.
The 10-year veteran showed a strong connection with Jeudy, as the two combined for 142 yards and the 89-yard touchdown.
Njoku also served as a viable option in the passing game for the Browns, as he caught nine of 10 targets for 81 yards.
On the Browns’ first drive of the second half, Winston completed 4-of-5 passes for 65 yards, capped off by a perfectly placed 30-yard dart to WR Elijah Moore.
After their touchdown drive, the Browns offense struggled to move the ball, gaining just 92 yards across their final four drives, punting three times and turning the ball over on downs just outside the red zone.
