The Cleveland Browns had three goals on Sunday in New Orleans while playing a backup quarterback making his first start of the season and needing a win to stay in the AFC playoff picture.
Stop with all the penalties. Limit the turnovers. Come home with a victory over a Saints team going nowhere.
That was the assignment for the day against a two-win Saints team going nowhere.
While the Browns made it through the game without a turnover, they failed miserably on penalties with 10, including a holding
call on the final play of overtime, and couldn’t pick up that much-needed win.
Even with a different quarterback running the show, it was a familiar story, as the Browns were bad for three quarters, came alive in the fourth, but, unlike previous weeks, could not pull out the victory.
The loss overshadowed:
- A big catch from wide receiver Denzel Boston that would have been a walk-in touchdown, thus avoiding the whole overtime, if it had not been underthrown.
- The first touchdown of the season for wide receiver KC Concepcion on another ball that was underthrown, but the elusive Concepcion turned it into a 64-yard touchdown.
- A 39-yard touchdown in overtime when tight end Harold Fannin Jr. went all bull in the china shop to find the end zone.
There will be far too much talk this week about the quarterback situation, which is a discussion no one wants, questions about head coach Todd Monken’s clock management, and more as the Browns deal with their first two-game losing streak of the season.
For now, let’s get this Monday rolling with the latest edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints recap: Shedeur Sanders comes close, but can’t get the final play in overtime (Chris Pokorny): The Browns took it down to the final play, but this time they could not pull off the win.
Browns vs. Saints: Takeaways from Week 9’s loss include lots of Todd Monken questions (Jared Mueller): Here’s a question for the “no-nonsense head coach” after a day with 10 penalties: Why is the carpet all wet, Todd?
Befuddling quote from Todd Monken: Shedeur Sanders asked for non-Browns plays this week (Jared Mueller): It is starting to look more and more like “the Browns is the Browns” never left the building.
Browns playmakers did their part on offense vs. the Saints (Thomas Moore): Once the Browns get their quarterback in 2027, this offense might be something to watch.
Browns winners, losers from Week 9 vs. Saints: CLE turns down 4 points, loses in overtime (Barry Shuck): Who did well, who did bad, and what about some of those decisions by the head coach?
3 Browns fined versus Steelers, hit on Deshaun Watson costly for PIT defender (Jared Mueller): You get a fine. And you get a fine. Seemingly everyone got a fine, except for the guy who dumped Jared Verse on his head.
The Feed
The whole thing was horribly overblown. Can we just move on? Have your say in The Feed.
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Cleveland Browns/NFL
Browns offense shows flashes but remains a major work in progress (cleveland.com): Under construction since 1999.
What did we learn from Shedeur Sanders’ start vs. Saints? (Beacon Journal): We learned that Deshaun Watson will be starting this week against Houston.
Puka Nacua’s 150 yards, Myles Garrett’s three sacks carry Rams past Commanders (Los Angeles Times): Yeah, Myles Garrett is still good.
How Joe Burrow and Bengals’ offense started fast, never let up to beat Falcons in Madrid (The Athletic): The Bengals appear to be hitting their stride.
Colts in Daniel Jones trade talks as multiple teams call about QB, sources say (ESPN): The NFL remains a league where teams are desperate for anyone with a pulse to play quarterback.
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