The NFL is always a wild ride; that is why it is so popular, but for Cleveland Browns fans, a calmer ride would be nice, as would more wins. A week after getting destroyed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns played a bad New Orleans Saints in Week 9, and another roller coaster ensued, with an outcome Cleveland fans were hoping to avoid.
There will be a lot of conversation about the end-of-game decisions by HC Todd Monken and QB Shedeur Sanders, especially after the head coach’s befuddling decisions throughout
the game (and what he shared with the announce crew this week about Sanders). While the choice to go for two points, and failing to do so, will dominate the discussion, the coaching decisions were questionable throughout the game.
On to a few key takeaways, written as the game went on, for the Browns loss to the Saints in Week 9:
Tackling, particularly Ronnie Hickman, was poor on 1st drive, throughout the game
Just too many times, plays were extended because Cleveland defenders failed to wrap up New Orleans players. While forcing turnovers is nice, only going for the football is just bad defense, and too many times Hickman and others were caught with their hands going for the ball instead of the ball carrier. Unacceptable in the middle of the season from season-long starters.
Penalties and more penalties
Six in the first quarter, including two against special teams; the second one gave New Orleans 30 more yards. The yardage wasn’t huge for the penalties but impactful, and sad compared to the offense’s yardage in the 1st quarter:
- 6 penalties, 33 yards
- Browns rushing yards: 8
- Browns passing yards: 11
For the game, Cleveland ended up with 10 penalties for 58 yards, with a number of other flags declined, including one on the game-deciding two-point conversion attempt. For comparison, the Saints had just four penalties for 25 yards.
Mike Hall’s sack, zone coverage, leads to NO missed FG
A nice rush by the Browns defensive tackle forced the Saints out of field goal range. With Maliek Collins missing the game, it was good to see a big play by Hall late in the 1st quarter.
HC Todd Monken yelling more
Cleveland’s head coach was even more animated on the sidelines this week than he’s been much of the year. Whether it was just because of how the game was going, frustration boiling over from this week’s practice, or trying to jump-start the Browns, Monken was extra in Week 9. In the end, it didn’t work and the coach has to accept much of the blame.
Carson Schwesinger with another punch-out, perfecting it, big sack
Late in the 3rd quarter, Schwesinger was able to close on a scrambling Shough and got a two-yard sack to force a field goal.
Saints are also not good
DT Adin Huntington forced a big fumble on special teams, giving Cleveland great field position:
Neither team has played well; Cleveland has just forced two turnovers in the first half.
Quinshon Judkins hit and miss
The Browns top running back will have a few plays, like his 12-yard gain, where he looks like he’s back to the quality back he was in 2025, but too often he is unable to make plays, leading to this stat line: 15 carries, 43 yards, 2.9 yards per attempt. Cleveland just needs more from the running game.
Failed 4th-down takes points off the board
Sanders and OL Austin Barber seemed to affect the timing of the pull play and running back, but a bold call by Monken failed. Looked like Sanders turned the wrong way after the snap; Monken was coaching him up after the play.
Offense’s halftime stats are laughable
- 80 total yards
- 55 rushing yards
- 25 passing yards
- 3 for 8 on 3rd down
- 0 for 1 on 4th down
- 2.7 yards per play
Underthrown, but the big play to Boston was needed
More tackling issues as Tyler Shough starts to scramble late in the 3rd quarter
A spin move by the Saints QB on third down led to a first down and New Orleans deep into the redzone. Cleveland defenders struggled to finish plays.
4-point play by Hickman in the 3rd quarter
Shough had a touchdown throw, but Hickman continued to fight the tight end all the way to the ground, forcing the ball out and an incompletion instead of a touchdown. The Saints were forced to kick a field goal instead.
Befuddling quote from Monken about Sanders
I can’t believe Sanders suggested plays that were not in the Browns playbook, but even more, I can’t believe Monken shared that with the television crew, who repeated it during the game:
Another failed 4th-down play
Just no chance with Sanders backing out of the pocket, but Monken deciding to go for it after the Saints penalty on the punt will be judged, for sure. Sanders seemed uncertain on the play; with double slants, he tried to extend the play before being forced to throw it out of bounds.
More DB blitzes this week
DC Mike Rutenberg brought a number of cornerback blitzes, including two sacks by Myles Harden, a little bit of a wrinkle this week.
Deep ball bails out team again
Former Browns CB Martin Emerson burnt by the rookie:
Snapping the ball late with time on the play clock is poor decision-making
As the announcers noted, the Browns offense was in position to bleed the clock, but multiple times snapped the ball with time on the play clock. A little thing, but details matter so much in the NFL.
Similarly, spiking the ball with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter is a little detail that didn’t impact the result but matters.
Saints walk the Browns defense down to take the lead with a minute left
Six plays, 55 yards, 50 seconds, touchdown. New Orleans just walked the Cleveland defense right down the field.
Concepción drop… too much time to think
After a huge touchdown earlier in the quarter, Concepcion was wide open, and Sanders hit him right on time at the sideline, but the rookie dropped the ball trying to make sure he got his feet in bounds.
Sanders to Jerry Jeudy
A clutch throw, a big-time catch… Just an amazing throw by Sanders while getting blasted by DE Chase Young, and Jerry Jeudy holding on to the ball while being held by Martin Emerson was equally impressive:
Andre Szmyt hits huge once again
Never assuming a kicker would continue to hit long field goals, but Szmyt did it once again, tying the game with eight seconds left with a 51 yarder.
Deferring in OT was an interesting choice
Saints drove the ball after Monken decided to defer, taking over half the time off the clock. New Orleans scored a touchdown and left the Browns with just over four minutes for a chance to tie the game. Ultimately, this decision did not impact the outcome of the game.
Playing for the tie? Let 40 seconds run off the clock in OT
An interesting decision by Monken, the Browns completed a pass with just under 2:40 left on the clock in overtime and let the clock run down to the two-minute warning. Again, an interesting decision that didn’t impact the outcome of the game because…
Instead, Fannin dribbled defenders down the field for a score
Just an amazing effort by TE Harold Fannin to score with one minute on the clock, with Cleveland looking for the victory:
Going for 2 in OT… Failure leads to a loss
Monken decided to go for the win instead of the tie, and the Browns can’t get it done. Even if Sanders had completed the pass, OT Tytus Howard was called for a holding, which could have led to an extra-point attempt instead.
A lot of questions after this game, what are your takeaways for the Browns?
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