Sanders Nearly Rallies Browns Past Saints
Cleveland falls 23-22 in overtime after rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders makes his first start of the season.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Shedeur Sanders threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns in his first start of the season, but the Cleveland Browns lost 23-22 to the New Orleans Saints in overtime. Sanders threw no interceptions and drove Cleveland into position for a tying field goal in the final minute of regulation.
Why it matters
The loss drops Cleveland to 5-4 while Sanders's performance gives the Browns a look at their quarterback situation as Deshaun Watson works through concussion protocol. The result also keeps the Browns in a tight race for playoff positioning.
Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a game decided by one point in overtime. His 64-yard touchdown to KC Concepcion and 39-yard overtime touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. accounted for much of the offense, while Cleveland's two-point try failed on an incompletion.
The players
Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns quarterback whose first start of the season nearly produced a comeback win over New Orleans.
Skip Bayless
Sports commentator who called for the Minnesota Vikings to trade for Shedeur Sanders.
Deshaun Watson
Browns quarterback who was made inactive against New Orleans after spending most of the week in concussion protocol.
The details
Sanders started after Deshaun Watson spent most of the week in concussion protocol and was made inactive against New Orleans. Cleveland's comeback attempt ended when its two-point conversion try fell incomplete following the overtime touchdown.
Timeline
Sunday: Browns lose 23-22 in overtime to the Saints.
Monday: Carson Wentz starts for the Vikings against Buffalo with Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring strain.
Tuesday: NFL trade deadline.
Next week: Deshaun Watson is expected to regain the starting job.
Next game: Browns host the Houston Texans.
Season Trajectory
Cleveland's narrow loss keeps the Browns in contention in a competitive AFC race as the NFL trade deadline arrives on Tuesday. Minnesota's 6-1 start atop the NFC North makes Sanders trade chatter a live factor in the division picture.
Fantasy managers tracking Shedeur Sanders now have a full box score showing 297 passing yards and two touchdowns from his first start. Watson's expected return next week will determine whether Sanders's role changes for the Browns' next game against Houston.
The takeaway
Sanders's first start showed Cleveland can stay competitive with its backup option at quarterback, but Watson's health will decide the Browns' direction after a close loss. The coming week will show whether Cleveland pursues changes before the trade deadline.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline falls Tuesday, and Deshaun Watson is expected to regain the Browns' starting job next week.
Further reading
For more on the league, see the Football section.
