Browns Fall to Saints in Overtime Loss
Cleveland's failed two-point try on the final play sealed a 10-penalty day in New Orleans, with Shedeur Sanders starting in place of injured Deshaun Watson.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
The Cleveland Browns lost to the New Orleans Saints in overtime on November 8, 2026. Shedeur Sanders started at quarterback after Deshaun Watson spent most of the week in concussion protocol, and the Browns' two-point conversion attempt on the final play failed.
Why it matters
The loss extends Cleveland's struggles to start games quickly, a problem head coach Todd Monken said must be fixed. For Cleveland fans, the result and the backup quarterback situation shape the team's outlook as it returns home next week.
The Browns were penalized 10 times, six of them in the first quarter, and managed only 80 total yards in the first half. Sanders went 19 of 37 for 297 yards with two touchdowns and 28 rushing yards, while Watson's status for the next game remains unconfirmed.
The players
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football franchise that plays in the National Football League's AFC North division.
Todd Monken
Todd Monken is the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, responsible for game-day decisions including the failed two-point attempt.
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who started this game after Deshaun Watson's concussion protocol absence.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football franchise in the National Football League's NFC South division.
The details
Monken chose to go for the win on the failed two-point conversion after Harold Fannin Jr.'s 39-yard touchdown rather than settle for a tie. The Browns' offense struggled early, and Monken hopes the remaining eight games will reverse the team's slow starts.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Browns lose to the Saints in overtime in New Orleans.
November 15, 2026, 1:00 PM: Browns host the Houston Texans at Huntington Bank Field.
Season Trajectory
The loss follows a pattern of slow starts that Todd Monken has publicly flagged as the team's central problem to solve. With eight games remaining, the Browns' ability to reverse that pattern will shape their competitive position in the AFC North.
The Browns will face the Texans at home next week, and fantasy managers will want to track Shedeur Sanders' workload if Deshaun Watson remains limited. Cleveland's 10 penalties and slow first-half offense are the kind of factors that affect both game outcomes and weekly lineup decisions.
The takeaway
Slow starts and costly penalties decided this game as much as the final play, so the Browns' next home matchup offers a chance to test whether the early-game problems can be corrected. Watch first-quarter execution as a leading indicator for the rest of the season.
What happens next
The Browns host the Houston Texans on November 15, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Huntington Bank Field.
Further reading
For more Browns coverage, see the Cleveland football section.
