The Cleveland Browns marched into New Orleans to play the Saints this past Sunday but failed to come away with the victory as they lost a heartbreaker, 23-22 in overtime.
The Browns started quarterback Shedeur Sanders in place of Deshaun Watson, who was recovering from a recent concussion. Sanders led the Browns back twice late in the game only to not execute the final 2-point conversion play that would have won the game.
There were some really exciting offensive plays by the Browns, especially late in the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome countless mistakes by the team.
Let's look at the different groups this week and hand out grades.
Browns' future looked much better than the final score against the Saints
Quarterback
Sanders started in place of Watson and responded well. He made several tremendous throws late in the game to give the Browns a chance.
They grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter when Sanders found wide receiver KC Concepcion on a 64-yard pass for a touchdown. Later, he made a huge throw to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to help put the Browns in field goal position to tie the score at 16-16 and force overtime.
In the extra period, Sanders hit tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a checkdown, and the tight end did the rest for a 39-yard touchdown that made the score 23-22. Unfortunately, Sanders wasn't able to connect with wide receiver Denzel Boston on the 2-point conversion that would have given Cleveland the win.
Sanders finished 19-of-31 passing for 297 yards with two touchdowns. Sanders was sacked five times, and that affected things, especially early in the game.
However, considering it was his first start this season, Sanders performed well overall and gave his team a chance to win.
Grade: B
Running Backs
After watching this game, one has to wonder if Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is being phased out as the primary back. No. 2 running back Dylan Sampson played more in the late stages of the contest.
Neither did much to help the team in this one. Judkins had 43 yards on 15 carries. Sampson had eight carries for 21 yards and also caught three passes for 27 yards.
The Browns should consider working Sampson into the run game moving forward. Judkins continues to struggle to follow his blockers and find gaps in the line.
Grade: C
Wide receivers and tight ends
Again, this group was one of the best in the game. Concepcion, Boston, and Fannin all contributed in big ways. Boston caught a spectacular 60-yard pass from Sanders in the third quarter that he almost scored a touchdown on.
Concepcion's 64-yard touchdown catch-and-run was tremendous and was his first touchdown of the season. Fannin's 39-yard touchdown grab and rumble — where he stiff-armed two defenders while maintaining his balance on his way to pay dirt — was a thing of beauty.
So far, Boston and Concepcion lead the NFL in rookie receiving yards. Boston has 507 yards while Concepcion has 437 yards.
Grade: A
Offensive and defensive lines
Neither of these groups are improving much. The offensive line allowed five sacks. While in past weeks some of the sacks were more the fault of the quarterback (Deshaun Watson), most of Sunday's sacks were on the line.
The Saints pressured Sanders almost 60% of the time, so the Browns' line did relatively well considering the Saints' relentless pass rush.
The Cleveland defensive line again failed in the run game. New Orleans ran 32 times for 160 yards.
As a defensive unit, the Browns have been regressing over the past four weeks. They gave up 235 total yards in Week 6, 322 yards in Week 7, 361 yards in Week 8, and now 396 yards.
Grade: D
Linebackers and secondary
I thought that maybe this part of the team was going to be the difference in this battle against the Saints. After playing solid defense and causing turnovers in the first half, they allowed the Saints to take the lead late after the Browns had taken a lead in the fourth quarter. But in overtime, this unit allowed another touchdown.
Linebackers Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams were everywhere again in this one. Schwesinger had 15 tackles, including two sacks, and he forced a critical fumble on the goal line as New Orleans was trying to score.
The secondary, including cornerbacks like Myles Harden (who had two sacks on the quarterback), was strong in coverage for most of the afternoon but failed late as the Saints were able to complete some big passing plays.
Grade: C
Special teams
Browns field goal kicker Andre Szmyt went 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts, including one from 51 yards with time expiring in regulation. Cleveland's punter Corey Bojorquez continued to boot the ball well kicking one 59 yards and averaging 53 yards on five punts.
The Browns also forced a fumble on a punt return by the Saints' Barion Brown. Adin Huntington jarred the ball loose and Donovan McMillion recovered for Cleveland.
Grade: A
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