The Cleveland Browns gave themselves a chance to win in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, but they fell 23-22 in overtime on the road. Shedeur Sanders made his 2026 starting debut at quarterback in place of Deshaun Watson, who was inactive after clearing concussion protocol late in the week.

Cleveland had its usual slow start on offense and didn’t get going until the fourth quarter. Browns coach Todd Monken saw a mixed bag from his quarterback in New Orleans, and Sanders’ first start of the season will have Browns fans talking this week.

Shedeur Sanders had an up-and-down day against the Saints

The Browns’ offense was good in spurts in the second half against the Saints. Cleveland moved the ball with explosive plays, and most of them came through the passing game.

Sanders completed 19-of-31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdown passes. Still, it was an up-and-down day for the young quarterback. New Orleans sacked him five times, and several of those sacks came from Sanders not getting the ball out when it needed to be out.

The Browns didn’t run the ball well, and that did him no favors. Sanders also missed multiple throws you’d expect him to make. It was much of the same we have seen from the offense this season, just with a different quarterback. 

“I’m really proud of him,” Monken said of Sanders after the game. “He wasn’t perfect. I wasn’t perfect .. but for a guy that really hasn’t taken snaps with the ones in 10 weeks … to come in there and continue to battle, i’m really, really proud of him. He’s really matured.” 

Browns’ young stars showed up in the passing game

On the flip side, Sanders got the Browns’ young stars involved, and they showed what they can do. Denzel Boston led the way with 98 receiving yards, and KC Concepcion added 85 of his own.

Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished with 42 receiving yards and a touchdown that forced overtime. Without that score, Cleveland never would have reached the extra period.

What’s next at quarterback for Cleveland

Sanders didn’t have a good day, but it also wasn’t a negative day. For the most part, the Browns got at least competent quarterback play out of him against New Orleans. If Sanders can avoid taking the sacks he did, Cleveland could have something to work with there this season.

The bigger question now is who lines up under center next week. All signs point to the Browns starting Watson in Week 10 against the Houston Texans. However, Monken still has to confirm that decision this week.

Sanders made his case in New Orleans, and he showed enough with the young pass catchers around him to at least make it a topic of discussion at the very least.