Losses usually bring criticism, and most of it lands on the quarterback. Sunday in New Orleans was different. The Browns fell to the Saints in overtime, but the conversation afterward was mostly about how well their starting quarterback played. Across social media, Browns fans, reporters and national accounts kept coming back to the same idea about Shedeur Sanders.
Aaron Goldhammer summed up what many were thinking after the final whistle.
“When the lights got bright, Shedeur was great. Very impressive. Game was lost on defense. He deserved better. Penalties remain insane,” Goldhammer said.
When the lights got bright, Shedeur was great. Very impressive. Game was lost on defense. He deserved better. Penalties remain insane.
— Aaron Goldhammer (@HammerNation19) November 8, 2026
Sanders’ best plays came when the Browns needed them most. Trailing 9-6 with 5:33 left in the 4th quarter, he hit KC Concepcion deep down the right side for a 64-yard touchdown that put Cleveland in front.
His most impressive play came on the final drive of regulation. Down 16-13 with 37 seconds left and facing 3rd and 6, Sanders escaped pressure, rolled left and waited for Jerry Jeudy to come open. He delivered the throw just as he got crushed by a defender, and Jeudy picked up 30 yards. That set up Andre Szmyt’s 51-yard field goal to force overtime.
Shedeur Sanders hangs in the pocket and makes a tough throwpic.twitter.com/o2vmRquRwX
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 8, 2026
He did it again in overtime. After the Saints scored on their opening possession, Sanders stood in against the rush on 3rd and 7 and found Harold Fannin Jr. underneath. Fannin kept his balance and rumbled 39 yards for the touchdown. The Browns then went for 2 and the win, but the try came up short.
The numbers backed up what everyone saw. Sanders finished 19 of 31 for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception, good for a 114.6 passer rating. He did it while being sacked 5 times and taking several big hits.
Goldhammer’s other points were fair too. The defense allowed 160 rushing yards and gave up the go-ahead touchdown with 58 seconds left in regulation, then another touchdown on the opening drive of overtime. The Browns were also flagged 10 times for 58 yards, a week after 9 penalties in Pittsburgh.
That leaves Todd Monken with an interesting decision. Deshaun Watson cleared the concussion protocol before the game and leads the NFL with 5 game-winning drives. Sanders, meanwhile, just led 3 scoring drives in the final minutes of a road game in his first start of the season.
The Browns are 5-4 heading into Tuesday’s trade deadline and a home game against the Houston Texans. Whoever starts next Sunday, Sanders gave Browns fans plenty to talk about this week.
NEXT: Fans React To Browns' Loss To Saints On Sunday
