Road games against rested opponents rarely go smoothly, especially with a new quarterback under center. The Saints came in with an extra week of preparation, and the Browns were starting Shedeur Sanders for the first time this season. Many expected a slow start on offense, and that is what the first 30 minutes delivered. Thanks to a defense that kept forcing turnovers, though, the game is still even.
The Browns shared the halftime score from the Superdome.
all tied up at the half pic.twitter.com/XUbS8oamjT
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 8, 2026
Points have been hard to come by. The Saints opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal from Charlie Smyth midway through the 1st quarter. Andre Szmyt answered with a 41-yard field goal early in the 2nd quarter, and neither team has scored since.
The defense is the main reason the Browns are not trailing. New Orleans lost 2 fumbles in the 1st half, including one on a punt return. Carson Schwesinger has been everywhere, with 6 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, and Tyson Campbell recovered a fumble. Mike Hall Jr. also has a sack.
The Saints have moved the ball at times. Tyler Shough is 7 of 10 for 135 yards, and Barion Brown had a 52-yard catch. Chris Olave has 4 catches for 55 yards in his matchup with Denzel Ward. Even so, New Orleans has come away empty on both of its trips inside the red zone and missed a field goal.
One familiar face is doing damage. Audric Estime, whom the Saints claimed off waivers from Cleveland last month, leads New Orleans with 41 rushing yards on 7 carries.
The offense has had a tough time getting going for Sanders. He is 5 of 8 for 38 yards and has been sacked twice, and the Browns have just 25 net passing yards. He has added 12 yards on 6 carries. Dylan Sampson has the longest catch at 16 yards, while KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have 2 catches each. Harold Fannin Jr. has not been targeted yet.
The run game has been better than last week. Quinshon Judkins has 32 yards on 8 carries, and the Browns already have 55 rushing yards after managing only 34 in Pittsburgh.
The biggest problems have been penalties and efficiency. Cleveland has been flagged 7 times for 38 yards.
The good news is that the Browns have controlled the clock, holding the ball for more than 17 minutes. Every win this season has come down to the final minutes, and this one is shaping up the same way. If Sanders can create a few explosive plays in the 2nd half, the defense has given him every chance to win it.
NEXT: 6 Browns Players Inactive For Saints Matchup
