Grading a close loss is never easy. The final score tells one story, but the individual performances inside the game can tell a completely different one. A team can play well enough to win and still come up short on a single snap. That was the case for the Browns in New Orleans, and the national grades reflected that mix.
John Breech of CBS Sports gave the Browns a C+ for their 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints.
“The Browns didn’t win, but Shedeur Sanders definitely made a case to be the starting QB in Cleveland. Despite facing constant pressure, Sanders still managed to throw for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He came up clutch late in the game, with 197 yards of his passing total coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. No matter who starts, that person needs to get this team turned around, because the Browns’ 5-2 start suddenly feels like a distant memory,” Breech wrote.
That 197-yard figure stands out. Sanders managed only 38 passing yards in the 1st half as the offense struggled to get going. Once the game tightened late, he found his rhythm, hitting KC Concepcion for a 64-yard touchdown, setting up the tying field goal and throwing a 39-yard touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime.
Breech also laid out the other side of the debate. Deshaun Watson has been winning games like this all season, while Sanders came up short when the Browns failed on the 2-point try that would have won it. Watson has cleared the concussion protocol and should be available against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The Saints earned a B- for their side of the game. Breech wrote that New Orleans beat the Browns at their own game, pairing a strong defense with clutch quarterback play late. That has been Cleveland’s formula all year.
The Saints’ pass rush was a big part of the result. They sacked Sanders 5 times, with Carl Granderson getting 2 of them. Tyler Shough completed passes to 8 different receivers, and Alvin Kamara helped set up the overtime touchdown with his running.
Breech’s warning about the 5-2 start is the bigger concern. The Browns have now lost back-to-back games and dropped to 5-4, while the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals are both 6-2 in the AFC North. Penalties, red zone struggles and a run defense that allowed 160 yards all showed up again on Sunday.
Some of the fixes are on Todd Monken’s desk this week. He has to choose a quarterback for the Texans game, and Andrew Berry has until Tuesday’s trade deadline to address any needs on the roster.
A C+ is not a failing grade, but the Browns know they need better than that to stay in the race.
NEXT: One Stat Shows How Shedeur Sanders Stacks Up With NFL’s Best
