NEW ORLEANS – It was a nail-biter in New Orleans, but the New Orleans Saints came up with their first home win of the 2026 regular season with a 23-16 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns. The team avoids its first 0-4 home start since 1980 and builds confidence as New Orleans looks to rebound from its 2-5 start to the season.
The Story
The Saints (3-5) pulled out a gutsy win that was far from perfect, but was far more reminiscent of the team’s promising start to the season than its 1-4 stretch since. The team was able to show some progress following the bye week with 160 rushing yards on the day – 109 of which was from running backs and held the Browns to just 2.8 yards per carry on the defensive side.
The return of running back Audric Estime drew praise upon the signing, but his impact made it even more clear that he shouldn’t have gotten away from New Orleans in the first place. He had three carries for 32 rushing yards to start the game before head coach Kellen Moore swapped backs to Alvin Kamara in the red zone.
Later, Estime was able to get going again, grabbing a late-game touchdown that helped the Saints take a late lead.
But defensively, while New Orleans got consistent pressure on Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, they managed to surrender big plays kept the Browns in business all the way through overtime after a 39-yard catch-and-run by tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Cleveland chose to go for two and the win, but a holding penalty, and an incomplete pass, led to the Browns not being able to take the late lead, making Saints quarterback Tyler Shough’s pinpoint throw to tight end Juwan Johnson in the first possession of overtime the game-winner.
New Orleans will now host the Carolina Panthers with a chance to compete for first place in the NFC South division next week depending on the result of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears matchup on Sunday Night Football.
The Stats
- QB Tyler Shough: 21 of 36 for 265 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He completed passes to nine different receivers. 10 rushes for 51 rushing yards.
- WR Chris Olave: seven catches for 98 receiving yards.
- WR Jordyn Tyson: four catches for 30 receiving yards
- TE Juwan Johnson: two receptions for 34 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.
- RB Audric Estime: 15 carries for 72 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. One catch for five receiving yards.
- EDGE Chase Young: four total tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.
- EDGE Carl Granderson: seven total tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss.
- LB Kaden Elliss: nine total tackles, one sack, three hits on the quarterback and two tackles for a loss.
The Plays
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119492027821814179?a=4CRww81ovmyKPXqA84s&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119502557034799347?a=QcLR05u4ZY8HNf6FOIw&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119507178411225474?a=ZehjF9o0uJBVqQkAXHg&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119509849738248431?a=D6clwpuQ_Ue-2Y6Prcc&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119517498148106500?a=dJ_fcShg7T5hiPTtZCs&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119534771558584391?a=iQmJ6hKc3-T5YKd8qgM&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119535497974317462?a=9paIZ2OEjaWI2k_qo1I&s=20
- https://x.com/Saints/status/2119540776795320346?a=uZsK7j0PCK_PEKSh-Rk&s=20
The Injuries
- Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was slow to get up in the third quarter and was checked by trainers. He returned to action shortly after on the same drive.
- Center Erik McCoy exited the game in overtime with a biceps injury.
