Kembali
The Saints are tied with the Browns after thirty minutes of play at 3-apiece in the Superdome. Here's what we saw that impressed us and what didn't after the first half.
When quarterback Tyler Shough has been given time this season, he has been able to throw some dimes, including this 50-plus yarder to rookie Barion Brown.
BARION BROWN: 52 YARDS!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/cDAFRFMYil
Shough had a nice pass inside the five yard line to another rookie, as Jordyn Tyson caught his first NFL pass, but fumbled at the Cleveland two. More on that in a bit.
There were people who wondered why he was ever released. We were included in that group. It didn't take long for Audric Estimé to make his presence known.
18-yd run for Audric 🤝
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/bSueK27YUO
On the opening drive alone, Estimé had three carries for 32-yards. A pretty steady diet of Estimé early on helped everything else work nicely.
Truth be told, the Saints aren't playing against Deshaun Watson at quarterback for Cleveland. However, they are playing pretty solid in the first half, including linebacker Kaden Elliss getting his first sack of the year.
Kaden Elliss sacks Shedeur Sanders 💪
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/hbA9cfUoQL
But nothing was bigger than this 4th down and goal brick wall inside the Saints one.
4TH DOWN STOP 🛑
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Rg13KrF0dM
Twice, Saints rookies have lost fumbles in this first half, and once another rookie let a ball slip out of his grasp almost leading to a Browns interception.
The first was mentioned above when Tyson caught his first NFL pass, a crossing pattern inside the ten, and lost the ball going to the ground.
Jordyn Tyson fumbles his first catch 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/GkkRh9Vzid
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 8, 2026
The second was by returner Brown. Earlier, he had caught that 52-yard bomb. Then he lost the ball while trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Browns force another fumble, this time on special teams!
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
CLEvsNO on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SRECYZJvIr
With under a minute to go, Bryce Lance let a pass slip through his hands in Saints territory. It bounced high in the air and almost landed in the arms of a Cleveland defensive back.
By the way, with those two giveaways, the Saints have now lost more fumbles than any other team in the NFL, surpassing.....the Browns.
In just fifteen minutes of play, quarterback Tyler Shough was sacked twice, having to run for his life more times than he probably would like. One of his scrambles was for a first down, though.
Shough on the run for 14 yards 🔥
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/fonbUKhHAn
The group did better in quarter number two, allowing time for Shough to find those aforementioned big pass plays.
The Irishman was called on to take the place of a veteran. He made the chip shot from 30-yards but was wide right on the 52-yarder.
Come on, Charlie...
If you thought the Saints were not disciplined because of being penalized, welcome to the Cleveland Browns. The visitors had six penalties in the first quarter alone. The Browns came in as the most penalized team in the NFL and didn't disappoint.