The New Orleans Saints edged the Cleveland Browns 23-22 in overtime Sunday, with Audric Estime and Chris Olave leading the home team’s offensive production in a Week 9 game that stayed level through regulation. At Caesars Superdome, New Orleans finally found separation in the extra period, outscoring Cleveland 7-6 to secure a one-point victory.
The Saints finished the day at 3-5, while the Browns fell to 5-4 despite a 297-yard, two-touchdown passing performance from Shedeur Sanders. For Cleveland, substantial production through the air was not quite enough to turn a closely contested road game into a win.
Little Separation, Then an Overtime Finish
New Orleans took a 3-0 lead through the first quarter, but Cleveland supplied the only three points of the second. That sent the teams into halftime tied 3-3, with neither side establishing a scoring advantage that lasted.
The third quarter followed the same pattern: three points apiece, leaving the score 6-6 entering the fourth. After combining for just 12 points over the opening three quarters, the offenses produced 20 in the fourth, with each team adding 10.
That late increase in scoring raised the tension without settling the result. Regulation ended at 16-16, and a game that had been tied after every quarter since halftime needed one more period to produce a winner.
Overtime delivered the decisive difference: seven points for New Orleans against six for Cleveland. The supplied scoring summary does not identify the sequence of possessions, the winning scorer or the conversion outcomes, so it cannot establish exactly how the final one-point margin developed. What it does show is a Saints team doing just enough in the extra period to finish ahead.
Key Performers
Shedeur Sanders, Browns: His supplied passing line was 19/31, 297 YDS, 2 TD. Sanders completed 61.3% of his attempts and averaged 9.6 yards per attempt, giving Cleveland meaningful production downfield. His interception total was not included in the provided statistics.
Audric Estime, Saints: The game’s rushing leader posted 15 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD. His 4.8 yards per carry gave New Orleans productive work on the ground, and his touchdown was a valuable contribution in a game decided by the smallest possible margin.
Chris Olave, Saints: The receiving leader finished with 7 REC, 98 YDS, averaging 14 yards per reception. His receiving touchdown total was not supplied, but his yardage and catch volume made him a central contributor to the Saints’ offense.
NerdSports Stat: The fourth quarter and overtime accounted for 33 of the game’s 45 points—73.3% of the combined scoring.
What Comes Next
New Orleans will look to build momentum against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, November 15, at 10:00 AM PST. Cleveland faces the Houston Texans at the same time, seeking a response as both teams work to strengthen their positions in the playoff picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Orleans Saints defeated Cleveland Browns 23-22 on November 8, 2026.
The supplied data does not identify the Saints’ passing leader or provide his passing statistics.
Yes. After a 16-16 regulation tie, New Orleans outscored Cleveland 7-6 in one overtime period.
Cleveland Browns is now 5-4; New Orleans Saints is 3-5.
The Saints face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM PST.
