Saints beat Browns 20-16 in overtime after Estime rush

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sunday at the Superdome. The win moved the Saints to a 3-5 record and capped a game that required overtime to settle.

Head coach Kellen Moore made personnel changes before the game to fix the Saints run game. He fired run game coordinator TJ Paganetti and signed running back Audric Estime. The Saints also released Kendre Miller the day before the contest. Estime carried the ball 15 times for 72 yards and one touchdown. The team finished with 160 rushing yards, which was the second highest total of the season.

Quarterback Tyler Shough played a decisive role in the late stages of the game. He completed 8 of 11 passes for a touchdown in the final two offensive drives. A 33-yard pass to Chris Olave helped set up a fourth quarter score. Shough also gained 8 yards on a scramble to help secure a field goal goal. In overtime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson on third and four.

The Saints defense recorded five sacks on Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The unit limited Cleveland to 95 rushing yards. However, the defense allowed four big plays that kept the game close. Sanders completed a 64-yard touchdown pass to K.C. Concepcion in the fourth quarter. In overtime, Sanders threw a short pass to Harold Fannin, who broke tackles for a 39-yard score. The Saints sealed the win on a pass break up by Kool-Aid McKinstry on the final two-point conversion attempt.

Offensive struggles in the first half cost the Saints early points. Placekicker Charlie Smyth missed a 52-yard field goal. Receiver Jordyn Tyson fumbled the ball on his first career catch near the goal line. Tyson recovered from the mistake to finish with four receptions for 30 yards. Rookie safety Barion Brown made a big early catch but fumbled a punt return in the second quarter.

The Saints will host the Carolina Panthers next week in an NFC South matchup.