Saints beat Browns 23-22 in overtime after failed two-point conversion

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-22 in overtime on Sunday after Cleveland failed to convert a two-point attempt following a touchdown, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of NFL week nine. The result moved New Orleans to 3-5 and left the Browns at 5-4 after a game that was tied 3-3 at halftime.

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Cleveland had taken a 13-9 lead in the fourth quarter through a 64-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to KC Concepcion. The Guardian described a missed tackle by a Saints defender that allowed the rookie receiver to complete the scoring play. That touchdown put the Browns ahead, but the advantage did not survive the closing minute of regulation.

Audric Estime answered for New Orleans with a two-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds remaining, giving the Saints a 16-13 lead. According to the Guardian, New Orleans had signed the running back during the week. His late score put Cleveland in the position of needing points on its final possession to avoid a defeat in regulation.

Browns kicker Szmyt then made a 65-yard field goal with eight seconds left to level the score at 16-16. The long-range kick forced overtime and extended a contest in which neither team had managed more than three points by the interval. It also cancelled out the lead Estime had established less than a minute earlier.

The Saints scored on the opening possession of overtime when Tyler Shough connected with Juwan Johnson for a 15-yard touchdown. New Orleans led 23-16 with 4:17 remaining in the extra period. Cleveland still had an opportunity to respond because the touchdown had come on overtime’s first possession, setting up another chance for the Browns to overturn a late deficit.

Sanders found Harold Fannin for a 39-yard touchdown to bring Cleveland within one point. The Browns chose a two-point attempt with a chance to win instead of attempting an extra point to tie. Sanders’ pass fell incomplete, ending the game and securing a one-point victory for New Orleans after Cleveland had twice prolonged the contest with late scores.