The Browns head into Week 9 with a chance to steady things quickly after a disappointing loss to the Steelers, but the Saints are not the kind of opponent to brush aside. Cleveland sits at 5-3, and a win on Sunday could set up a favorable stretch with the Texans next and the Raiders after the bye. First, though, the Browns have to deal with a New Orleans team that has enough talent to make this one interesting.
That starts with Tyler Shough, who has become one of the more intriguing young quarterbacks in the league. A second-round pick in 2025, Shough took over for a 1-7 Saints team last season and helped fuel a 5-4 finish over the final nine games, which is part of why he drew so much buzz entering this year. Some even argued the Browns should have considered him - along with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart - in a hypothetical re-draft at No. 2 overall.
New Orleans has not turned that momentum into wins so far, sitting at 2-5, but Shough has put up numbers. He ranks 14th in the league with 245.9 passing yards per game and is tied for 10th with 13 passing touchdowns, even though he has played only seven games.
He has also added 111 rushing yards, though his legs are more of a change-up than a feature. The bigger issue has been ball security: his nine turnovers are fifth-most in the league.
The Saints are 2-0 when they win the turnover battle and 0-5 when they don’t, so that’s the area Cleveland has to attack.
If the Browns are looking for the cleanest path to control this game, forcing Shough into mistakes has to be near the top of the list.
New Orleans also brings a handful of other problems on offense and defense, starting with Chris Olave. The wideout is Shough’s top target and has been busy all year, catching 49 of 71 targets for 636 yards.
His 90.9 receiving yards per game rank fifth in football. That volume has also opened things up for Devaughn Vele, who has 33 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints’ No. 2 receiver.
There’s also a chance New Orleans gets another weapon back this week.
Olave figures to see Denzel Ward, and that matchup matters. Ward has been Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked cornerback so far, and he should draw the assignment against New Orleans’ best pass catcher. If there’s a single offensive threat the Browns need to keep in check, Olave is the one.
The Saints may also be preparing to debut Jordyn Tyson. The Browns were connected to Tyson throughout the pre-draft process, and general manager Andrew Berry said the team was interested in Tyson, Giants offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, and the player Cleveland eventually selected, Spencer Fano.
Berry traded down knowing one of the three would still be there at No. 9.
Tyson has yet to play because of a hamstring injury that cost him the first seven games, but he practiced for the first time this week and logged three limited sessions. New Orleans listed him as questionable.
If he goes, the Saints would love to get his career rolling in a hurry. Cleveland has to be ready for that possibility.
The pass rush is another place where New Orleans can tilt the game. Chase Young has been on a tear, piling up 7.0 sacks through seven games, which ties him for third in the league.
PFF has him 10th among EDGE defenders and second in pass-rushing grade. His partner in pressure, Carl Granderson, has 5.5 sacks of his own and has already made it clear the Saints are aware of Shedeur Sanders’ questionable pregame comments.
That leaves the Browns’ offensive line with plenty to handle, especially after Spencer Fano’s roughest game of the season. He was visibly frustrated afterward, and this matchup does not offer much room to breathe. Sanders is making his first start of the season, and if Cleveland wants him to have a real shot, the line has to respond.
There’s also a familiar face on the other side in Martin Emerson Jr. The former Browns third-round pick out of Mississippi State was quiet as a rookie, then broke out in his second season with four interceptions and 14 passes defended. His third year was a step back, along with much of the 2024 roster, and then he tore his Achilles in training camp before moving on this offseason.
Emerson Jr. has looked sharp with the Saints. He has been targeted 18 times, allowed 10 catches for 137 yards and no touchdowns, and picked off two passes, according to PFF.
That adds up to a 40.5 passer rating allowed. His status is uncertain after being listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, following limited work on Wednesday and Thursday and a missed session on Friday.
If he does play, he’ll have plenty of motivation against his former team. The Browns will want to make sure he doesn’t turn that into a headline.
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Shedeur Sanders Just Added Real Heat To Browns Saints
Shedeur Sanders has already given the Browns-Saints matchup a little extra edge before a snap is played. The Cleveland quarterbacks recent comments drew a response from New Orleans defensive end Carl Granderson, who made it clear the Saints will have added motivation when the teams meet in Week 9, with Sanders expected to start for Cleveland.
It is the kind of setup that fits neatly into the old bulletin-board material conversation, where a few words can linger long enough to shape the mood around a game. For the Browns, it adds another layer to a matchup that was already going to draw attention because of Sanders first start, and now it comes with a little more bite on the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]