Billy Cundiff knocked in a 29-yard field goal three seconds remaining in the Sunday's game to give the Cleveland Browns a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. The play was set up by a botched coverage by the Saints that left Andrew Hawkins wide open at the 12-yard line.
Saints vs. Browns final score: 3 things we learned from Cleveland’s thrilling 26-24 win
Brian Hoyer led a last-second game-winning drive to give the Browns’ a thrilling 26-24 win over New Orleans
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
A 62-yard interception return for a touchdown by Tashaun Gipson in the second quarter proved to be the undoing of Drew Brees and the Saints. The offense settled down in the second half after a bad first half, but despite a heroic effort by Jimmy Graham (10 catches, 118 yards, two touchdowns), the Browns were the better team
The Saints were too good not to come alive at some point after a bad start. Drew Brees threw a touchdown pass to Graham to end the first half, then hooked up with his tight end again early in the second to give the Saints a brief 17-16 lead.
The Browns punched back behind strong running from Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. A 9-yard touchdown run by the rookie West made the score 23-17 at the end of the third quarter.
After a disastrous first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, the Browns have come into their own. From the second half against Pittsburgh through taking a 16-3 lead over the Saints on Sunday, the Browns outscored their two opponents 40-6.
Three things we learned:
1. The Browns aren’t pushovers
Tashaun Gipson's 62-yard pick-six was a big play, but even beyond that, the defense did an excellent job covering the Saints' deep receiving corps (Graham excluded) and harassing Brees. The offense found a rhythm in the second half.
Brian Hoyer is Brian Hoyer, but the team should remain competitive as long as he continues to be safe with the football. The Browns are developing a nice running game with Ben Tate out. Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West combined for 122 yards rushing in what is becoming a strong thunder-and-lightning combo.
2. Free Mark Ingram
We know the Saints like to run their offensive skill positions by committee, but perhaps it's time that they allow Mark Ingram have a starring role. Once regarded as an obvious bust, Ingram has been excellent in his last four games with the Saints, going back to last season's Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Sunday, Ingram averaged 7.5 yards per carry on his way to 83 yards on the ground, compared to 47 yards combined on 11 carries between Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas.
3. We don’t know anything about anything
The NFL is a weird place. It was easy to make obvious jokes about the Browns during that first half against the Steelers, but the team may now be on its way to a much better season than many expected in Mike Pettine's first season. Elsewhere around the NFL, teams that looked excellent in Week 1 -- like, the Dolphins, Titans, Vikings, Falcons and Lions -- are all heading for bad losses.
Just another reminder that parity is out in full form this season.
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