A sluggish game between the Browns and Saints turned into one of the most exciting on Sunday's slate as both offenses started to catch fire late.
Shedeur Sanders, starting in place of an injured Deshaun Watson, managed two big-play touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and beyond, finding KC Concepcion for 64 yards in the fourth quarter and Harold Fannin Jr. for 39 yards in overtime, but the day came down to a two-point conversion for the Browns.
After coach Todd Monken opted to go for two rather than settle for a tie at best, Sanders and the Browns missed their shot to win.
Here's a look at the sequence.
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Shedeur Sanders' failed two-point try
Monken made the decision many coaches have making in this scenario, opting to go for two points and the win in overtime rather than attempting a game-tying extra point that would make a tie the best-case scenario for his team.
The risk, of course, is taking a loss that is worse than a tie. The Browns found themselves on the losing end of that bet on Sunday, as Sanders' pass targeting Denzel Boston was incomplete:
Saints defense holds strong on the two-point conversion to secure the win! 😤 (via @NFL) https://t.co/kwY5BCOBlb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 8, 2026The play wouldn't have counted anyway, as Tytus Howard was called for holding. The Saints declined, but the Browns would have had to attempt a much more difficult play if the pass was complete to Boston.
The Browns' decision is understandable, but a tie would've been enough to push Cleveland into a playoff spot through nine weeks in the event of a Patriots loss on Sunday. By losing, the Browns will enter Week 10 out of the playoff picture at 5-4.
Sanders finished his first start of the season 19-of-31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns, with the bulk of that production coming between the second half and overtime.
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