Photo By: Michael C. Hebert
The New Orleans Saints delivered an impressive performance Sunday, defeating the Cleveland Browns 35-14 at the Caesars Superdome. The victory not only marks the Saints’ fourth win of the season but also highlights significant milestones and contributions from key players across the roster.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
The Saints’ offense exploded for a season-high 473 total yards, fueled by a balanced attack that featured strong performances in both the air and on the ground. Quarterback Derek Carr orchestrated a stellar outing, completing 21-of-27 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, achieving a season-best 129.6 passer rating. Carr’s precise passing and leadership extended his career total to 255 touchdown passes, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen for 22nd in NFL history.
Tight end Taysom Hill put on a historic show, accumulating a career-high 230 all-purpose yards. Hill not only rushed for three touchdowns but also caught eight passes for 50 yards and contributed on special teams with a 42-yard kickoff return. Hill's three-touchdown performance elevated him to ninth place on the Saints’ all-time career touchdown list with 44 scores. His versatility drew comparisons to Kansas City legend Ed Podolak, who achieved a similar feat in 1971.
Defensively, linebacker Demario Davis led the charge with a season-high 13 tackles, surpassing 750 career stops as a Saint. Rookie defensive tackle Bryan Bresee also shined, tallying 1.5 sacks to become the team leader with 5.5 sacks on the season.
Milestones and Achievements
The Saints improved their all-time record against the Browns to 7-13 and evened the series at 4-4 at the Caesars Superdome. Additionally, the team extended its winning streak against Cleveland to three games, dating back to 2018.
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi made history, becoming only the second Saints head coach to win his first two games, alongside Sean Payton. The victory also marked the team’s first winning record in November since 2020, with a 2-1 mark this month.
Carr’s performance added to a growing list of milestones. He connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a 71-yard touchdown bomb and later found Juwan Johnson for a one-yard score, marking back-to-back games with a passing play over 60 yards — a feat not accomplished by the Saints since 2014.
Looking Ahead
The Saints (4-7) head into a well-earned Week 12 bye before returning to action on December 1 against the Los Angeles Rams at the Caesars Superdome. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT, with regional coverage on FOX (locally on WVUE FOX 8).
While challenges remain in their quest to climb the NFC standings, the Saints have shown resilience and potential. With standout performances from players like Carr, Hill, and Davis, New Orleans has reasons to remain optimistic as the season progresses.
Fans can look forward to seeing the Saints build on this momentum when they take on the Rams, hoping to secure another home victory in front of their passionate fanbase.