The Cleveland Browns have developed an effective formula for victory, even if it can be a little dangerous and leaves a lot to be desired. They are able to keep their games close and then find a way to get a win with fourth down Deshaun Watson in the rally.
As evidenced in last Sunday’s 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it doesn’t work every time. But now Cleveland might try something different.
ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi revealed one key stat that could favor the Browns in Week 9, pointing out that the rival New Orleans Saints are a worse first quarter team than they are.
“The Browns’ Week 9 game against the Saints will pit two teams off to the slowest starts in the NFL. Cleveland, 31st in the league, scored 13 points in the first quarter. Only New Orleans scored fewer points in the first quarter (6),” Oyefusi wrote.
The Browns’ Week 9 road game against the Saints will pit two of the slowest starting teams in the NFL against each other.
Cleveland’s 13 points in the first quarter is 31st in the league. Only New Orleans scored fewer points in the first quarter (6).
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 3, 2026
Cleveland has been outscored 65-13 in the first quarter this season, a minus-52 margin, worst in the NFL. New Orleans was outscored 44-6 by a margin of minus 38 points.
Both teams were better in the second quarter, with the Browns scoring 53 points in eight games and the Saints scoring 47 points in seven contests. It’s worth noting that New Orleans scored 103 points in the second half, which is ninth in the league and could make it very difficult for Cleveland to pull off another comeback if it’s the way it’s forced to be.
Watson has led the fourth-quarter scoring rush in every Browns win this season. Three of those games were won by goals from Andre Szmyt, and Cleveland’s 16-point overall margin of victory was the lowest ever for a 5-2 team this century.
With the Browns a 1.5 point bet, this is projected to be another close game that could benefit Cleveland. Only one of New Orleans’ games has been decided by less than six points, so the Saints may not be familiar enough with this situation to be successful.
After playing their third straight road game, the Browns will return home to face the Houston Texans in Week 10.
NEXT:
Browns Tight End Just Cracked Notable Top Five List