CLEVELAND — The New Orleans Saints rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Browns 17-10 on a frigid Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Browns came into the game with very slim playoff hopes, needing to win out and hope for a lot of help. But with the loss, Cleveland has not officially been eliminated from the playoffs and Kevin Stefanski's team is guaranteed a losing season.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Cleveland finally put a dent in the scoring column.
The Browns were set up with great field position thanks to an interception by Grant Delpit that he returned 40 yards to give the offense the ball at the New Orleans 30.
Cleveland (6-9) would waste no time exploiting the turnover, as Deshaun Watson would scamper 12 yards for the game's first score. Cade York would add the extra point and the Browns lead 7-0 just five second into the second quarter.
York and Wil Lutz traded field goals to make the score 10-3 in favor of the Browns at halftime.
New Orleans (6-9) would control the third quarter as Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara would both record rushing touchdowns, and the defense would hold the Browns to just 49 yards to take a 17-10 lead heading into the final quarter.
Watson and the Browns would mount one final attempt to tie the game, as the veteran quarterback would lead his team to the Saints 15 in the final minute.
On third down, tight end David Njoku would let a touchdown pass slip through his hands and on the fourth down play, Watson would be sacked on by Carl Granderson to slam the door shut on Cleveland postseason hopes.
Watson struggled in the blustery conditions, going 15 of 31 for 135 yards and fell to 2-2 as a starter since returning from his 11-game suspension for sexual misconduct allegations.
The Browns' rushing defense was a problem once again as the Saints piled up 152 yards on the ground.
The temperature at kickoff was 6 degrees, making it the coldest regular-season game in Cleveland history. Only the Browns’ 1981 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders was worse, as the temperature at kickoff registered at 1 degree.
As for New Orleans, it was the coldest game in franchise history.
New Orleans 0 3 14 0 = 17
Cleveland 0 10 0 0 = 10
Second Quarter CLE—Deshaun Watson 12 run (Cade York kick), 14:55. CLE—Cade York 30 field goal, 4:07. NO—Wil Lutz 23 field goal, 0:00. Third Quarter NO—Taysom Hill 8 run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:40. NO—Alvin Kamara 4 run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:55.
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