Game notes: New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns

The win moves New Orleans’ all-time record against the Browns to 5-13 and gives the Saints the first win over Cleveland since the 2006 season

Sep 17, 2018 at 07:58 AM

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints vs Cleveland Browns - Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 - Mercedes-Benz Superdome - Saints Postgame Notes

With the win, New Orleans improves their record to 1-1 and it marks the franchise's 350th regular season win, the first regular season win with Gayle Benson as Owner. The Saints return to action on Sunday, Sept. 23 when they play the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. CST. The game will be aired on FOX (WVUE-FOX 8 in the New Orleans area).
Today's win over the AFC Browns gives the Saints their fourth consecutive interconference win. The last time the Saints had four straight interconference wins was when they swept the AFC North slate in 2011.
The win, moves New Orleans' all-time record against the Browns to 5-13 and gives the Saints the first win over Cleveland since the 2006 season-opening 19-14 victory at Cleveland Browns Stadium and their first home win against them since a 25-20 victory on October 14, 1990.
The Saints currently have a streak of 258 regular season games without having been shut out, dating back to a 26-20 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 6, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium, the longest running current streak in the National Football League.
Head Coach Sean Payton has 113 career victories (regular season and postseason), putting him in sole possession of 39th place on the all-time list surpassing John Madden.
With the win against Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson, Sean Payton now has regular season and postseason wins against 56 different head coaches.
Quarterback Drew Brees, started the game on a perfect seven for seven passing. Brees completed 28-of-35 passes for a total of 243 yards, two touchdowns and a 114.6-passer rating. Brees played in his 251st career game today, moving him into a tie for 41st in NFL record books with Atlanta's Mike Kenn (1978-94). He also started his 250th career game today.
In setting up kicker Wil Lutz's game-winning 44-yard field goal, Brees completed two-of-four passes for 50 yards, including a 42-yard connection with wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. for the 42nd fourth quarter/overtime game-winning drive of his career.
Running back Alvin Kamara received the start for the second consecutive week and rushed for 46 yards on thirteen carries and a fourth quarter successful two-point conversion. Kamara also finished the game with six catches for 53 yards for a total of 100 total yards from scrimmage.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas finished with a team-high 12 catches for 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Thomas' two touchdowns marks the 17th time Brees and Thomas have connected for a touchdown. Thomas moves into a tie for seventh place on the list with wide receiver Devery Henderson in Brees touchdowns connections. Thomas also set an NFL record with 28 receptions in the first two games of a season, surpassing Andre Rison (26-1994).
Ginn hauled in the Saints longest catch of the day with the reception he turned into a 42-yard gain in the fourth quarter. Ginn Jr. finished with four catches for a total of 55 yards.
Tight end Benjamin Watson recorded three catches for a total of 19 yards, becoming the 14th player in NFL record books among tight ends with 500 career receptions.
Linebackers Demario Davis and A.J. Klein both started led the Saints defense with a total of nine tackles each.
Defensive end Cameron Jordan played in his 115th consecutive game today and overall, the second-longest games played streak for defensive ends behind Carolina's Julius Peppers. He finished the game with two tackles and two sacks. Jordan became only the fifth Saint with 60 career quarterback takedowns, joining linebacker Rickey Jackson (115), defensive lineman Wayne Martin (82.5), linebacker Pat Swilling (76.5) and defensive end Will Smith (67.5). Jordan has now dropped 26 different quarterbacks in his career in the regular season. With Tyrod Taylor added to the group.
Defensive end Sheldon Rankins recorded the Saints' first sack of the season, creating a takedown for a one-yard loss. Rankins finished with five total tackles and two hits on the quarterback.
Cornerback Ken Crawley finished the game with four total tackles (three solo), including a fourth down stop in the second quarter.
Safety Marcus Williams recorded two tackles and an interception with a 22-yard return, late in the fourth quarter, marking the Saints first takeaway of the season.
Quarterback Taysom Hill had a 47-yard kick return midway through the third quarter.
Lutz drilled a 31-yard field goal and a game-winning 44-yard kick put the Saints ahead 21-18 with 55 seconds left in the contest.
Punter Thomas Morstead punted four times for 179 total yards (44.8 avg.) with a long of 56 yards and two inside-the-20-yard line. Morstead now has over 25,000 gross punting yards for his career. Morstead played in his 144th career game today, putting him in a tie for 15th place on the club's all-time games played list.