By In a game that felt like a defensive grind and a relentless field-goal fest for the first three quarters, the Cleveland Browns ultimately fell 23–22 to the New Orleans Saints in overtime. The loss drops Cleveland to 5–4, leaving them to ponder a litany of missed opportunities.
While several core playmakers delivered heroic individual efforts to drag Cleveland back into the game, a glaring absence of pass-rush production continues to undermine the defense's long-term ceiling.
Here are the studs and duds from the Week 9 heartbreak in the Big Easy.
Studs
LB Carson Schwesinger
Battling through lingering injuries, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year proved once again that he is built different.
Carson Schwesinger punches the ball loose for a Browns takeaway!
CLEvsNO on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/t5eYGIrmOM— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
Schwesinger delivered a Herculean performance, pacing the defense with 15 total tackles, two sacks, and a game-altering forced fumble inside the 5-yard line that kept New Orleans out of the end zone in the first half. Schwesinger embodies everything a franchise wants in a middle linebacker: elite instincts, relentless motor, and unmatched heart.
WR KC Concepcion
After pulling up with a limp in the second half, the rookie wideout showed immense toughness by limping back onto the field to finish the game.
KC CONCEPCION. 64-YARDS.
🔸 First NFL TD
🔸 Covered a total distance of 102.3 yards
🔸 Hit a max speed of 19.88 MPH(via @NextGenStats)
CLEvsNO on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on #NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Er45T6JubU— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 8, 2026
When he returned, he made the play of the afternoon to notch his first career NFL touchdown. Adjusting on the fly, Concepcion slowed down to secure an underthrown deep ball, re-accelerated, and out-maneuvered the safety across the field to waltz into the end zone.
CB Myles Harden
Two sacks in a single game is an outstanding stat line for any defender, but for a cornerback, it’s downright game-changing. While Harden endured a few tough reps in man coverage, his value as a blitzing weapon off the edge was unmatched.
He repeatedly timed his rushes to crash the backfield, getting the Saints behind the chains and giving Cleveland’s defense opportunities to get off the field.
TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin continues to give this coaching staff every reason to make him the primary focal point of the passing game. Despite not recording a single catch through the first 60 minutes of regulation, he made his presence felt when it mattered most in overtime.
HAROLD FANNIN GOES BEASTMODE! pic.twitter.com/wO5EDBSO8e
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
On the final scoring play of the day, Fannin caught a short pass, broke two tackles in space, and rumbled 39 yards to the house for a go-ahead touchdown.
Duds
EDGE Jared Verse
Another week in the books, and a secondary streak is officially underway. Verse has now gone nine consecutive games to open the season without recording a single sack, and he has now posted three straight games without logging a solo tackle.
For a supposed high-profile pass rusher expected to anchor the perimeter of this defense, his ongoing disappearing act is beyond concerning; it has become a massive structural flaw for Cleveland's front seven.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Studs and Duds from the Browns' Week 9 loss to the Saints
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/studs-duds-browns-week-9-022430644.html
