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Monday 17 SepteMber 2018
Saints narrowly prolong Browns' winless streak 21-18

By BRETT MARTEL a season-opening tie with GOOD KAMARA
AP Sports Writer Pittsburgh. His final miss Alvin Kamara, the 2017 of-
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew came from 52 yards. fensive rookie of the year,
Brees and the New Orleans "It snowballed," Gonza- continued to be a bright
Saints needed less than 10 lez said, acknowledging spot in a largely frustrat-
minutes to obliterate what the psychological effect ing day for New Orleans'
looked like a milestone of earlier misses that he offense. His seemingly slip-
victory for the seemingly hooked left before pushing pery running style contin-
cursed Cleveland Browns. his final miss the other way. ued to produce yards after
Wil Lutz kicked a 44-yard "I was overcompensating. contact and he wound up
field goal with 21 seconds I get paid to make those with 99 yards from scrim-
left, Cleveland kicker Zane kicks and I have to make mage, including 53 on six
Gonzalez pushed the sec- them." catches.
ond of his two missed field Gonzalez's tough day His run for a late 2-point
goals wide right in the final represented only a por- conversion gave the Saints
seconds, and the Saints tion of Cleveland's implo- an 18-12 lead and made
held on for a 21-18 victory sion. Defensive back Der- a difference after Taylor
that extended the Browns' rick Kindred's defensive found rookie receiver Anto-
winless streak to 19 games. holding penalty on what nio Callaway for a 47-yard,
"These are games that we would have been a third- all-or-nothing TD heave on
find we find our identity a down sack extended New fourth-and-5 with 1:16 to
little bit," Brees said, allud- Orleans' first touchdown go.
ing to New Orleans' inabil- drive, which ended with Gonzalez missed a point-
ity to score more than three Thomas' 2-yard catch and after kick for the second
points until the first of Mi- cut Cleveland's lead to 12- time, and Brees' 42-yard
chael Thomas' two touch- 10. completion to Ted Ginn Jr.
down catches with 8:41 to With just less than five min- set up Lutz' go-ahead kick.
go. "These are games that, utes left, Saints safety Mar- TURNOVERS
hey, you didn't have your cus Williams intercepted Ty- The Browns, who forced six
best stuff, but you found a rod Taylor in Cleveland ter- turnovers against Pittsburgh
way." ritory on a pass Taylor threw in Week 1, recovered two
With the help of another back over the middle as he more fumbles when Thom-
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, left, scores Cleveland collapse. was rolling to his right. as and Ginn were both
a touchdown over Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward Gonzalez also missed two "You never want to throw stripped after receptions.
during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, extra points, one week af- late down the middle," Tay- Browns defensive tackle
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. ter his potential winning lor said. Larry Ogunjobi sacked
Associated Press
field goal was blocked in "That's something I need to Brees twice and would
be better at. That play was have had a third if not for
not good for us. You can't Kindred's penalty.
put your team in that situ- Overall, it was a strong
ation." showing for the unit
The turnover led to New coached by coordinator
Orleans' second TD on a Gregg Williams, who held
5-yard fade to Thomas, who the same job in New Or-
said he was determined to leans when the Saints won
make up for his fumble ear- their only Super Bowl.
lier in the game. Thomas INJURIES
outjumped two defenders Browns: Safety Damarious
to make the catch. Randall received treat-
"Enough was enough," ment on the field after be-
Thomas said. "I needed ing in on a tackle in the
to respond and help my second quarter.
teammates, and that's Saints: Tommylee Lewis re-
what I did. And I still owe ceived treatment for what
them." the club described as a
Brees finished 28 for 35 for knee injury after a big hit
243 yards and two TDs for during a punt return in the
New Orleans (1-1). Thomas second quarter.
caught 12 passes for 89 He was listed as question-
yards. able to return to the game.
Taylor was 22 of 30 for 246 ... Defensive tackle Sheldon
yards, one TD and one in- Rankins left in the fourth
terception. Jarvis Landry quarter after taking a hit
had five catches for 69 to the head. He said after
yards, and Carlos Hyde the game his face mask
scored on a 1-yard TD run. was pushed into his nose
It wasn't enough for the but that he did not have a
Browns (0-1-1), who were concussion.q
very close to starting 2-0.
"It's tough, but we got a
lot of football left to play,"
Landry said.