New Orleans Saints vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats On Sep 14, 2014

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 14, 2014

Browns 26, Saints 24: Billy Cundiff drilled a 29-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as host Cleveland gave Mike Pettine his first win as the team's coach.

Starting the drive on the Browns' own 4-yard line and trailing 24-23, Brian Hoyer (24-of-40, 204 yards) converted three straight third-down opportunities before connecting with Andrew Hawkins on a 28-yard pass to advance to the New Orleans 11. Cundiff capped the 14-play drive to help Cleveland (1-1) snap an eight-game losing streak.

Drew Brees (27-of-40, 237 yards) tossed two touchdown passes to tight end Jimmy Graham and surpassed Hall-of-Famer John Elway for fourth place on the league's career passing list. Graham reeled in 10 receptions for 118 yards for the Saints, who fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2007.

Rookie Terrance West scored from nine yards out and Hoyer threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin, who matched Hawkins with six catches. Safety Tashaun Gipson returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown.

West rushed off tackle before cutting inside and bolting into the end zone with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter to give Cleveland a 23-17 lead. New Orleans answered on its following possession, with Graham's 20-yard reception setting up Mark Ingram's short touchdown over right tackle 2:48 into the fourth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Needing only 62 yards, Brees moved past Elway (51,475) late in the second quarter. Brees has 51,651 yards passing in his career. ... Cleveland seized a 16-3 lead as LB Paul Kruger hit the shoulder of Brees, whose high throw was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Gipson. ... Browns rookie QB Johnny Manziel entered the game in the third quarter and executed a read-option handoff to RB Isaiah Crowell. Manziel also attempted a pass, but it was dropped.