BEREA, Ohio — After their Week 10 bye, the Browns travel to New Orleans in Week 11 to take on the Saints.
This season, both teams have faced injuries and adversity, and that’s hard to predict between two teams with losing records. The Browns are 2-7 while the Saints are 3-7, coming off a 20-17 win over the Falcons last week after losing seven straight games.
Here are several key scenarios to know ahead of the match, along with my predictions for each:
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw three interceptions in his last game. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
1. Jameis Winston protects the football
In his two starts this season, the Browns QB has dropped five potential interceptions – three in Cleveland’s win over the Ravens in Week 8 and two in the loss to the Chargers in Week 9 – plus of his three real ones in the second half. interceptions in this 27-10 loss to the Chargers.
He will face an interesting challenge against his former team.
The Saints are currently ranked 29th in pass defense, but they are fourth with 12 interceptions and will look to add to that total this week. Eight different players have picked up INTs this season.
Prediction: Knowing this is Winston’s old team, I suspect he’ll be a little more excited, and I think that might make him prone to making more mistakes as he looks to make plays explosives on the ground.
Given that the Saints are already getting the ball, I would expect him to throw at least one pick on Sunday.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is still waiting for his first interception of the year. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
2. Can the Browns defense draw conclusions?
Cleveland’s defense has found ways to disrupt this season, but the takeaways have proven ever elusive, especially interceptions.
The Browns defense only has one, and that lone pick came from linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah against the Commanders six weeks ago.
Cleveland is just one of two teams in the NFL, the other being the New York Giants, to have just one interception.
Prediction: The disruptions were there.
While Denzel Ward is still looking for his top pick of the year (along with every other Cleveland DB), he currently leads the NFL with 15 passes defended.
“That’s a good question,” Ward said this week when asked how many picks should be made. “I should have, that’s for sure. I should have had some. I have to find a way to leave with them, so I don’t know the exact number, but I still have to find a way to get them back.
Derek Carr is a savvy veteran QB, and while he’s thrown four total picks this year in seven games, he hasn’t thrown any in his last two, since returning from a three-game absence due of oblique tension.
It will be a tough task, but considering how close Ward and the other DBs have been this year, I think they could end their interception-free streak this week.
Can the Cleveland Browns and defensive end Myles Garrett turn things around at the end of the bye week? John Kuntz, cleveland.com
3. Checking the ambiance
The Browns are healthier all year, and considering the bye week, they should be well-rested.
Only rookie DT Michael Hall Jr., who was added late to the injury report Thursday with a knee injury, is listed as out for Cleveland.
But at 2-7, anything really is possible – especially since their opponent followed a similar trajectory.
So, can the Browns turn things around and get a win on the road?
Prediction: My gut tells me yes, because history is on their side here.
Again, anything can happen, but Kevin Stefanski’s teams are 3-1 in post-bye games (their only loss came against the Dolphins in 2022).
The Browns haven’t done much to inspire confidence this year, but neither has a Saints team that’s more beaten up.
I’m going to Cleveland, from the 17th to the 14th.
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