Key Ingredients to Victory: Saints vs. Browns | 2026 NFL Week 9

The New Orleans Saints host the Cleveland Browns in Week 9 seeking to rebound from a 2-5 start. Following their bye week, the Saints made changes by dismissing run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti and releasing kicker Daniel Carlson. Writer John DeShazier outlines that New Orleans must fix persistent issues in both the offensive and defensive ground games at the Caesars Superdome.

With running backs Travis Etienne and CJ Donaldson ruled out, Audric Estimé joins Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller in the rotation. Defensively, DeShazier argues that pass rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson must pressure Browns starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders, while newly elevated kicker Charlie Smyth needs to provide consistent field goal accuracy.