Throughout today's game, you can get the latest observations and news from the stadium and around the NFL right here.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers indicated that they were a lot more like the team that was dominated by the Browns in last Sunday's second half than the juggernaut that shredded the Brown and Orange in the first 30 minutes.
So whither the Browns today? The organized and assertive group that could/should have won in Heinz Field? Or the team that only matched its ineffective offense with a defense that wouldn't have won a tag game?
Welcome to the renewal of the live in-game blog, which for the last few years has provided you with the latest info and opinions from cleveland.com and Plain Dealer reporters and columnists at First Energy Stadium along with commentary around the league. As always, you're welcome to comment below, or in our non-stop chat room right here.
We have updates after pretty much every possession, so just refresh your browser to follow along.
4:38 p.m.: From Terry Bradshaw on Fox: "God Bless Brian Hoyer. The entire city of Cleveland is waiting for Johnny Manziel, but I tell you ... you can make a lot more plays from the pocket. You can make Wow from outside the pocket, but you can ... have a lot more of an NFL offense from the pocket."
4:36 p.m.: From Tom Reed's quick analysis of today's victory:
"Lost in the excitement over the Browns' final drive was the sack by Karlos Dansby that knocked the Saints out of field-goal range on their last possession. The Tashaun Gipson pick six was obviously the biggest defensive play, but Dansby's sack ranks right up there."
4:29 p.m.: From NFL.com's quick recap of the Browns' victory:
"Cleveland's offense was shorthanded without Jordan Cameron in the lineup. Brian Hoyer struggled to develop chemistry with his remaining targets, throwing for just 5.0 yards per pass. Nobody in Cleveland will care about his numbers, though, after the widely dismissed starter led the Browns on a gutsy 14-play, 85-yard drive capped by Billy Cundiff's 29-yard game-winning field goal."
4:25 p.m.: Pettine calls Hoyer's fourth-down completion to Gary Barnidge on the final drive his best pass of the day. He credits the officials' handling of the Miles Austin catch on the Saints sideline, and that he was going to run another play if the clock had remained at eight seconds -- it was eventually reset to 0:15.
He defended using Haden against Graham -- "our best against their best. Give him credit for making plays."
4:22 p.m.: "I couldn't be more proud," says Mike Pettine in the post-game press conference. "I have a big old cigar waiting for me. ... I know I represent this group, but this was a Cleveland Browns win. It was a win for the city."
4:17 p.m.: Final stats ...
Hoyer 24-of-40 for 204 yards. Brees 27-of-40 for 237 with one very costly interception.
West (68 yards) and Crowell (54) combine for 124 yards. The Saints' trio of Ingram, Robinson and Thomas have 130.
4:14 p.m.: How many suicide pool entrants are screaming across the country? Feel that low rumble?
Sarcasm alert, Part II
Final: Browns 26, Saints 24
4:08 p.m.: Browns squib the kickoff. Khiry Robinson scrambles to the New Orleans 40, tries to lateral and Browns WR Marlon Moore falls on the ball to end the game.
Browns 26, Saints 24, 0:03 left in fourth quarter
4:06 p.m.: Ruling of a catch stands, with Austin getting out of bounds with 15 seconds. Browns have one timeout, needing another 10 yards. Hoyer's pass knocked down by Ramon Humber on a blitz with 13 seconds. On second down, Hoyer finds a wide open Hawkins at the 15, who catches the lob and is tackled at the 11. Browns call final timeout.
Saints called for illegal contact, declined.
Cundiff's 29-yard field goal good with three seconds left.
4:01 p.m.: Browns need about 30 yards. Where's Jordan Cameron?
On second-and-10, Hoyer sacked at the 30 by Junior Galette. Hoyer to Gabriel at the 37 and it's fourth-and-7 with 0:38 left.
After a timeout, Hoyer hits Barnidge for a first down at the 48. Austin makes a grab on a Hoyer rollout to the left at the Saints 39, and play is under review with eight seconds left.
3:56 p.m.: With so little speed on the roster, it almost seems inevitable that the Browns might try to get Benjamin on a seam route somewhere.
On first down, Hoyer is incomplete to Austin. So many short patterns. On second down, Hoyer to Gabriel gets eight on a bubble screen to the 25. Hoyer to Austin gets a first down at the 34 with Keenan Lewis making a big play-saving tackle. Bubble to Gabriel for nothing and Browns call first timeout with 1:08 left.
3:52 p.m.: "All right, here we go everybody," says Jim Donovan.
From the 4, Hoyer is well short of Hawkins with pressure in his face. On second down, West loses two yards as the Saints read the formation and were slanting hard to the left. But Saints are called for offside and it's second-and-5.
West up the middle for four. On third-and-1, Austin gets the first down at the 17 doing a good job of sealing off the Saints defender to grab the pass.
Two-minute warning ... do the Browns have a big play somewhere to get into field goal range?
3:47 p.m.: The hopes of the opener are squarely on the defense. Brees hits Brandin Cooks against Gilbert for 13. Ingram for three on a delay. On second-and-7, Brees finds Graham (10th catch) at the 37 against the zone.
Kruger knocks down Brees' pass to Watson in the right flat. On second-and-10, good pressure forces a throwaway at the feet of Ingram. On third-and-10, Brees to Meacham at the Browns 48 (against Haden) for 15 yards.
Robinson for four yards. Clock ticking under six minutes. In I formation, FB Austin Johnson gets eight up the middle and a first down at the 37. Robinson gets two over the left side. Rollout toss to Cooks gets three. On third-and-5 with clock under four minutes, Saints call timeout with 3:36 left.
Where's Graham? Browns blitz seven and Dansby sacks Brees at the 40. Saints must punt, but great coverage and the Saints touch the ball down at the Cleveland 4 with 2:46 left.
3:37 p.m.: After touchback, Browns at 20. Hoyer to Benjamin on a quick out good for six. On second-and-4, Crowell gets three. On third-and-1, Browns fake reverse to Benjamin and Crowell up the middle gets five and the first down.
Hoyer to Hawkins for 11 to the 45. On first down, Crowell gets two up the middle. West replaces Crowell. Hoyer hit by a blitzing linebacker and overthrows Austin at the Saints 45. On third-and-8, Saints show blitz and a short toss to Barnidge gets five to the Saints 48.
Browns think about going for it, but Lanning comes out. Jarius Byrd makes the fair catch at the New Orleans 10.
Does the defense have enough to stop Brees?
Saints 24, Browns 23, 12:12 left in fourth quarter
3:29 p.m.: So how do the Browns try to control Graham in the final quarter? On second-and-7, Brees hits Meacham for a first down at the Browns 38. Saints decline hands to the face penalty on Ahtyba Rubin.
Browns need a big play -- or some pressure. Pierre Thomas for seven on a trap over the middle. On second-and-3, Ingram powers left for eight to the Browns 23. Browns really giving up easy running yardage.
Browns blitz two and Brees throws incomplete as he's hit by Desmond Bryant and Craig Robertson. Graham on Haden again, and the Browns CB is hopelessly mismatched and Graham grabs the ball at the 3. That's nine catches for 107 yards for Graham.
Ingram to the 1 on first down. No huddle, and Ingram scores standing up against what looks to be a very fatigued defense.
Graham's PAT gives the Saints the lead again.
Browns 23, Saints 17, end of third quarter
3:22 p.m.: After touchback, Saints get the ball at their 20, and Browns get a boost from the locker room.
Robinson gets three as Rubin drags him down. Brees to Still gets six and it's third down and one. Saints go to a jumbo lineup and an I formation, Robinson squeezes to the 31 for the first down.
Gilbert back on the field. On first down, another jet sweep for Cooks, but Browns play it much better, Kruger holds the edge and Dansby limits the gain to three yards. Brees scrambles long enough for Jimmy Graham to find room against Dansby for 15 yards to the Saints 48. Ingram for two yards to the 50 as the quarter ends.
Browns 23, Saints 17, 3:19 left in third quarter
3:15 p.m.: Without a lead or momentum, how do the Browns react?
Isaiah Crowell running hard off the right side for nine yards. Crowell gets the first down on a short gain over the middle. Manziel back. In the pistol, Saints pour through to stop Crowell for a loss of two. On second down, Manziell scrambles left, finds Ray Agnew, but the fullback drops the ball at the 36.
Hoyer back in, hits Barnidge at the 40. The tight end falls over the 40, and the measurement gets the first down by less than an inch.
On first down just over the Browns 40, West gets four over the left side. Browns flagged for 12 men in the huddle -- Ray Agnew was the violator.
Hoyer to Miles Austin for eight. On third-and-4, Hoyer to Austin again as the veteran did a nice hook just beyond the sticks at the Saints 48.
Crowell bangs for seven. Crowell had four over the right side, but saw a hole left and gets 15 yards to the 23. West back in, and gets four on first down. On second down, Hoyer rolls right and finds Hawkins for a first down at the 9.
Saints have eight in the box and West gets a yard. On second-and-goal, West starts left, cuts right and breaks two arm tackles as he reaches the end zone.
Browns elect not to go for two, and Cundiff boots the PAT.
Saints 17, Browns 16, 9:32 left in third quarter
3:01 p.m.: Ingram gets a dumpoff from Brees, beats Kruger in the open field and then crosses diagonally for 10 yards. Ingram again to the 8, as he cut back against an over-pursuing defense. On first-and-goal, Ahtyba Rubin stops Ingram for two yards. On second down, Brees to Kenny Stills gets to the 1 with Whitner knocking him out of bounds before he reaches the pylon.
Saints call timeout to help replay officials look at the play. There's no replay, and on third-and-goal from the 1, Brees rolls right and hits Graham for the TD. Graham was in motion and the Browns were late getting to him after the snap of the ball.
Graham's PAT gives the Saints the lead.
2:55 p.m.: Saints with a chance to take the lead with another good drive.
Ingram for six up the middle. Brees has plenty of time, but overthrows Graham (Haden covering) at the Browns 42. Browns bring in their top pass rushers ... Brees hits Graham over the middle against Skrine to the 36 as Justin Gilbert is down with apparent shoulder injury on the tackle.
2:51 p.m.: Marlon Moore returns to the 22, but holding called on Jim Leonhard and drive starts at the 15.
Nice cutback by West gets nine yards, and get gets the first down on the next snap. Browns back in no-huddle -- Hoyer and Hawkins aren't together on a incomplete pass. IN COMES JOHNNY MANZIEL in the pistol. Crowell takes the handoff for three yards. Hoyer back on third-and-7 (isn't that just a disruptive play for the offense?) and hits Hawkins for a first down, but holding on Joe Thomas against Cameron Jordan negates a 23-yard gain.
Hoyer overthrows Hawkins -- now 2-of-9 on third downs today.
Lanning punt to Cooks is fair caught at the Saints 33.
2:44 p.m.: As the teams line up for the kickoff, an interesting tidbit:
2:39 p.m.: From Bud Shaw after an entertaining first half:
"This half ended one debate. The Browns showed up as the same team – or at least the same defense – we saw in the second half in Pittsburgh.
"Early, the Saints had just one good drive that ended in a field goal. But even on that drive, Brees didn't find much room to throw. Then just before half, with the Browns playing soft, Brees sped up the attack and moved 85 yards in 12 plays. He connected with Jimmy Graham on a fade in the corner of the end zone.
"Even more so than it did Sunday, that Pittsburgh game now feels like one that got away."
Browns 16, Saints 10, halftime
2:31 p.m.: Without timeouts, having a veteran QB is a nice luxury here. At the Browns 44 right tackle Zach Strief jump. Brees to Graham gets six. On third-and-5, it's Graham again for a first down at the 32, and then Graham again at the Brown 19. Another target, but Graham drops the ball with 27 seconds left.
On second-and-10, Brees looks for Meacham in the right corner, but the throw is wide right with Donte Whitner in coverage (and narrowly beaten). On third down, Meacham beats the Browns zone over the middle for a first down at the 9. Brees spikes the ball with eight seconds left.
One play before a field goal -- Browns might want to think about covering the tight end. Browns call timeout after seeing the Saints' formation of trips right and Graham on the left side.
Saints line Graham wide right against Haden -- 6-7 vs. 5-11, and a looping throw to Graham is good for the touchdown with three seconds left. Haden's only chance was to swipe the ball loose, but Graham kept a tight grip.
Browns cover the squib kick and the clock runs out.
Browns 16, Saints 3, 1:56 left in second quarter
2:21 p.m.: Good coverage by the Browns special teams and Saints start at their 15.
Graham adds 15 yards with hard running after what could/should have been just eight yards on a flip from Brees. At the 38, Thomas gets four with Dansby absorbing him on the tackle. No timeouts for Saints, Brees boots right and finds Kenny Still in front of Haden at the Browns 44.
Two-minute warning.
Sarcasm alert.
Browns 16, Saints 3, 3:25 left in second quarter
2:17 p.m.: Ingram gets 14 and Saints are having running success. At the 43, Brees overthrows Graham with pressure from Kruger, Gipson intercepts at the Browns 37 and scoots down the left sideline for a touchdown.
Lanning mishandles a high snap on the PAT, rolls right but comes up two yards short of the goal line.
2:14 p.m.: Browns start at 20 after touchback.
Haden slammed by blitzing Corey White on first down for a incompletion, then dancing West gets a yard. On third-and-9, Cameron Jordan knocked down Hoyer's throw for the shortest and least effective drive of the game.
Cooks on punt return does a lot of dancing and loses three yards back to the New Orleans 32.
Browns 10, Saints 3, 5:16 left in second quarter
2:09 p.m.: Pierre Thomas on a wheel route gets 11 yards to the 29. Until that play, Brees had just 13 yards passing. Ingram has lots of room over the left side for 26 yards to the Browns 42. Injury timeout as Haden on the turf with apparent right leg cramp. He's up and heading off the field almost before the commercials begin.
But the Saints finally have something cooking. This jambalaya continues with a Brandin Cooks jet sweep left to the Browns 17. Browns were slow to react other than Sheard, who was trailing the play.
Browns called for 12 men on the field. First-and-5 at the Browns 12. Brees scrambles for three after not finding anyone open. On second-and-2 at the 9, Khiry Robinson gets a foot as Tashaun Gipson fills the hole. On third-and-1, Dansby denies a short toss to TE Josh Hill for a short loss.
Saints go for it, but the lack of Jimmy Graham on the field may have been a tipoff that they're not serious about it. On fourth-and-2, Brees calls the Saints' final timeout of the half. TV clock suggests he was late with the timeout -- but that's not reviewable.
Saints change their mind, and Shayne Graham's 27-yard field goal is good.
1:58 p.m.: West pops through the left side for four yards. On second down, West gets four more. On third-and-2, Saints have seven in the box, but Hoyer hits Hawkins for a quick first down at the 25. Hoyer looks long for Benjamin, but throw is slightly short and broken up at the Saints 25.
On second down, bubble screen to Hawkins gets six. On third-and-4, Crowell gets a dumpoff but can't outrun the defense and is tackled a yard short by Jarius Byrd.
Fair catch on Lanning punt gives ball back to Drew Brees at his 18.
1:52 p.m.: After a touchback, Saints start at the 20 -- a great place to start compared to the possessions of the first quarter.
How does a Hall-of-Fame QB react? Robinson carries for nine (best run of the day so far). Good time for play action, and Brees gives to Robinson for six more and a first down. Saints with their second first down of the day.
Pierre Thomas gets five up the middle. On second down, Brees looks for Robert Meacham, but Justin Gilbert jumps in front and tips it away. Nice aggressive play.
On third-and-5, a dumpoff to Ben Watson (yes, that Ben Watson) is stopped a yard short by Williams and Jordan Poyer.
Browns wary of a fake, but the Saints punt goes OB at the Browns 11.
Browns 10, Saints 0, end of first quarter
1:45 p.m.: Another chance to continue the momentum.
West punishes the Saints with a nice cut to an open lane for 15 yards to the Saints 43. Hoyer's feet trip up West on the handoff for a two-yard loss. On second-and-12, play action Hoyer throws off his back foot and overthrows Gabriel at the 20.
On third down, Gary Barnidge runs a circle route out of the backfield and makes a nice run for a first down to the 32.
Hoyer rolls right but Jim Dray doesn't go with him, so a desperation throw to Benjamin is out of bounds. Crowell gets six yards on a sweep left -- Thomas is having a great blocking quarter. Miles Austin drops a first down pass at the 20.
Cundiff's 44-yard field goal hits the right upright, but the Saints are called for offside, which gives the Browns a first down at the 21.
Browns keep rolling Hoyer out in bootlegs, and he overthrows Barnidge at the 5. On second down, West gets two off right tackle. On third-and-8 at the 19, Hoyer hits Jim Dray for five yards to the 14 on a nicely designed TE screen that safety Kenny Vaccaro prevents from being a touchdown.
Cundiff's 31-yard field goal is good as the quarter clock expires.
1:35 p.m.: Ingram for six yards, then a dumpoff right to him for three more. On third-and-1, fullback Austin Johnson gets two yards for their first first down.
Khiry Robinson for four yards, then Joe Haden breaks up a Brees pump-and-go attempt to Cooks on the left sideline. On third-and-6, the Saints use their second timeout with the play clock running out. Dieken says it helps the Browns too, who may have been confused with their coverage of TE star Jimmy Graham.
After the break, Saints called for a false start. Feel free to speculate the last time a Browns crowd was this animated and effective.
On third-and-11, Jabaal Sheard swats down Brees' attempt over the middle. Punt time. Morstead from his 8 punts to Benjamin for a fair catch at their 42.
1:28 p.m.: Tavaras Cadet returns from four yards deep and gets to the 11 with a firm tackle by K'Wuan Williams. Another TV break for commercials.
Browns 7, Saints 0, 5:59 left in first quarter
1:25 p.m.: With great field position, what do the Browns do?
Pitch left to West gets four. Play action to West for a first down at the Saints 36, with West fumbling the ball out of bounds. Hoyer can't find anyone on first down and tries a long floater to Jim Dray at the goal line which is knocked down. Crowell with three yards on second down. On third-and-7, Hoyer looks for Taylor Gabriel and Saints corner Patrick Robinson is called for interference at the 15.
Hoyer, rushed, misses FB Ray Agnew in the right flat. Agnew had five yards of open room. On second down, West loses two as David Hawthorne blows up the middle. On third-and-12, Hoyer hits West at the 5, two feet short of the first down. Browns go for it. West powers for a yard over Joel Bitonio and Joe Thomas.
On first-and-goal inside the 4, play-action fake to West and Hoyer hits Miles Austin for a touchdown on a wide-open slant on the left side.
1:16 p.m.: Kruger sacks Brees at the 1 and the crowd noise seems to have an effect. Saints call timeout lining up on the goal line.
"Neither team has scored, but the crowd has," says Doug Dieken.
On second-and-17, a short pass to Mark Ingram barely gets to the 5 with a hard hit from Dansby. On third-and-13, Sheard and Kruger disrupt Brees' throw and it falls harmlessly at the 24.
Benjamin returns Morstead's punt two yards to the Cleveland 48.
1:11 p.m.: Old-fashioned I-formation look results in four yards for West and a quick slant catch by Andrew Hawkins at the 49. After a pair of runs in the hurry-up, a third-and-6 results in an overthrown Hawkins at the Saints 35.
Spencer Lanning's punt is fair caught at the Saints' 8. And we're playing a game of field position early.
1:07 p.m.: Billy Cundiff's kickoff is a touchback.
Chris Kirksey and Karlos Dansby read the dumpoff well on first down for a two-yard loss on first down. A bad snap, mishandled ball by Brees leads to an incompletion and on third-and-12, good coverage by Gilbert on fellow rookie Brandin Cooks on a WR screen.
Travis Benjamin fair catches Thomas Morstead's punt at the Browns 35.
1:01 p.m.: Saints call tails and lose the toss. Browns start the game on defense, deferring to the second half.
Browns in all white today. Back to the historical basics.
12:56 p.m.: One opinion on the new look atmosphere at First Energy.
12:54 p.m.: Saints aren't coming in overconfident after their last-second loss last week in Atlanta. So Jim Donovan's opening focuses on how both teams are motivated to avoid 0-2.
Doug Dieken recalls last week's no-huddle surprise in the second half, and suggests that today's big change will be ... Johnny Manziel getting some snaps.
12:45 p.m.: Just a reminder that when everyone announces that "the Browns have to run well today," that it's just why teams start with play-action passes on their first series.
Just saying. Of course, no one says Brees and the Saints "have to pass well today." Perhaps the Browns will someday get to a point when their offense is taken for granted, too.
12:34 p.m.: Browns radio play-by-play man Jim Donovan says he believes that Johnny Manziel gets his first NFL action today. Asked about whether Brees will reach 300 passing yards today, he jokes that he hopes Justin Gilbert doesn't give up 300 yards all by himself.
12:32 p.m.: Fox has taken the lead in covering the NFL's wretched week in the pre-game show. A lengthy video recap started the show, then Jay Glazier reports that the NFL will look at an "investigative team," and the league contends that Ray Rice "lied" in the original interviews, that he contended an "open-hand slap" was the major blow against Janay Palmer, who is now his wife.
Michael Strahan and Howie Long are the strongest in their comments, while host Curt Menafee closes the open by saying the obvious, "we don't know these people" when it comes to following high-profile athletes.
Christine Brennan and Pam Oliver follow with a conversation, with Oliver saying that the concern should be with Janay Rice, who is living with "an abuser." Props to Fox for covering this so seriously.
On CBS, there's comments from the panel and Charles Barkley is brought in for an interview with Jim Rome in which Sir Charles -- speaking on the Adrian Peterson situation -- says "we have to be careful in telling parents how to discipline their children."
So there's that.
12:30 p.m.: Bud Shaw has a pretty good grip on the importance of a victory over a popular Super Bowl contender today.
"The Browns are 10-8 as a home underdog of 6 ½ points or more in the last decade. That they've been a big home underdog 18 times tells you all you need to know. We aren't sure what it would be like to see Browns' crowds giving the team a standing ovation at game's end because so many games have ended with losses and with the crowd at half capacity. Today can be the start of something or more of the same."
Meanwhile, Terry Pluto believes there's a key to the game that fans can follow easily:
"A key for the Browns will be keeping it close early. That will require some long drives by the offense. It will be fascinating to watch Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell run the ball in their second pro games. The Saints now have video on these guys and a scheme to stop them."
Meanwhile, the Browns inactives are TE Jordan Cameron, OLB Barkevious Mingo, RB Ben Tate, WR LaRon Byrd, CB Pierre Desir, DE John Hughes, NT Ishmaa'ily Kitchen.
For the Saints, it's DB Marcus Ball, DE Glenn Foster, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, G Senio Kelemete, FB Erik Lorig, WR Joe Morgan and WR Nick Toon.
And, of course, a particularly noteworthy inactive from Carolina.
