The Saints needed extra football, but they got out alive. New Orleans edged the Browns 23-22 in overtime on Sunday, surviving a game that was deadlocked at 6-6 midway through the fourth quarter before both offenses finally woke up.

Tyler Shough did the heavy lifting for New Orleans, throwing for 265 yards and a touchdown. Chris Olave was his favorite target, leading the team with 98 receiving yards as the Saints' passing game generated most of what little offense the first three quarters allowed.

The late-game turn was dramatic by this matchup's standards: after nearly 50 minutes of field goals and stalled drives, the two teams combined for 33 points down the stretch and into the extra period. Cleveland had its chances to steal it — a one-point overtime margin leaves no room for what-ifs — but the Saints hung on when it mattered.

It wasn't pretty, and nobody in New Orleans will claim otherwise. But an overtime road-tested win behind a quarterback putting up 265 and a score is the kind of result a team learning to close games will happily bank.