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Staff picks: Final score, bold predictions for Saints vs. Browns

Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi reacts against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi reacts against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints (3-7) and Cleveland Browns (2-7) are set to kickoff and try to revive their seasons, but who is going to come out on top? Our staff writers shared their bold predictions and final scores for Week 11's matchup at the Caesars Superdome. Kickoff is only an hour away, so how do you see this one playing out? Here are our takes:

Nov 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) pumps up his teammates during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) pumps up his teammates during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints got things rolling with their win versus the Atlanta Falcons. It was an impressive performance from interim head coach Darren Rizzi. This week the team has the Cleveland Browns at home. This means the team will be taking on former fan favorite Jameis Winston. My bold prediction is that Jameis Winston throws three interceptions to his former team. The Florida State product is coming off a rough game, and the Saints know him like the back of their hand. Saints 21, Browns 10. -- Jonny Camer

Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares for the ball from center Erik McCoy (78) as he looks over the Carolina Panthers defense during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares for the ball from center Erik McCoy (78) as he looks over the Carolina Panthers defense during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of their first win after seven straight losses, the Saints are looking to revitalize their season. The Cleveland Browns under former Saints’ quarterback Jameis Winston come into the Superdome this week to make this game a little more fun and interesting. When it comes to play of each team, I believe the Saints have the upper hand in this one. Getting back guys like Erik McCoy and Kool-Aid McKinstry from injury, will immediately upgrade their offensive and defensive units. And while the Browns have a talented team overall, they’ve lost two key difference makers in Zadarius Smith and Amari Cooper who would’ve been huge factors in this game. The Saints will now lean their focus into all-world pass rusher Myles Garrett instead and you should feel good about your defensive backs going against Cleveland’s group of receivers. If the Saints can run the ball effectively and slow down the Browns rushing attack, they’ll be able to control the game and force Jameis Winston into some mistakes which is what they want. I’m taking the Saints. Saints 21, Browns 10. -- Luke Loffredo

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) during the warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) during the warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Bold prediction: This game turns into a defensive slugfest and these teams don’t hit 30 combined points. The Cleveland Browns have the players necessary to generate pressure against a Saints offensive line that is extremely hit or miss, and even with Erik McCoy likely playing, it’s a tough task to go up against Myles Garrett on the outside for the young tackles in Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning. The Saints defense on the other hand has been getting gashed at times, but has held when it came to scoring for the most part. I don’t think this game is going to be an offensive showcase, but rather a defensive game that no one wants to watch. Saints 12, Browns 17. -- Jeremy Trottier

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 24: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Kaden Elliss #55 and Paulson Adebo #29 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 24: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Kaden Elliss #55 and Paulson Adebo #29 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Saints are looking to make it back to back victories, and they will accomplish their goal. Nick Chubb has struggled to get rolling. Those struggles will be the reason the Saints come out with the victory. The Saints defensive line came alive last week. Even Payton Turner got a sack. They’ll continue the momentum and continue to disrupt the quarterback for the second week in a row. Bold prediction- Kool-Aid McKinstry gets his first interception of his career. Saints 20, Browns 17. -- Darrion Gray

Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi leaves the field after the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi leaves the field after the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The Saints and the Browns have been two of the NFL’s lowliest teams for sometime now with similar records. But the Saints come into this one with a new sense of momentum and optimism in the second game of the Darren Rizzi era after knocking off the Atlanta Falcons with a 20-17 statement win. The Saints build off of this one in Caesars Superdome with a 23-20 win, as long as they keep Nick Chubb from getting back to doing Nick Chubb things. Saints 23, Browns 20. -- Crissy Froyd

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Staff picks: Final score, bold predictions for Saints vs. Browns