NEW ORLEANS — The Browns are still searching for their first win after another thriller.
Cleveland left New Orleans with a 21-18 loss despite dominating in stretches against the Saints Sunday afternoon at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Veteran kicker Will Lutz knocked down a 44-yard field goal with 21 second to play to hand the Browns their first loss of the season after finishing in a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in last week's opener. Cleveland has not won since Dec. 24, 2016.
What happened? The Browns held a nine-point lead before stumbling in the fourth quarter. Despite a stingy defense and late heroics, New Orleans outscored Cleveland 17-7 in the period.
Key moment(s): Trailing with 1:16 to play on 4th-and-5, quarterback Tyrod Taylor tossed a 47-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway. The play tied the game 18-18 after second-year kicker Zane Gonzalez could not connect on the extra point.
Player of the game: CB Terrance Mitchell — The veteran defensive back forced two fumbles in the first half against a New Orleans offense that couldn't find its typical rhythm. The pair of takeaways brought the Browns' total to eight this season after forcing six turnovers in the season opener against Pittsburgh.
Who's next? The Browns (0-1-1) host the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
See the best photos as the Cleveland Browns play the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Week 2.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Austin Carr, left, cannot hold on to the football as Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) hands off the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Cleveland Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez (2) boots a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) catches a pass as Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward defends during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Damarious Randall (23) reacts after recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) looks to hand off the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Damarious Randall (23) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Ted Ginn, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith (50) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) makes a catch as Cleveland Browns defensive back Derrick Kindred defends during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs as Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins defends during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Cleveland Browns tight end Darren Fells (88) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker A.J. Klein, left, and linebacker Manti Te'o (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, right, is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs past New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) runs past New Orleans Saints linebacker Manti Te'o on his way to scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) scores a touchdown past New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway, left, prepares to catch the ball for a touchdown over New Orleans Saints cornerback Ken Crawley during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
