Three Must-Win Matchups for the Browns

The Browns must win these three matchups if they want to pull off another improbable upset on Sunday.

Cleveland enters Sunday as +3.5 underdogs on the road in Seattle. The last time these two franchises locked horns was a 2019 shootout at (then) FirstEnergy Stadium. The Seahawks got a near-flawless game out of Russell Wilson to defeat the Browns 32-28.

A lot has changed since then. 

This time the Browns limp to Seattle with a beat-up 4-2 team looking to continue a win streak. The Seahawks, also 4-2, are the favorites in this game, and for good reason. They are playing very good football early in this season and they have a really good chance to get to 5-2 and be first place in the NFC West.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates as Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) shows dejection after the Browns scored a touchdown late in the second half of the game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Browns defeated the Colts, 39-38 :: © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

If the Browns want to get to 5-2, they need to play a near flawless game. Let's focus on three key matchups that must go the Browns' way to come back home on a three-game win streak.

PJ Walker vs. Turnovers

The Browns are now 1-5 on the year in winning the turnover battle which makes it even more shocking that they have a 4-2 record. Turnovers on Sunday will not only give the Seahawks an advantage on the field, but it will ignite the "12's" and CenturyLink Field will be rocking. Walker has three interceptions on the season and two near fumbles that were overturned.

It's critical that Walker doesn't turn the ball over and the Browns can lean on the run game to shrink the game.

Joel Bitonio + Wyatt Teller vs Dre'Mont Jones + Jarran Reed

This is the battle in the trenches. The Seahawks come into Sunday with the 3rd-best run defense in all the NFL, giving up 3.49 yards per carry. The Browns need to establish a run game on Sunday, and winning the interior is going to be the key. 

Sep 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) blocks Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Denzel Ward vs DK Metcalf

Shane Steichen and the Colts found some ways to take advantage of the Browns' aggressive man-to-man defense on Sunday. It is up to Denzel Ward and the rest of the secondary to eliminate Seahawks receivers from being a factor on Sunday.

The Browns will need a lot to go right on Sunday to get the win. If they can get a clean game from Walker, dominate the interior, and win on the perimeter, they are going to be in it at the end.