Seattle Seahawks Complete Fourth Quarter Comeback; Defeat Cleveland Browns 24-20
It is gameday in Seattle as the Seahawks get set to host the Cleveland Browns in a much-anticipated matchup. Both teams will take Lumen Field with 4-2 records, and Seattle fans will see the Seahawks debut their throwback uniforms. However, the throwback uniforms won't be the only excitement. Sunday will be another test for the Seahawks.
The Browns are off an unlikely of hot starts, currently riding a two-game winning streak, despite injured starting quarterback Deshaun Watson remaining sidelined. With Watson out and P.J. Walker as the new starter, the Browns kicked off their streak with a 19-17 win over the Seahawks’ NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, before Week 7’s 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Watson did manage to play versus the Colts but only lasted four drives before exiting the game with a re-aggravated shoulder injury. It’s the same injury that kept him out of the prior two games and will see him sidelined again versus the Seahawks.
After struggling in the Browns' 39-38 win against the Colts a week ago, Walker will face a Seahawks defense that has looked much improved in recent weeks.
Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett (left) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (right)
USA Today
The Seahawks have given up just three touchdowns in their last three games. It is an impressive stat, considering two touchdowns came in the 17-13 loss to the Cincinnatti Bengals.
Contrastingly, for the Seahawks, the offense has hit speed bumps. Seattle's usually efficient quarterback, Geno Smith, has thrown three interceptions in his past two games. Additionally, converting redzone trips into touchdowns has also been an issue.
However, there have also been improvements, like Seattle's play on third down. Week 7’s win over the Cardinals saw the Seahawks convert seven of 13 third downs, while the emergence of rookie receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo also propelled them to victory. The rookie duo combined for 124 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions in a game where the Seahawks were without D.K. Metcalf.
With the return of Metcalf just in time for Sunday's matchup against one of the NFL's top pass defenses, the Seahawks will be hoping for similar success in the passing game.
First Quarter
The Seahawks forced a quick three-and-out as a Jerome Ford run on third-and-two was stuffed for a loss of a yard.
Change of Possesssion
The Seahawks opened up the drive with two completions to Tyler Lockett for gains of six and 13 yards before Kenneth Walker broke off a 45-yard run to set up Seattle in the redzone. From there, Smith would find Lockett again, this time on a third-and-eight for a gain of 11 yards that set up a rushing touchdown for Jake Bobo.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 7, Browns 0
Change of Possesssion
Following an incompletion on first, Kareem Hunt picked up eight yards on second before Walker fired a 20-yard completion to Amari Cooper on third-down to avoid another three-and-out. Then after a throwaway, Walker is stripped on a sack by Jordyn Brooks. Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe recovered the fumble.
Change of Possesssion
Smith opened the drive with a 17-yard completion completion to Lockett. Following a five-yard loss on a Dee Eskeridge rush, Jaxon Smith-Njigba picked up 19 yards on a screen. A few plays later, Smith would find Lockett on a 12-yard touchdown pass.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 14, Browns 0
Change of Possesssion
Walker found Pierre Strong on a screen play for a big gain of 41 yards setting up an 18-yard touchdown strike to tight end David Njoku. The Browns responded quickly, driving 75 yards in four plays.
TOUCHDOWN BROWNS
Seahawks 14, Browns 7
Change of Possesssion
The Seahawks passing attack continued to find explosive plays; this time, it was a big 43-yard completion to D.K. Metcalf that set them up inside the Browns' 15-yard line. However, the drive stalled in the redzone as Smith threw two incompletions, while Zach Charbonnet lost a yard on a second-down run.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 17, Browns 7
Change of Possesssion
Second Quarter
The Browns reached the redzone before Seahawks rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon intercepted Walker's pass.
Change of Possesssion
A four-yard run on first down was the only positive play on the drive for the Seahawks before a three-and-out punt.
Change of Possesssion
The Browns took advantage of the punt, putting together a run-heavy drive which was capped off by a touchdown run from Kareem Hunt. While the run led the way, it was a 24-yard completion to Amari Cooper from Walker, which set the Browns up on the Seattle one-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN BROWNS
Seahawks 17, Browns 14
Change of Possesssion
The Seahawks suffered another three-and-out as an illegal use of hands penalty on Damien Lewis negated a first-down completion to Tyler Lockett on second-down.
Change of Possesssion
The Browns picked seven yards on their first two plays, one being a two-yard run for Strong, before a five-yard scramble from Walker which brought up a third-and-three. Needing a stop on third-down, Mafe was able to bring down Walker to force a punt.
Change of Possesssion
After gaining 33 yards on the first two plays with a 12-yard completion to Lockett followed up by a 21-yard run from Charbonnet, Smith was picked off a few plays later trying to find Metcalf on an out-route.
Change of Possesssion
The Browns took a knee to send the game to halftime.
Third Quarter
The Seahawks picked up nine yards on first and second down with a run for Walker and produced six yards before a Lockett completion gained three. However, Smith couldn't find anyone downfield on third-and-one to avoid a three-and-out.
Change of Possesssion
The Browns found success through the air as Walker had a completion to Njoku for a big gain of 41 yards early before finding Cooper twice, combining for 17 yards as they reached the seven-yard line, but that is where the drive stalled. The Seahawks' defense stood tall in the redzone forcing the Browns to settle for a 25-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL BROWNS
Seahawks 17, Browns 17
Change of Possesssion
It was another three-and-out for the Seahawks. However, this time it didn't end in a punt. Rather, Smith's pass intended for his tight end Noah Fant was intercepted by Maurice Hurst.
Change of Possesssion
With great field position after the interception, the Browns threw it just twice on a nine-play drive, both of which were incomplete, including a third-down pass breakup by Tre Brown to force another field goal.
FIELD GOAL BROWNS
Browns 20, Seahawks 17
Change of Possesssion
The Seahawks offense looked completely out of sync again as they suffered another three-and-out. Smith was lucky not to be intercepted again as Greg Newsome II nearly picked off his third-down pass.
Change of Possesssion
Fourth Quarter
The Seahawks defense managed to get another stop as Walker's third-down pass fell incomplete to force a punt after a 10-play drive.
Change of Possesssion
After being stopped on third-down seven consecutive times by Cleveland, it was a seven-yard run from Charbonnet that broke the first-down drought for Seattle. That proved to be just the first of two big plays for the rookie as he later broke a 20-yard run to help Seattle into Cleveland territory.
However, it was all for not, as a false start penalty on Will Dissly helped derail the Seahawks' momentum as Smith's second-down pass fell short of Metcalf before Myles Garrett got a sack to force a punt.
Change of Possesssion
After keeping it on the ground for six of the seven-play drive, Walker's only pass was tipped into the air by Jamal Adams before being intercepted by Julian Love to give Seattle another chance.
Change of Possesssion
Smith refound his rhythm in the passing game, completing four of his five passes, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to retake the lead.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 24, Browns 20
Change of Possesssion
Walker's first two passes were all incomplete, with the first almost being intercepted again by Woolen. On third-down, Walker was brought down by Darrell Taylor for a sack to bring up a fourth and long, which saw Walker flushed out of the pocket before firing an incomplete pass.
FINAL: Seattle Seahawks 24, Cleveland Browns 20
