Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns Preview: Battle of 4-2 Teams

The Seattle Seahawks defense has given up just three touchdowns in their past three games and will hope to keep that impressive statistic intact versus the Cleveland Browns.

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. 

Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) and Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) tackle Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the second half at Lumen Field / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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WHAT: Cleveland Browns (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2)

WHERE: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington (68,740)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, 1:05 p.m. PT

TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: Seattle Sports 710AM | KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM

Tickets via SI TICKETS

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Seahawks -3.5

TOTAL: 38

MONEY LINE: Browns +163, Seahawks -190