Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns: Key Matchups to Watch in Week 8

With both teams possessing talented pass rushers capable of having a major impact on the game, including superstar Myles Garrett, play in the trenches will be vital for both the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns in Sunday's battle at Lumen Field.

Seeking their best start since 2020, the Seattle Seahawks will look to improve their record to 5-2 with a talented Cleveland Browns squad traveling cross country for a Week 8 contest at Lumen Field on Sunday.

Which matchups will determine with 4-2 squad lands a signature win to close out October? Here's a look at six positional battles to watch closely on Sunday:

--Seahawks tackles Charles Cross and Stone Forsythe versus Browns defensive ends Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith: While Abraham Lucas didn't return to practice this week, if there's a silver lining for the Seahawks heading into Sunday's contest, they will have a bit more continuity on the offensive line than they have had most of the season. With Forsythe poised to start a second straight week at right tackle after allowing only two pressures and no quarterback hits against the Cardinals and Cross now in his third game back from a big toe sprain, the team will have the same starting lineup for back-to-back games. Still, that won't make things any easier going against Garrett, one of the league's most dominant defensive players, and a talented Browns edge rush that will be looking to get after Geno Smith early and often.

One of a select few elite players with the ability to wreck game plans by his own accord, Garrett is tied with Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe for the best Pass Rush Win Rate (31 percent) at the position despite drawing double teams 27 percent of the time. In addition to registering 7.5 sacks already, he has produced 31 pressures and forced three fumbles, continuing to dominate opponents with his rare blend of power and athleticism at 272 pounds. Across from him, while he only has one sack so far this year, Smith remains a viable sidekick with plenty of bull rushing power of his own and has amassed 20 pressures and six quarterback hits through six games. In a reserve role, Ogbo Okoronkwo has pitched in 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks, giving the Browns no shortage of firepower off the edge for Cross and Forsythe to deal with.

--Seahawks defensive tackles Dre'Mont Jones, Jarran Reed, and Mario Edwards versus Browns center Ethan Pocic, guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller: Even without star running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in September, the Browns have continued to ground and pound opponents with a second-ranked rushing attack, averaging nearly 150 rushing yards per game and a healthy 4.5 yards per carry. Regardless of who has jumped in at running back, a physical, nasty offensive line featuring Bitonio and Teller has consistently won at the line of scrimmage, allowing for the run game to stay potent and take pressure off of backup quarterback P.J. Walker. Without starter Deshaun Watson the past two games, they have ripped off 310 rushing yards and four touchdowns to beat the 49ers and the Colts, going old school to move the football.

After feasting on several opponents with underwhelming interior offensive lines, Jones, Reed, and Edwards will be tasked with continuing to play at a high level against a far superior opponent both against the run and as pass rushers. While Cleveland's front line has been stout opening up running lanes all year long, Teller has allowed three sacks already this year and had some issues with athletic defensive tackles, which could be a problem going against Jones due to his penetration ability. Lined up at the nose, Reed will be matched up against a former teammate in Pocic, adding another wrinkle to an intriguing battle in the trenches.

--Seahawks receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba versus Browns cornerbacks Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Greg Newsome: Along with having a dangerous trio of pass rushers, the Browns have constructed a versatile, talented cornerback group led by former first-round picks in Ward and Newsome, who have combined to breakup six passes already this season for the NFL's top passing defense. In addition, the 6-2 Emerson has been a revelation since being drafted in the third round in 2022, registering an interception and three pass breakups without giving up a touchdown in coverage so far this year. Thanks to the efforts of that trio, Cleveland is the only team in the league yet to give up more than 1,000 passing yards and ranks first in air yards allowed.

Back healthy after sitting out in Week 7, DK Metcalf will face a significant challenge against a quality Cleveland secondary that ranks last in the NFL in passing yards allowed / © Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

But while Ward, Newsome, and Emerson have played well, they have yet to face off against a receiving corps possessing the talent of the Seahawks and have benefited from playing against multiple backup quarterbacks. With Smith running the show and the quartet of Metcalf, Lockett, Smith-Njigba, and undrafted sensation Jake Bobo at his disposal, Seattle has the weaponry on the outside to take advantage of a cornerback group that has allowed four touchdowns this year, including three by Ward himself. Downfield shots will be hard to come by because of Cleveland's pass rush, as the team has only given up 16 explosive pass plays all year, but if Smith has time to throw, Seattle could have a chance to hit on a few chunk plays.

--Seahawks cornerbacks Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, and Devon Witherspoon versus Browns receivers Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Donovan Peoples-Jones: Due to the instability at quarterback with Watson struggling when healthy and Walker completing only 50 percent of his passes in two games, the Browns haven't yet hit their stride with the passing game. But while numbers for Cooper, Moore, and People-Jones haven't been overly impressive, those stats don't paint an accurate picture for the talent they have at receiver. One of the league's best route runners, Cooper has managed to eclipse 90 receiving yards in three games this year despite the quarterback situation, while the explosive Moore had his best game of the season last week with 59 yards against the Colts and can win both as a vertical threat and creating yardage after the catch.

With Walker set to start for the second time in three weeks, the Seahawks will have to be prepared for a quick strike passing game emphasizing short and intermediate concepts with Moore, Cooper, and Peoples-Jones all capable of doing damage from the outside or the slot. Moore's burst and elusiveness will present a different test than what Witherspoon has faced so far in his career from the slot and he will have to get him to the ground quickly with the ball in his hands to limit yards after the reception, while Woolen will need to be on his A-game against the crafty Cooper, who has the size and athleticism to give the second-year defender trouble.

--Seahawks center Evan Brown, guards Damien Lewis and Anthony Bradford versus Browns defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst: Along with being stingy against the pass, the Browns have been equally as dominant shutting down opposing ground games and a big part of the equation has been the play from a retooled interior defensive line. Tomlinson, who signed a four-year, $57 million in free agency, has solidified the middle with his massive presence, making it quite difficult for opponents to run between the tackles. Harris, who the Seahawks released in March as a cap casualty, has been a quality addition in a rotational role, with him and Hurst ranking first and second on the team in run stop percentage per Pro Football Focus.

Last week, Seahawks running back Ken Walker III managed to rush for over 100 yards for the first time this season, but the interior offensive line struggled to generate push at the line of scrimmage. In particular, the team missed Brown's physicality, as Oluwatimi got pushed around by massive nose tackle Leki Fotu most of the afternoon. With the veteran back in the lineup alongside Lewis and Bradford, who has been a more consistent presence in the run game than his rookie counterpart, the home team will be hoping for a bit more success off the snap to allow Walker and Zach Charbonnet to get downhill and take some of the burden off Smith and the passing game while slowing down Garrett and company. But that may be easier said than done with the talent across from them.

--Seahawks safeties Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Julian Love versus Browns tight ends David Njoku and Harrison Bryant: While the Browns have quality receivers on the outside, the best security blanket for a backup quarterback like Walker comes in the form of tight ends and the visitors from Lake Erie have plenty of talent at that position as well. Built like he was chiseled from stone with a rock hammer, the 246-pound Njoku ranks second on the team in receptions (24) and third in yardage (216) and offers the ability to stretch the field as well as winning in the middle of the field as a short-yardage target. Bryant hasn't been used near as much in the passing game as the past with only three catches, but he's a capable intermediate target who scored seven touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Given Walker's propensity to unload the football quickly and the likelihood coach Kevin Stefanski will prioritize short passes as a play caller, Adams and Love could be frequently targeted while matched up against Njoku and Bryant. In the event Cleveland tries to stretch the field vertically with either player, particularly the athletic Njoku, Diggs will have to be ready to take away seam and post routes from his center field position. Tackling from the group in coverage will also be crucial, as Njoku can be a battering ram with the football in his hands and currently ranks fifth among tight ends in yards after the catch and second in yards after the catch per reception.