Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith Highlights Biggest 'Challenge' vs. Cleveland Browns
The Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns are set to do battle at Lumen Field on Sunday, as both teams are sitting at 4-2 through the first part of the season.
With the Seahawks slowly finding their groove and the Browns defense being the straw that stirs their drink, it is no secret as to what could ultimately decide this game.
For Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who will be going against one of the best defenses in football, not getting stuck behind the chains and allowing the likes of Myles Garrett to hunt is critical.
“When we’re in those situations where it’s manageable, I think we do a pretty good job," Smith said. "If you look at the Browns, what they’ve been great at, is making sure teams are in third-and-long situations which leads to them being the number one defense on third downs. For us, it’s got to be great on first and second down, and executing on third down, which is always going to be a challenge, but I’m really excited about it.”
The Seahawks offense ranks 24th for third down conversions, while the Browns defense ranks No. 1 for stopping teams on third down, only allowing a conversion 27.5 percent of the time.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith knows the challenge that the Browns defense presents.
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With the need to extend drives and keep this Browns defense on the field for extended periods of time, Smith and his receiver group need to be on the same page.
Against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7, it was rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo who stepped up in the absence of DK Metcalf. Now with Metcalf looking like he will suit up on Sunday, Seattle looks to have all of its weapons firing.
For Smith, the continued development of the receiving unit is crucial. He knows that sometimes, he just has to give his pass catchers a chance to make a play.
“As we continue to develop together, of course it’s going to uplift our camaraderie and make things a lot better," Smith said. "I’m developing so much trust with him [Jake Bobo] and Jaxon (Smith-Njigba) and still developing with DK (Metcalf) and Tyler (Lockett). It’s only our second year playing together. There’s a lot of things out there that we can get better at. When you see guys making plays like that, you think, ‘Man, I just have to give them a chance,’ and usually they’ll come down with it.”
With the Seahawks coming up against a defense that makes life incredibly difficult, things will need to be clicking on offense. If they are, and the Seahawks can improve on their red zone conversions as well, then Seattle might just pass this "challenge" with flying colors.
