Coming off two close wins, decided by less than three points, the Browns aim to keep their win streak alive against the Seahawks. This will be the third game with P.J. Walker under center as he made his way onto the active roster and will likely stay the starter until Watson is healthy enough to play again. While I don’t expect a big increase in offensive production, especially because of a few injuries, there are ways for this Browns team to win their third game in a row.
1. Win the Turnover Battle
The Seahawks might be the most high powered passing offense this Browns team has faced apart from San Francisco. With the Browns struggling to maintain consistent offensive production, every opportunity to put points on the board could be crucial. Despite Cleveland’s defense forcing four turnovers against the Colts, including one that led to a touchdown, the team won by just one point. The Seahawks have been doing a good job taking care of the ball, with only six giveaways all season. Taking the ball away and providing the offense with good field position to score, could be significant in this game.
Walker’s decision-making and ability to read defenses has been inconsistent, leading to three interceptions in two games, a number that could have easily been higher. Although the Seattle defense hasn’t created many turnovers, they posses a strong defensive unit, highlighted by an exceptional rookie corner in Devon Witherspoon. While the Browns’ defense has shown its capability to dominate opposing offenses, it’s unrealistic to expect them to prevent scores on every possession, especially if Seattle gains favorable field position through turnovers. If the Browns execute a relatively clean game on offense and manage to steal a few possessions from Seattle, they’ll definitely have a chance of winning this game.
2. Another Big Game from the Defensive Line
The biggest weakness of this Seahawks team is their offensive line, aligning perfectly with the strengths of the Browns’ defense. While Myles Garrett showcased his ability to dominate a game, he’s not the only concern for Seattle. Tomlinson had impressive performances in recent weeks, not just as a space-eater but also as a legitimate threat as a pass rusher. The Browns defensive line rotation also includes players like Za’Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Mo Hurst, all very good pass rushers capable of disrupting plays if you don’t account for them.
Consistently pressuring Geno Smith will significantly impact the passing game, particularly the deep shots. Pressure can speed up Smith’s internal clock, leading to timing issues and the prevention of certain route concepts to develop. Despite the potential absence of Tyler Lockett due to a hamstring injury, Seattle’s receiving corps remains dangerous. The faster the Browns’ pass rush hits home, the easier it will be for the secondary to cover everybody. The injuries to running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker, despite not having a game designation, could still affect the game. Walker, especially, has been productive for Seattle this season. Regardless of who will be playing, being able to consistently stop the run would just create more pressure for Geno and more opportunities for the Browns’ pass rush.
3. Strong Performance by Strong
Ford has resumed practice following a mild high ankle sprain from last week and might be able to participate in Sunday’s game. Given his importance for the running game, it would probably be the best idea to limit his carries to not risk any long term issues, if he even plays at all. While Kareem Hunt is great at getting tough yardage and running through people, he lacks the homerun speed that Ford brings to the table. This could mean more playing time for Pierre Strong in the upcoming game. Stefanski’s trust in Strong was evident when he gave him multiple carries during the game-winning touchdown drive against Indy.
Just as we observed in the Colts game, one of the best chances for the Browns to get chunk plays on offense are runs to the outside or yards after the catch on quick passes such as screens. Strong possesses the speed and contact balance to pose a threat in both situations. Although he might not be the primary focus on offense, I anticipate he’ll receive between 10 and 20 touches. Making the most of this chance could pave the way for a more substantial role in the running back by committee situation in the future.
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