Quick Takeaways From Seahawks - Browns →
Well, the Hawksplainers (TM) were right about this game: The Seahawks just don’t blow teams out.
Seattle is smarter and more disciplined than the Browns. But even though Cleveland tried to give the game away with…
• Four turnovers
• Countless dropped passes
• Nine penalties for 85 yards
• A bad challenge that took a TD off the board
• Allowing a blocked punt
…it still took a last-minute Russell Wilson scoring drive to improve the N’SyncHawks to 5-1.
WRs said bye bye bye! #BudLightCelly x @budlight
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Let’s begin with the good. We already knew that Russell Wilson is an MVP candidate and he continued his campaign today with clean play (23 for 33 for 295 yards and 2 TDs, plus nine carries for 31 yards and another TD). But the Seahawks also might have the league’s best QB/RB combo with the way Chris Carson has played over the past three weeks. He’s been a hammer since his struggles against the Saints, paving the way to victory with another workhorse performance (24 carries for for 124 yards and a score, plus four catches for 35 yards).
We know how good Tyler Lockett is, but DK Metcalf stepped up in a huge way with some timely receptions (4 catches for 69 yards), especially with Will Dissly suffering a potentially catastrophic Achilles injury. Metcalf will need to keep that play up.
It wasn’t a great day for the Seahawks’ offensive line, which was down both Duane Brown and D.J. Fluker. That’s understandable, especially when tasked with stopping Myles Garrett (who had two sacks). Here’s hoping that the Seahawks will acquire some depth by the trade deadline. They do deserve some credit for the way they helped Carson cruise for another big day, though.
Baker Mayfield played better than his stats indicated today. He had some questionable throws but was really hurt by numerous drops (at least four, two of which were on third down and another two that turned into interceptions) by a supposedly elite Browns receiver corps. It’s a good thing the Seahawks capitalized on (and caught) those mistakes, otherwise this would have been a loss.
The anti-Rashaad Penny brigade was very vocal on the interwebs today, and for good reason. Nick Chubb, a Browns second-round pick who was still on the board (probably due to a “grotesque” knee injury at Georgia in 2015) when the Seahawks selected Penny in last year’s draft, is one of the best running backs in the league. He proved that with a 20-carry, 122-yard, two-TD performance today. Penny might still have some upside, but it’s clear he won’t be Chubb.
Speaking of losses, I’m at a loss for words when it comes to the struggles of the Seahawks’ pass rush. Unless you count a roughing the passer penalty on Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle had zero QB hits against a Browns team that allowed four sacks to the 49ers last Monday. If there was ever a week for the pass rush to explode, this was it. Yeah, Ziggy Ansah had a nice forced fumble. But for the Seahawks to win a Super Bowl, this unit needs to be elite. It hasn’t even been average. Hopefully the return of Jarran Reed from suspension next week will change that.
For more thoughts from my 710 ESPN Seattle teammates, go here.