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Biggest questions Cleveland Browns need to answer vs the Seattle Seahawks

By Casey Kinnamon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard while on the bench during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard while on the bench during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 29: Jermaine Whitehead #35 of the Cleveland Browns causes a fumble against Mark Ingram #21 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 29: Jermaine Whitehead #35 of the Cleveland Browns causes a fumble against Mark Ingram #21 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

How about the run defense?

The Seattle Seahawks employ a very run-heavy offensive scheme. Their offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer utilizes an old-school offensive approach that could definitely be described as smash-mouth football. Slowing down Seattle’s running attack has to be the Browns’ defense top priority this week.

The Seahawks running game is lead by Chris Carson. The third-year running back has the size and power to break tackles and turn one and two-yard gains into 20-yard gashes. The Seahawks will line up and come downhill with Carson until the Browns prove they can stop him.

Carson isn’t without weaknesses. So far this season, Carson has fumbled three times and lost all three. The Browns have to commit to exploiting that weakness every chance they get. If they let Carson get rolling, it will be a long afternoon in First Energy Stadium.

There isn’t any dropoff when the Seahawks go to their second-string running back Rashaad Penny. The former first-round pick is very similar in size to Carson but is a different type of ball carrier. Penny is more of a slashing big-play running back who prefers to run outside the tackles. Penny’s Achilles heel has been his inability to stay healthy so far in his short career.

The Seahawks’ change of pace back is C.J. Prosise. The fourth-year back is bigger than Carson and Penny but is more effective as a pass-catcher. The Seahawks will play all three running backs with regularity to keep the ball carriers fresh.

The Browns front six will have to play fundamentally sound football in order to slow down the Seattle rushing attack. Expect safeties Morgan Burnett and Jermaine Whitehead to spend the majority of Sunday afternoon near the line of scrimmage. If the defensive line can remain stout and carry out their assignments the Browns defense will stand a chance against Schottenheimer’s scheme. If they don’t…Seattle will have its way on the ground.

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