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Cleveland Browns vs. Seahawks: Can Browns get a bounce-back win?

By Randy Gurzi

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Greedy Williams #26 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after breaking up a pass in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Greedy Williams #26 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after breaking up a pass in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Freddie Kitchens of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Freddie Kitchens of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Writer: Elliot Kennel

Game: Seattle Seahawks (4-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-3)

The Browns offense is a mess right now. They relied too much on gadget plays, receiver reverses and long bombs. These are the kind of desperation plays that a MAC school uses when they play Ohio State.

These plays will work occasionally, but not consistently, especially when the pass protection is only good for about two seconds. The Browns do not have the excellent protection of 2018 when Baker Mayfield was upright for the last eight games, with only five sacks in that period. This year, he is sixth in the NFL in sacks with 16 in only five games.

When he has succeeded in getting away from the pass rush he has not consistently found a receiver and sometimes hits the guys with the wrong colored jersey. Mayfield is leading the NFL in INTs right now with eight. It is painfully obvious that the Browns need to use shorter passes, ball control and maybe even run the ball, rather than continuing the deep strike philosophy that failed against San Francisco.

Although Nick Chubb is fourth in the league with 485 rushing yards out of 562 team rushing yards, the Browns average only 22.4 rushing
attempts per game, which is 25th in the NFL. Backups D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard have also played well but have been used only sparingly. However, the Seahawks have given up only 400 yards on the ground, so this may not be the time to let the Dawgs out.
The Cleveland defense has given up 754 yards on the ground, which is the third-highest in the NFL. It’s not a mystery why they are getting their butts kicked.

The Seahawks have been only about average in rushing the ball, 12th
overall with 613 yards and a 4.0 yards per carry average. They’re
more dependent on Russell Wilson’s passing. But the Browns have shown excellent depth in the defensive backfield and may be able to slow
Wilson down.

The Browns ability to contain the Seattle passing game will slow down Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense, but the Browns are also going to have trouble moving the ball against a stout defense.

Prediction: Seattle 21, Cleveland 17

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