The Browns face a tough challenge when they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks in Week 8. Both teams showed improvement in Week 5 after their first bye weeks.
Over the past two weeks, the Seahawks have made significant strides in their defense against opposing teams’ receiving cores.
They managed to hold their opponents to less than 200 yards, which is a significant improvement from the start of the season.
Through the first four games, they have allowed over 300 yards in three of those games. The Seahawks secondary is led by veteran safety and three-time Pro Bowler Jamal Adams.
They also have three-time Pro Bowler Quandre Diggs at free safety. At cornerback, however, the Seahawks have the youngest starting duo in the league: rookie CB Devon Witherspoon and sophomore CB Riq Woolen.
Despite being young, both Witherspoon and Woolen have demonstrated a high level of talent.
Woolen led the NFL in interceptions with six during his rookie season in 2022, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. Following in his footsteps is Witherspoon, who is the NFL’s best cornerback at 88.5 according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think he’s a good player,” WR Amari Cooper said of Witherspoon. “He plays a lot and is making himself known. So yes, it’s going to be a great competition there.
The Browns receiving core has had to deal with some impressive overall defenses this season.
They faced the 49ers and Ravens, both of whom were good competition, but their strengths lay in the top seven. On the other hand, for the Seahawks, the strength of their defense is secondary.
For the Browns to be successful in the passing game, it starts with their primary receiver, Cooper. He topped 100 receiving yards twice and had 90 receiving yards in just one game this season.
However, he had two other games where it was difficult to notice him on the field. Cooper caught a pass for 16 yards in Week 4 against the Ravens.
He caught two passes for 22 yards and didn’t score his first until the second half against the Colts in Week 7. “Let’s see if we can get Amari a ball,” CO Alex Van Pelt said.
“Those are our leaders. So when those guys touch the ball, generally good things happen. But it’s definitely something that’s on the coach’s mind when you watch this game.”
They also have other solid options in their receiving core. WR Elijah Moore had an impressive game against the Colts.
Moore made a crucial 30-yard reception on third-and-10 in the fourth quarter that sparked the Browns’ final drive. This season, Moore has caught 25 passes for 226 yards.
The Browns have tried to use WR Marquise Goodwin’s speed to go deep and make a big play, but all of their attempts have failed so far.
Goodwin has caught just three passes for 38 yards this season, despite being targeted nine times. It’s crucial for the Browns to finally connect with Goodwin on the deep ball.
The Browns need to be creative and use their rushers more than in recent games to create throws down the field and help score touchdowns.
The Seahawks, despite improving over the last two weeks, still missed out on big days due to difficulties receiving cores.
WR Jamarr Chase averaged 13.3 yards per catch and WR Tee Higgins averaged 10 yards per catch when the Bengals faced the Seahawks in Week 6. In Week 7, WR Marquise Brown averaged 16.3 yards per catch taken against the Seahawks in Week 7.
“Come Sunday we have to implement the coach’s decisions,” Goodwin said. “We understand the challenge of competing against a secondary with multiple Pro Bowlers.”
