The Browns must win these three matchups if they want to pull off another improbable upset on Sunday..
Cleveland enters Sunday as +3..5 underdogs on the road in Seattle.. The last time these two franchises locked horns was a 2019 shootout at (then) FirstEnergy Stadium.. The Seahawks got a near-flawless game out of Russell Wilson to defeat the Browns 32-28..
This time the Browns limp to Seattle with a beat-up 4-2 team looking to continue a win streak..
The Seahawks, also 4-2, are the favorites in this game, and for good reason.. They are playing very good football early in this season and they have a really good chance to get to 5-2 and be first place in the NFC West..
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates as Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) shows dejection after the Browns scored a touchdown late in the second half of the game Sunday, Oct.. 22, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.. The Browns defeated the Colts, 39-38
If the Browns want to get to 5-2, they need to play a near flawless game.. Let’s focus on three key matchups that must go the Browns’ way to come back home on a three-game win streak..
PJ Walker vs.. Turnovers
The Browns are now 1-5 on the year in winning the turnover battle which makes it even more shocking that they have a 4-2 record..
Turnovers on Sunday will not only give the Seahawks an advantage on the field, but it will ignite the “12’s” and CenturyLink Field will be rocking.. Walker has three interceptions on the season and two near fumbles that were overturned..
The important thing is that Walker doesn’t turn the ball over and the Browns can rely on the running game to close the game out..
Joel Bitonio + Wyatt Teller vs.. Dre’Mont Jones + Jarran Reed
It was a battle in the trenches.. The Seahawks entered Sunday with the 3rd best defense in the entire NFL, allowing 3..49 yards per carry.. The Browns need to establish a run game on Sunday, and winning the interior will be key..
September 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) blocks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Trey Hendrickson (91) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium.. Mandatory Credit:
Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
September 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) blocks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Trey Hendrickson (91) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium.. Mandatory Credit:
Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Denzel Ward vs.. DK Metcalf
Shane Steichen and the Colts found a way to take advantage of the Browns’ aggressive defense on Sunday.. Denzel Ward and the rest of the secondary must eliminate the Seahawks’ receivers from being a factor on Sunday.
The Browns will need to do a lot on Sunday to win.. If they can get clean play from Walker, dominate the interior and win on the perimeter, they will be there in the end..
Anthony Moeglin is a Northeast Ohio native who led John Carroll University to the 2016 NCAA DIII national semifinals after defeating the nation’s No.. 1 team twice in four weeks.. He contributes written and video/podcast content to Browns Digest, and is also the lead football analyst for BuckeyesNow on FanNation Network..
