Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their the 24-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Lumen Field:
OFFENSE
What a strange day for Seattle’s offense. The Seahawks were trucking in the first quarter, doing whatever they wanted in scoring on each of their first three possessions. Then the offense was completely impotent the rest of the way, with quarterback Geno Smith in particular struggling as he threw two incerceptions. But Seattle got one last chance with less than two minutes remaining, and Smith and company redeemed themselves with a lightning-quick scoring drive, which ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that won the game. Seattle’s rushing attack (114 yards on 17 carries) was effective when it was used.
Grade: C
DEFENSE
With the offense sputtering, the defense did what it needed to in order to keep Seattle in a position where it could win the game. Most importantly, the Seahawks turned the Browns over three times, with none more vital than Julian Love’s interception on the tip drill with 1:57 remaining to give Seattle a chance to win it. The Seahawks regularly got pressure on Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker, who was filling in for the injured Deshaun Watson. Seattle had difficulty defending the screen, and Cleveland nearly was able to ball-control the game away with a grinding rushing attack in the second half.
Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Michael Dickson brought his kicking shoes to this one, averaging 54.8 yards on five punts as he played a critical role in shifting the field. Dee Eskridge, in his first game back from a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, had one good kickoff return, but he also had an unfortunate block-in-the-back penalty on a punt return. Kicker Jason Myers didn’t have a lot to do, but he hit his one short field-goal attempt, and he made the late extra point that forced Cleveland to play for a touchdown rather than a field goal in the final minute.
Grade: B+
COACHING
There were good things happening in the first quarter, both in terms of creative play calling and good timing on blitzes. The decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 toward the end of the first half when in long field-goal range seemed prudent. But Seattle definitely lost the battle of adjustments as Cleveland was substantially the better team after the first quarter, and one can question why the Seahawks abandoned the run game after it was effective early on. Seattle also needs to clean up the penalties, as the most-penalized team in the league was almost undone by poorly-timed flags.
Grade: C-
OVERALL
This wasn’t Seattle’s best performance in a victory so far this season, but the result may have been the Seahawks’ most consequential to date. Cleveland came into the contest playing well, including knocking off then-NFC West leader San Francisco two weeks ago, so a loss wouldn’t have been the end of the world for the Seahawks. But pulling this one out is a boon, as the victory combined with the 49ers’ loss to Cincinnati moved Seattle into first place in the division at 5-2. The Seahawks will hope the late touchdown drive snaps Smith out of his malaise.
Grade: B
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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