Seahawks Close Preseason with a 37-33 Victory Over Cleveland Browns
The first preseason of the Mike Macdonald era concluded with a win on Saturday night at Lumen Field, as the Seattle Seahawks secured a 37-33 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With this result, the Seahawks wrap up the preseason with a 2-1 record and now shift their focus to finalizing the 53-man roster ahead of the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos on September 8.
Big Plays Propel Seahawks to Victory
The Seahawks game today was highlighted by several explosive plays. In the opening series, quarterback Geno Smith connected with star wide receiver DK Metcalf for a 21-yard touchdown, marking the only drive played by Seattle’s first-team offense. Later in the game, second-year running back Kenny McIntosh electrified the crowd with a 56-yard touchdown run, while wide receiver Dee Eskridge added a 79-yard punt return touchdown to seal the deal for Seattle.
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Injuries to Key Defensive Players
However, the victory was marred by injuries to two key defensive players. Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who is expected to lead the Seahawks’ pass rush this season, left the game with an apparent left knee injury after being chop-blocked early in the first quarter. Additionally, cornerback Artie Burns, who has been a standout during training camp and appeared poised to earn a backup role, suffered a noncontact injury to his left foot and was carted off the field. The severity of both injuries is yet to be determined.
Geno Smith Shines in Limited Action
Geno Smith, leading the Seahawks’ offense for the first time this preseason, shook off some early rust but quickly found his rhythm. After an initial overthrow, Smith completed four consecutive passes, including a 29-yard strike to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a 21-yard touchdown to Metcalf. Smith’s brief but impressive performance ended with a stat line of 4-of-5 passing for 62 yards and a touchdown, giving him a near-perfect passer rating of 157.9.
“It was good to be back home, give the fans a little bit of what we’ve been working on, and also more of what’s to come,” Smith said during an in-game interview with former Seahawk Cliff Avril.
Defensive Starters Continue to Dominate
On the defensive side, the Seahawks’ starting unit, despite the early loss of Nwosu, continued to dominate as they have throughout the preseason. Facing a Cleveland Browns offense led by backup quarterback Jameis Winston, Seattle’s defense allowed just five yards on five plays in the first quarter, forcing a punt after a sack by Jarran Reed.
This followed a trend set in the Seahawks’ earlier games, where the starters have been nearly impenetrable, allowing a mere 12 yards over 11 plays throughout the preseason.
Offensive Line Takes Shape
The Seahawks’ starting offensive line for the game featured Charles Cross at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Olu Oluwatimi at center, Anthony Bradford at right guard, and George Fant at right tackle. This alignment could very well be the starting group for the regular season, depending on the health of newly signed free agent Connor Williams, who was sidelined on Saturday as he continues to recover from an ACL injury sustained last year.
Dee Eskridge Makes His Case
Dee Eskridge, a former second-round pick, made a strong case for his spot on the roster with a spectacular 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. Eskridge, who has battled injuries and a suspension during his time with the Seahawks, showcased the big-play ability that Seattle’s front office envisioned when they drafted him in 2021. His performance earned him a jubilant reception from teammates, who lifted him on their shoulders as he returned to the sidelines.
Kenny McIntosh Shines as a Third Running Back Option
Kenny McIntosh continued to impress, potentially solidifying his role as the Seahawks’ third running back behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. McIntosh’s 56-yard touchdown run was one of the game’s highlights, and he finished the preseason with 142 yards on 17 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. McIntosh also contributed in the passing game, catching all five of his targets for 27 yards.
Undrafted rookie George Holani also put in a solid performance with a touchdown of his own, making a case for the Seahawks to consider carrying four running backs on the roster.
What’s Next?
As the Seahawks prepare for the regular season, head coach Mike Macdonald and his staff face tough decisions on finalizing the 53-man roster. The Browns vs. Seahawks preseason finale provided plenty of insights into which players are ready to contribute in the upcoming season. With the regular season just around the corner, fans are eager to see how the Seahawks will perform in their opener against Denver.
For those wondering where to watch the Cleveland Browns vs Seahawks match and to keep up with all the action in the regular season, be sure to check local listings and streaming services as the schedule unfolds.