As the NFL preseason wraps up, an exciting interconference clash is set to unfold in the vibrant city of Seattle. The Cleveland Browns will travel cross-country to face off against the Seattle Seahawks this Saturday evening. In their last outing, Cleveland suffered a disappointing 27-12 defeat at home against the Minnesota Vikings, failing to cover the spread as 2.5-point favorites. Meanwhile, the Seahawks narrowly lost 16-15 to the Tennessee Titans on the road, also coming up short as 1.5-point favorites. Historically, these teams have never faced each other in the preseason, but Seattle leads the regular season series 14-6, including a recent 24-20 victory at home on October 29, 2023.
Cleveland Aiming for Improvement in Preseason Finale
The Browns have struggled in their last two preseason games, displaying a lack of energy that has fans concerned. After their loss to Minnesota, Cleveland looks to turn things around and finish the preseason on a high note. During the game against the Vikings, they allowed a touchdown on the opening drive and trailed 10-7 by the end of the first quarter, never managing to regain the lead. Despite a close total offense tally of 303-288 in favor of Minnesota, Cleveland faltered with three turnovers and even allowed a safety.
Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that the starting lineup will take the field for this matchup, which is expected to include quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, Watson’s participation is uncertain due to arm soreness that limited him in practice. If Watson is sidelined, the Browns will rely on Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead the offense. Notably, star running back Nick Chubb has yet to see any preseason action as he recovers from a knee injury. In his absence, Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, Aidan Robbins, and Pierre Strong Jr. will likely shoulder the rushing responsibilities. The receiving corps is expected to feature Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore, while several lesser-known players, including Jamari Thrash and James Proche II, are vying for a spot on the final roster. In a surprising move, Cleveland traded kicker Cade York to the Washington Commanders for a conditional seventh-round pick.
Seattle Looking to Fine-Tune Before Regular Season
The Seahawks faced a narrow defeat against the Titans, dropping their preseason record to 1-1. Seattle showed promise early in the game, leading 6-0 and then 9-0 before halftime. However, they ultimately lost after allowing the Titans to drive down the field for a last-second field goal. Overall, Seattle was outgained in total offense (338-239) and struggled with time of possession, which did not help their cause.
Geno Smith has been named the starting quarterback for the regular season opener on September 8, though it remains unclear if he will see any action in this game. Sam Howell has performed well in preseason, giving the coaching staff something to consider if Smith struggles early in the season. The running back duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet will lead the charge, but players like Kenny McIntosh, Kobe Lewis, and George Holani will be looking to impress. With Tyler Lockett nursing a leg injury, Dareke Young has stepped up, sharing the starting roles with DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Other pass-catching hopefuls include Jake Bobo, Dee Eskridge, and Laviska Shenault Jr., each aiming to secure a spot on the final roster.
For reliable predictions, check out the best site for NFL Picks.
Best Bets for Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks
As the Browns continue to falter in their preseason efforts, losing by significant margins to both the Vikings and Packers, questions linger about their offensive capabilities. Although they plan to field their starters for part of this game, ongoing struggles could spell trouble for their season. With multiple quarterbacks vying for attention behind Watson, it raises concerns about the organization’s confidence in him. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have shown signs of improvement, even if they struggled to put points on the board against Tennessee. With Lumen Field’s renowned home-field advantage, Seattle appears to have the upper hand against a lackluster Cleveland team.
