The 4-2 Seahawks and 4-2 Cleveland Browns will square off Sunday at Lumen Field, the 20th all-time matchup between the two teams, with Seattle leading the series 13-6. Here are six things to know about Seattle's AFC opponent ahead of their Week 8 matchup.
Myles Garrett: Mr. Unstoppable
Through six games played, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a blocked field goal attempt, and is coming off a AFC Defensive Player of the Week performance in Week 7. The two-time First Team All-Pro selection (2020, 2021) has reeled off consecutive 16-sack seasons, while making 35 tackles for loss in that span. Seattle will look to slow down the Pro Football Focus 2023 First-Quarter All-Pro selection on Sunday.
Deshaun Watson: Out; P.J. Walker Starts at QB
The Browns will be without sixth-year quarterback Deshaun Watson on Sunday due to a shoulder injury. Watson has played in just four games this season, as the nagging injury continues to be a problem. On Wednesday, Coach Kevin Stefanski discussed giving Watson a chance to recover.
"I just feel like with what happened in the game landing on his shoulder," said Stefanski. "There's residual swelling that's affecting his throwing. I think it's the best thing for him to rest this week and focus on rehab. I will always make what I think is the best decision for our football team, for Deshaun, and I feel like this is the best decision for this week."
On the season, Watson has completed 66 of 107 passes for 683 yards and four touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions. Fourth-year Temple alum P.J. Walker will get the start for Watson on Sunday, his third contest of 2023.
Running Back Committee: Overcoming Injury
The Browns have climbed to 4-2 despite losing running back Nick Chubb in September for the season due to a knee injury. Cleveland currently ranks second league-wide in rushing yards per game (147.5), but they’ll be without leading rusher Jerome Ford for Week 8 due to a high-ankle sprain. The injury came during Cleveland's 39-38 win over the Colts, further depleting Cleveland's backfield.
Seventh-year running back Kareem Hunt returned to practice Thursday, after missing Wednesday's practice with a thigh injury. The Toledo alum looks to lead Cleveland's backfield in Sunday's contest.
Amari Cooper: Veteran Leadership
Despite several offensive injuries, wideout Amari Cooper continues to be a consistent playmaker in Year 10. Currently, the Alabama alum leads Cleveland in receiving yardage (389), along with 24 receptions and a touchdown. Through six games, Cooper also leads the Browns with 47 targets. In 2022, Cooper recorded the fifth 1,000-yard (1,160) season of his career. With two 100-yard games under his belt in 2023, Seattle's secondary will look to prevent Cooper from making his presence felt.
No Entry Allowed: Dawg Pound Defense
Coming into Week 8, Cleveland's defense ranks No.1 (243 yards per game) in total defense. Through the air, the Browns are allowing just 149.2 yards per game (1st), remaining the only team league-wide to not surrender 1,000 passing yards. Cleveland's run defense (93.8 ypg) sits at seventh-best league-wide, one spot behind Seattle (87.2). But in Week 7's 39-38 win over the Colts, Cleveland allowed 456 yards and 38 points, both season highs. At 24 points-per-game, Seattle is currently tied for No. 11 in scoring. Seattle's offense will look to make a difference in Sunday's contest.
Turnover Concerns?
The Browns have done a lot of things well on their way to a 4-2 start, but one concern early in the season has been a lack of ball-security. Cleveland has turned the ball over 14 times, tied for second most in the league despite having an early bye, and their minus-6 turnover differential ranks 29th in the NFL.
A red-hot Seahawks defense would love to help the Browns continue that turnover trend on Sunday.
The Seahawks and Browns face off on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Browns.
Cleveland's Mike Pruitt, 43, runs up the middle for a score in the fourth quarter of NFL game against Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Oct. 13, 1980 in Seattle. The run of 22 yards came with 13 minutes left in the game. Seattle's Keith Butler, 53, missed Pruitt. Cleveland won 27-3. (AP Photo)
Cleveland's Mike Pruitt (43) breaks into the end zone in the first quarter for the Browns first score against Seattle in Seattle, Sept. 13, 1982. Hitting Pruitt is Seattle's Bruce Scholtz (58). Cleveland won, 21-7. (AP Photo)
Kevin Mack of the Cleveland Browns (34) breaks through the Seattle Seahawk defense during the first quarter of game in the Kingdome in Seattle, Wash., Dec. 9, 1985. (AP Photo/Jerry Gay)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth (55) rushes the pocket during a 16-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on October 9, 1988 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Seattle Seahawks' Steve Largent (80) pulls down a catch for an 11-yard gain in action against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 13, 1989. Seahawks lost to the Browns, 17-7. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kelly Holcomb (10) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Reggie Tongue, forcing a fumble in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003 at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. The Seahawks recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander steps as Cleveland Browns strong safety Robert Griffith dives during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003. The Seahawks won, 34-7, with Alexander gaining 16 of his 127 rushing yards on this play. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Cleveland Browns' Dannis Northcutt is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin as he catches a pass during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday Nov. 30, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) escapes the rush from Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shaun Smith in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (81) outruns Cleveland Browns safety Mike Adams (20) and the rest of the Browns defense on a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) runs against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne jumps a route and intercepts a Cleveland Browns pass attempt during a game on October 23, 2011. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 6-3.
The Cleveland Browns, left, and the Seattle Seahawks line up during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Cleveland. The Browns won 6-3. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Seattle Seahawks free safety Kam Chancellor up ends a Cleveland Browns receiver during a game on October 23, 2011. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 6-3.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice makes a move and evades a Cleveland Browns defender during a game on October 23, 2011. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 6-3.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane celebrates following a Seahawks sack during a game on December 20, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13.
Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) during the NFL regular season game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015 in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 30-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback prepares to deliver a stiff arm to Browns safety Donte Whitner during a game on December 20, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin enters the end zone for a Seahawks touchdown during a game on December 20, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin prepares to sack Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during a game on December 20, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13.
