Were you not entertained?!
NFL preseasons are known for being low scoring and light on explosive plays, but Saturday’s game at Lumen Field was an exception. The Seattle Seahawks (2-1) and Cleveland Browns (0-3) brought the excitement from the beginning, and the scoring didn’t even let up when the bottom of the depth chart entered the game. In the end, Seattle prevailed 37-33 in the highest scoring game of the preseason, and one of the highest scoring preseason games in Seahawks history.
Geno Smith and company had one series on offense, ending in an opening drive touchdown to DK Metcalf, while the first-team defense once again held firm and forced a punt. The defensive reserves struggled quite a bit allowing explosive plays, which certainly won’t help the cause of many looking to make the roster.
The big concern for the Seahawks will be the health of pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu and cornerback Artie Burns, both of whom left the game after injuries sustained in the opening quarter. Nwosu was chop blocked by Wyatt Teller on the opening drive and left with a knee injury (with ice wrapped around his leg), while Burns had a non-contact foot injury and he was carted off the field on the ensuing drive.
Most of the Seahawks first-team defense played the first series. A three-and-out against the Jameis Winston-led Browns was nullified by a Uchenna Nwosu roughing the passer penalty. Cleveland didn’t muster a first down anyway, but Nwosu did get injured by guard Wyatt Teller on a chop block.
Geno Smith and company also had just one series, and it was nothing but passes. Smith misfired on his first throw to DK Metcalf, but he’d eventually find him later for a 21-yard touchdown. Along the way, Smith dropped a beauty into the arms of Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 25 yards, as well as evaded a sack to hit Kenny McIntosh for 9 yards.
After a Browns field goal, the Seahawks extended their lead with a 56-yard “angry run” touchdown by Kenny McIntosh. He sent safety Chase Williams to the dirt on his way to the end zone on a beautifully blocked play.
Cornerback Lance Boykin was penalized for taunting on what would’ve been a 3rd down stop and a punt forced. Cleveland took advantage of the penalty through a 46-yard touchdown strike from Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Jamari Thrash, who badly beat Nehemiah Pritchett.
The Seahawks nearly answered right back with a 73-yard TD from Sam Howell to Cody White, but the play was called back due to an iffy holding against Christian Haynes. A few plays later, Easop Winston Jr absorbed a heavy hit from linebacker Winston Reid. Not only was Reid penalized, he was (questionably) ejected from the game. Seattle would kick a field goal to go up 17-10.
Seattle’s next touchdown came from, of all people, Dee Eskridge. On the roster bubble and having missed last week with an injury, Eskridge took a punt back 79 yards for the score. Afterward, he was mobbed by his teammates in celebration. It might be his last game as a Seahawks but at least he put up a terrific highlight.
The Browns kicked a field goal heading into halftime, while Sam Howell’s final drive of preseason ended in a field goal for Jason Myers, who was perfect on the night and drilled a 58-yarder with ease in the first half.
Seattle’s first series with PJ Walker was short-lived and a turnover on downs. After a short pass to Dee Eskridge on 3rd and 3 was marked a yard shy of the marker, the Seahawks went for it on 4th and 1 at their own 40 and it went horribly wrong. Eskridge was the lead blocker, Kobe Lewis was the back, and the play was a disaster and a turnover on downs.
Cleveland dug deeper into its depth chart with former Ravens starter Tyler Huntley, who threw a short touchdown to fellow ex-Raven James Proche II to cut the deficit to 27-20. Marquise Blair was beaten in coverage.
The Seahawks nearly turned it over on a PJ Walker interception, but roughing the passer negated the pick. George Holani made the most of his opportunities and recorded 32 yards on 4 carries, showing some shifty and powerful running before punching it in from a yard out.
Early in the fourth quarter, Huntley responded with a 12-yard touchdown on a crossing route to Mike Woods II, with D.J. James trailing in coverage. The Browns went for 2 to make it 34-28, only for Huntley to scramble his way into a sack.
When Cleveland got the ball back with a chance to tie it up, preseason standout Jamie Sheriff sacked Huntley to force a turnover on downs. Jason Myers kicked his third field goal of the game to make it 37-26. Huntley hooked up with Woods one more time in the closing seconds to make the final score 37-33 in Seattle’s favor.
1st Quarter: Geno Smith 21-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf – SEA 7, CLE 0
2nd Quarter: Dustin Hopkins 37-yard field goal – SEA 7, CLE 3
2nd Quarter: Kenny McIntosh 56-yard touchdown run – SEA 14, CLE 3
2nd Quarter: Dorian Thompson-Robinson 46-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Thrash – SEA 14, CLE 10
2nd Quarter: Jason Myers 58-yard field goal – SEA 17, CLE 10
2nd Quarter: Dee Eskridge 79-yard punt return touchdown – SEA 24, CLE 10
2nd Quarter: Lukas Havrisik 49-yard field goal – SEA 24, CLE 13
3rd Quarter: Jason Myers 47-yard field goal – SEA 27, CLE 13
3rd Quarter: Tyler Huntley 6-yard touchdown pass to James Proche II – SEA 27, CLE 20
3rd Quarter: George Holani 1-yard touchdown run – SEA 34, CLE 20
4th Quarter: Tyler Huntley 12-yard touchdown pass to Mike Woods II – SEA 34, CLE 26
4th Quarter: Jason Myers 51-yard field goal – SEA 37, CLE 26
4th Quarter: Tyler Huntley 15-yard touchdown pass to Mike Woods II – SEA 37, CLE 33
OLB Uchenna Nwosu suffered a knee injury on a chop block penalty on the opening series of the game and did not return.
CB Artie Burns suffered a non-contact leg/foot injury and limped to the sideline before being carted off.
The cutdown day deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 1 pm PT. Seattle’s first regular season game is Sunday, Sept. 8 at home against the Denver Broncos. Kickoff time is 1:05 pm PT on CBS.
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