Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 30-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday:
Offense: A
Quarterback Russell Wilson had another outstanding outing, going 21-for-30 for 249 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. With top two running backs Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls out injured, Seattle’s running- back-by committee went for 182 yards on 36 carries. The Seahawks broke the 30-point barrier for the fourth straight game, the first time Seattle has done that since 1986. What more can one ask?
Defense: A-
Cleveland marched right down the field on the first drive of the game, going 80 yards on 15 plays and scoring a touchdown. It was a rough start, but after that the Seahawks’ defense held the Browns to 150 yards of offense and no TDs. Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel was able to complete passes underneath, but got nothing deep, and Seattle managed to keep Browns tight end Gary Barnidge relatively quiet.
Special teams: B
Kicker Steven Hauschka hasn’t had many chances to kick field goals in recent weeks, with the Seahawks regularly finding the end zone, but he made all three of his attempts against the Browns, including a 49-yarder. Seattle got burned for one long kickoff return as Raheem Mostert made a head fake that caused three members of the coverage team to fall down. Seattle’s return game was solid, but unspectacular.
Coaching: A-
Full credit to Seattle’s coaching staff for sticking with the run, despite the unavailability of Lynch and Rawls. The Seahawks also adjusted well after the Browns started dialing up the blitz midway through the game, culminating with Wilson’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett on the first play of the fourth quarter. But head coach Pete Carroll lost his lone challenge.
Overall: A-
Another week, another routine victory. Seattle is playing as well as anyone in the NFL right now, and the Seahawks are doing it on both sides of the ball. Wilson became the first quarterback in NFL history with five consecutive games of three-plus TD passes and no interceptions, the defense has given up just one TD the past three games, and the Seahawks have clinched a trip to the postseason for a fourth straight year.
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