The Browns have landed in Seattle for their final preseason game against the Seahawks, another reminder that the NFL regular season is fast approaching.
But before we turn our attention to roster cuts and ultimately the Browns’ season opener against the Cowboys on September 8, here are three key ways the Browns can be successful against the Seahawks this Saturday.
Winning the battle for sales
“It’s hard to win a game when you’re losing the turnover battle,” to quote head coach Kevin Stefanski, who noted that the Browns’ three turnovers against the Vikings were a disappointing takeaway from last week’s game.
QB Tyler Huntley threw two interceptions and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw one. Two of Cleveland’s turnovers came when the offense was in field goal range, one of which was returned 91 yards for a Minnesota touchdown.
Thompson-Robinson’s interception bounced off the hands of WR Jamari Thrash after LB Dallas Gant made a nice play on the ball.
“You tell quarterbacks, ‘Not all interceptions are created equal,'” Stefanski said of the deflected ball intercepted by S. Lewis Cine. “So we talk about it in terms of decision-making. But even when they let their hands go, you look at the accuracy and wonder if the quarterback could have been better. And then our receivers, runners, tight ends, all of our guys, when they get the ball in their hands, they expect them to catch it.”
Seattle has intercepted a ball in each of its preseason games so far and has not lost a turnover on offense. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense is usually effective at forcing turnovers, as the Ravens were tied with the Giants for most turnovers last season with 31.
The Browns have yet to commit a fumble or interception on defense this preseason. Spectacular defensive plays could make the difference between victory and defeat on Saturday night.
