Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds vs. Browns in Week 6

With three NFC West teams competing for playoff spots, the Seattle Seahawks got a major 32-28 win against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Seattle Seahawks were poised to cement themselves as playoff contenders in Week 6. With the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams facing off in the afternoon window of games, there was a chance for Seattle to emerge as the leader of the NFC West after the week. The Seahawks did indeed defeat the Cleveland Browns, but it was a much closer game than anticipated.

One week after getting rocked 31-3 by the 49ers, the Browns put up a fight against the Seahawks and took the game down to the final minutes. Seattle did end up running the clock out in the 32-28 win, but the game was much closer than expected. Seattle’s defense struggled to deal with Odell Beckham, Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s plethora of talent.

If not for Baker Mayfield throwing three interceptions, the Seahawks probably would have lost the game. As it was, Mayfield still threw for 249 yards. The game revealed just how vulnerable the Seahawks are to a strong running game and an All-Pro level wide receiver. Essentially, the defense has issues handling the league’s most talented players.

While Week 6 wasn’t the best showing by the Seahawks, the team now sits at 5-1. However, the 49ers are still in control of the division at 5-0. San Francisco topped Los Angeles 20-7 as the Rams fell to 3-3. The Seahawks and 49ers won’t meet for the first time this season until Week 10.

Before we start looking too far ahead though, let’s look at who shined and who faded against the Browns this week.

Stud: Jaron Brown, WR

Brown was one of the veterans I thought the Seahawks would cut going into the season. Instead, Seattle kept the former Cardinal around for his second season with the team. The move paid off on Sunday. Brown, who had eight catches going into the game, caught two touchdowns.

Brown was targeted five times and he caught three passes for 29 yards and those two scores. During those plays, Cleveland prioritized Seattle’s more notable receiving threats, which left Brown in a positive position. Last season, Brown recorded 14 receptions for 166 yards and five touchdowns. He already has 11 receptions, 145 yards, and two touchdowns.

Dud: Michael Dickson, P

Early in the fourth quarter, the Seattle Seahawks stopped the Browns on a fourth and goal attempt. The offense proceeded to do nothing with the ball, and they had to punt away. However, Dickson, who was a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie last season, shanked the punt.

With 9:48 left in the game, Dickson’s punt didn’t even make it to Seattle’s own 30-yard line. It only took the Browns a few plays to punch the ball into the end zone with Nick Chubb and take a 28-25 lead.

Dickson is a great, young player who should be with Seattle for the next decade, but he made a crucial mistake.