Browns vs. Seahawks: Stock Up, Stock Down

With two minutes to go the Cleveland Browns were well on their way to a third straight win against the Seahawks. Then a third-and-three pass by P.J. Walker was tipped and intercepted and turned into a game-winning touchdown by Seattle and an brutally avoidable loss for the Browns.

Thing is, it was a brilliantly called game by Kevin Stefanski prior to that one costly decision. Not only that but up until that deciding score, the Browns defense had held Seattle scoreless for the entirety of the second half. Talk about a missed opportunity.

Time for the Week 8 edition of stock up, stock down:

Stock Up and Down: Kevin Stefanski

Two things can be true here: Stefanski called a brilliant game for the majority of the game, drew up a nearly perfect game-plan for Walker and had his team in perfect position to win its third consecutive game. Man was that screen game a weapon on Sunday.

Also, the Browns may have been better served to run the ball on third and three with two minutes to go, on a day where they were running the ball effectively for right around four yards per pop. Whether or not it's a fireable offense, well, that decision can't be made off of a singular play.

Ultimately, Stefanski has pulled 2-1 out of his you know during this stretch with Walker at quarterback and that's commendable.

Stock Up: Maurice Hurst

Another home run Andrew Berry offseason addition. Hurst is graded in PFF as the Browns best interior defensive lineman this season, with an overall grade of 78.5. That ranks him 13 among qualifying defensive tackles across the league. On Sunday, he made perhaps the most athletic play you'll ever see a defensive tackle make, dropping into coverage, tipping and intercepting Geno Smith on a key third quarter play. Just an unreal play and nice opportunity to recognize a player who has been a steady force for the Browns this season.

Maurice Hurst tips it to himself! What a play by the big man

📺: #CLEvsSEA on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/tRD0M6gLbm
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023

Stock Down: P.J. Walker

Look, Walker was brilliant in some spots. There were a number of impressive moments where he completed big time throws to convert a third down or keep a drive going. But it's pretty clear at this point that Walker is not the reason the Browns have won two of their last three. Walker has seven turnovers, including five interceptions, and one touchdown over that span. Cleveland may be able to whether the storm one more time with Walker against the 1-7 Cardinals next week, but let's be honest here, their season depends on Deshaun Watson returning and playing like he did in Week 3.

Stock Up: Kareem Hunt

A third straight week with a touchdown for Hunt (my fantasy team thanks you) and a pretty solid day all around rushing 14 times for 55 yards to go along with the score. With Jerome Ford coming off that ankle injury from a week ago, Hunt was the featured back for most of the day and set the tone for the team's 155 total rushing yard performance. If only Stefanski had used him in the fourth quarter...or on a key third down play perhaps.

Stock Up: Martin Emerson Jr.

Emerson had a roller coaster of a game but his stock is up this week for a reason. Early in the game it was obvious that D.K. Metcalf was getting the better of the second-year defensive back. What's impressive though is that Emerson Jr. stuck with it and found ways to better defend Metcalf as the game went on. His ability to learn as he went notched him his second interception of the season on a ball intended for Metcalf that he made a great play on. There were moments that could have been better, but a young player learning in real time is always worth a stock up mention.

ran the route for him 😧#CLEvsSEA on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/QBpZkqKiq1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 29, 2023

Stock Down: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Where in the world has DPJ gone this year? A season removed from an 800-plus yard receiving season, there were some loftier expectations for the sixth-round pick in 2023. Through seven games, has eight receptions for 97 yards. There is some added context that Watson has been M.I.A. since Week 3 but his role is essentially the same as last year and he did just fine with Jacoby Brissett under center for 11 games. It's perplexing that he's been marginalized entirely in this offense. Maybe that's why the Browns are linked to wide receivers in the trade market.

Stock Down: First Quarter Defense

It feels a little nit-picky when the Browns defense has been as dominant as it has been, but for a third straight week that unit let a team march down the field and score a touchdown on its opening drive. Not only that, but in back-to-back weeks the Browns opponents have put up 14 points in the opening stanza against this defense. There's always a bit of a feeling out period with this group to start games it seems and that's fine for now. But against superior opponents an early, two touchdown deficit may not be so easy to erase. For what it's worth, Cleveland is giving up a league worst, 7.4 points per game in the first quarter this season.

Stock Up: David Njoku

Last but certainly not least, David Njoku gets the nod after scoring his first touchdown of the season. It was a beautifully set up play the Miami product in space over the middle after Seattle had been gouged on back-to-back screen passes. Njoku threw a quick block, then leaked out and Walker got him the ball with plenty of room to get up to speed, break a few tackles and punch it in. It was a long overdue moment for Njoku who has dealt with the facial burns this season. The four reception, 77 yard day was his best of 2023.

David Njoku gets the @Browns on the board!

📺: #CLEvsSEA on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/vA1OJ6sAod
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023