Seattle Seahawks Overcome Second-Half Woes, Stun Cleveland Browns in Final Seconds
For the second straight week, the Seattle Seahawks leaned on their rookie receivers to deliver when it seemed like the offense had no chance of coming alive.
First-round rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba scored a go-ahead nine-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left and the Seahawks overcame a nearly scoreless second half to top the Cleveland Browns, 24-20, at Lumen Field on Sunday,
The game-winning score was set up by an interception from Seahawks safety Julian Love, who snagged a tipped pass out of the air with 2:04 remaining as the Browns had been looking to run out the clock.
Geno Smith finished the game 23 of 37 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Tyler Lockett led Seattle (5-2) with eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. DK Metcalf added five grabs for 67 yards.
On the flip side, Browns quarterback P.J. Walker went 15 of 31 passing for 248 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt posted 14 carries for 55 yards and a score while Amari Cooper led all receivers with 89 yards on six catches.
The Seahawks were able to jump out to a 14-0 lead thanks to a complementary effort from both offense and defense. Rookie Jake Bobo got the scoring started with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
Geno Smith
© Steven Bisig, USA TODAY
However, despite a 12-yard touchdown from Lockett to give Seattle a 14-0 lead, the Browns responded with a pair of touchdowns near the end of the first and second quarter.
The Seahawks had a chance to erase the inconsistency of the second quarter with a late score before heading into halftime, but Smith threw a red zone interception for the third straight week. He tossed a pick to Martin Emerson Jr. at the Cleveland 17-yard line with 26 seconds left.
Seattle got the ball first to begin the second half, but quickly went three-and-out. After being down 14-0, the Browns finally got even once again at 17-17 after a chip-shot 25-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.
It wasn't long before the Browns needed Hopkins' leg again.
Smith threw another pick right after Cleveland tied the game, as he forced a pass into traffic that defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II tipped into the air for the interception. The Seattle defense held strong in the red zone on the ensuing possession, but the Browns had taken a 20-17 lead after another field goal.
Smith nearly tossed his third interception in four drives late in the third quarter on a would-be pick-six, but the pass was dropped to lowlight another three-and-out for the Seattle offense.
The Browns were able to drain clock before the two teams traded punts. Once Cleveland got the ball back looking to seal the win, Love came up with the game-altering interception that eventually led to Smith-Njigba's score.
The Seahawks will visit the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.
