P.J. Walker started for Cleveland with Deshaun Watson out again
Geno Smith threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 38 seconds left, and the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns after blowing an early 14-point lead on Sunday.
After struggling for long stretches against the best defense in the NFL, Smith was sensational on Seattle’s final drive. He connected on four of five passes, the last of which was a quick screen to Smith-Njigba. The rookie first-round pick used a terrific block from DK Metcalf on the perimeter to sneak down the sideline and score the second touchdown of his career.
Seattle (5-2) gave themselves a chance by intercepting Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker near midfield with 1:57 remaining.
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Geno Smith, #7 of the Seattle Seahawks, warms up prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field on October 29, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
On third-and-3 at the Browns 41, Walker tried to throw a quick slant to Amari Cooper. The throw deflected off the helmet of blitzing safety Jamal Adams and flew nearly 20 yards downfield, where it fell into the arms of Julian Love.
Seattle took possession at its 43, and Smith needed five plays to find the end zone.
Smith finished 23 of 37 for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Smith’s first pick came at the end of the first half with Seattle in position to get points, and he also took a sack from Myles Garrett midway through the fourth quarter that knocked Seattle out of field goal range while trailing 20-17.
Wide receiver Jake Bobo rushed for a three-yard touchdown, and Smith threw a 12-yard touchdown to Tyler Lockett as Seattle took a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. Then the Seahawks' offense came to a stop for most of the final three quarters.
Walker was 15 of 31 for 248 yards and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku in the first quarter. Most of Walker’s success through the air came on screen passes, and the Browns (4-3) leaned heavily on a three-man run game.
P.J. Walker, #10 of the Cleveland Browns, looks to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 29 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr. and Jerome Ford combined for 137 yards on 33 carries. Hunt scored on a one-yard TD run in the second quarter, but the Browns settled for field goals of 25 and 27 yards from Dustin Hopkins in the third quarter when drives stalled after moving inside the Seattle 10.
Njoku finished with four catches for 77 yards, while Cooper had six receptions for 89 yards.
Walker had three total turnovers while making his second start in place of Deshaun Watson, who has a lingering shoulder injury. Walker was intercepted by Riq Woolen in the first half and fumbled on a sack by Jordyn Brooks in the first quarter, helping Seattle take its early lead.
BACK TO THE '90s
It ended up being a memorable day for Seattle to break out its throwback uniforms with the original color scheme the franchise had from 1976 to 2001. The blue jerseys and silver helmets popped on a perfect, sunny fall day, and the field was decorated with the logos and end-zone colors used by the Seahawks when they played in the Kingdome.
Seattle will wear the uniforms again on November 30 at Dallas. Fans have clamored for the team to go back to the design permanently.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, #11 of the Seattle Seahawks, scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field on October 29, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
INJURIES
Cleveland's starting cornerback Greg Newsome II left in the first half with a groin injury and was ruled out early in the second half. The Browns also lost starting right tackle Dawand Jones in the third quarter to a shoulder injury. He was replaced by James Hudson.
UP NEXT
Browns: Host Arizona next Sunday.
Seahawks: At Baltimore next Sunday.
