by PJ Walker had 3 costly turnovers today that will forever overshadow a solid performance as the Cleveland Browns fell to the Seattle Seahawks 24-20 on the road. Walker, finished 15 of 31 for 248 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off twice and lost a fumble on a sack. Simply put, those 3 turnovers cost the Cleveland Browns the game.
The Browns were down 14-0 within 9 minutes to start the game. A Jake Bobo 3-yard touchdown run opened the scoring for the Seahawks. On the Browns next possession, Walker got hit and fumbled the ball at the Cleveland 41. This gave the short field to Seattle and they instantly converted to the tune of a 12-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to Tyler Lockett. This made it 14-0 and it looked like the Browns were headed for a blowout loss.
To their credit, they came right back and Walker led a 4 play 75-yard drive, capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku to get the Browns on the board. For a second, after giving up a field goal and trailing 17-7, it looked like the Browns would get it right back to a one score game, but again, a costly Walker decision loomed large as he missed a wide open Njoku, to halt what was looking like another touchdown drive for the Browns as his pass was picked off. He threw it right to Seattle Seahawk Riq Woolen to hand the ball to Seattle just as Cleveland was getting ready to score.
Then, after the Brown went on an amazing run, not allowing any Seattle points, playing incredible defense and running the ball extremely well, they actually led 20-17 with just two minutes to go, and had the ball. This is when another Walker interception gave the ball back to Seattle at their 43-yard line. The Seahawks wasted no time scoring a touchdown an ending what would have been a season altering massive road upset win for the Browns.
To recap, one interception halted a great scoring drive. A fumble allowed the Seahawks to have great field position and score, and his final interception cost them the game. Even if it’s an incomplete pass, the Browns still get to punt, and make it that much harder on Seattle to have the last second drive.
Kareem Hunt played well again today, with 55 yards rushing on 14 carries. Pierre Strong looked fantastic, with 1 catch for 41 yards and 10 carries for 41 yards as well. Strong looks like a massive addition to this team right now.
The loss also spoils tremendous performances from David Njoku who had 4 catches for 77 yards and a score, while Amari Cooper had 6 catches for 89 yards.
One can make an argument saying, “well PJ Walker kept them in it”, but quite frankly, each one of his three turnovers were so bad, at the worst possible times, he cost them the game. Some things are that simple.
