The Seattle Seahawks are heading into the regular season on a high note, coming off a four-point win over the Cleveland Browns in their final preseason game of the year.
Here are our studs and duds for the Seahawks from Saturday night’s victory.
Starting quarterback Geno Smith wound up playing only one drive the entire preseason, and it was more than enough to convince us that he’s going to be better than ever in 2024. Smith threw a pair of gorgeous deep passes on Seattle’s opening posession of the game, one to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and another to DK Metcalf for a touchdown. Smith did miss his first throw but other than that was flawless. If not for the one incompletion he would have finished with a perfect passer rating.
Seattle’s backups at QB were not nearly as sharp even though they were going up against second and third-stringers for the Browns defense. P.J. Walker completed 7 of 10 passes for just 49 yards and no scores, while Sam Howell went 6/9 for a grand total of 45 yards. At least neither one threw an interception or fumbled, but this kind of production guarantees they’re going to stay pretty far down on the depth chart compared to Smith.
Stud: RBs Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
The Seahawks run game wound up powering the offense last night, led by Kenny McIntosh and undrafted rookie George Holani, who have been competing for the number three running back spot behind Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet this preseason. McIntosh took his one carry for a 56-yard score, while Holani went for 38 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries (5.4 yards per attempt). Whatever else they decide to do at running back, these two should both be on the initital 53-man roster.
We didn’t get to see much of Seattle’s starting defensive unit, but this group was nonetheless very impressive during their time on the field. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was under constant duress in the pocket, a theme that continued throughout the game as the Seahawks finished with four sacks and seven QB hits. The back end of the defense was also quite active, almost picking Winston off twice on his opening drive.
Dud: Defensive backups
The backups for Mike Macdonald’s defense didn’t perform nearly as well as the starters, though. Led by the combination of Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson Cleveland’s offense cruised to 395 total yards of offense and 33 points. They were efficient passing and running the ball, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt on the ground and a 110.3 passer rating as a team despite Winston’s mediocre start to the game.
Seattle placekicker Jason Myers had been somewhat shaky on extra point attempts this preseason, missing one each against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans. Myers was perfect last night against Cleveland, though – hitting all four of his extra point kicks plus going 3/3 on field goals, including one from 58 yards out.
Stud: WR/KR/PR Dee Eskridge
If this was the last appearance for Dee Eskridge in a Seahawks uniform, he certainly got his money’s worth. After struggling with injuries and poor performances his first three seasons, Eskridge finally had a breakout game last night. On offense he caught all three of his targets, totaling 19 yards. Meanwhile on special teams he scored a touchdown on a 79-yard punt return and posted a 26-yard kick return, as well. Eskridge still has long odds to make the roster given the team’s depth at wide receiver.
