Seahawks vs. Browns: Key Matchups to Watch in Week 8

But while Ward, Newsome, and Emerson have played well, they have yet to face off against a receiving corps possessing the talent of the Seahawks and have benefited from playing against multiple backup quarterbacks. With Smith running the show and the quartet of Metcalf, Lockett, Smith-Njigba, and undrafted sensation Jake Bobo at his disposal, Seattle has the weaponry on the outside to take advantage of a cornerback group that has allowed four touchdowns this year, including three by Ward himself. Downfield shots will be hard to come by because of Cleveland's pass rush, as the team has only given up 16 explosive pass plays all year, but if Smith has time to throw, Seattle could have a chance to hit on a few chunk plays.

--Seahawks cornerbacks Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, and Devon Witherspoon versus Browns receivers Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Donovan Peoples-Jones: Due to the instability at quarterback with Watson struggling when healthy and Walker completing only 50 percent of his passes in two games, the Browns haven't yet hit their stride with the passing game. But while numbers for Cooper, Moore, and People-Jones haven't been overly impressive, those stats don't paint an accurate picture for the talent they have at receiver. One of the league's best route runners, Cooper has managed to eclipse 90 receiving yards in three games this year despite the quarterback situation, while the explosive Moore had his best game of the season last week with 59 yards against the Colts and can win both as a vertical threat and creating yardage after the catch.

With Walker set to start for the second time in three weeks, the Seahawks will have to be prepared for a quick strike passing game emphasizing short and intermediate concepts with Moore, Cooper, and Peoples-Jones all capable of doing damage from the outside or the slot. Moore's burst and elusiveness will present a different test than what Witherspoon has faced so far in his career from the slot and he will have to get him to the ground quickly with the ball in his hands to limit yards after the reception, while Woolen will need to be on his A-game against the crafty Cooper, who has the size and athleticism to give the second-year defender trouble.

--Seahawks center Evan Brown, guards Damien Lewis and Anthony Bradford versus Browns defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst: Along with being stingy against the pass, the Browns have been equally as dominant shutting down opposing ground games and a big part of the equation has been the play from a retooled interior defensive line. Tomlinson, who signed a four-year, $57 million in free agency, has solidified the middle with his massive presence, making it quite difficult for opponents to run between the tackles. Harris, who the Seahawks released in March as a cap casualty, has been a quality addition in a rotational role, with him and Hurst ranking first and second on the team in run stop percentage per Pro Football Focus.

Last week, Seahawks running back Ken Walker III managed to rush for over 100 yards for the first time this season, but the interior offensive line struggled to generate push at the line of scrimmage. In particular, the team missed Brown's physicality, as Oluwatimi got pushed around by massive nose tackle Leki Fotu most of the afternoon. With the veteran back in the lineup alongside Lewis and Bradford, who has been a more consistent presence in the run game than his rookie counterpart, the home team will be hoping for a bit more success off the snap to allow Walker and Zach Charbonnet to get downhill and take some of the burden off Smith and the passing game while slowing down Garrett and company. But that may be easier said than done with the talent across from them.

--Seahawks safeties Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Julian Love versus Browns tight ends David Njoku and Harrison Bryant: While the Browns have quality receivers on the outside, the best security blanket for a backup quarterback like Walker comes in the form of tight ends and the visitors from Lake Erie have plenty of talent at that position as well. Built like he was chiseled from stone with a rock hammer, the 246-pound Njoku ranks second on the team in receptions (24) and third in yardage (216) and offers the ability to stretch the field as well as winning in the middle of the field as a short-yardage target. Bryant hasn't been used near as much in the passing game as the past with only three catches, but he's a capable intermediate target who scored seven touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Given Walker's propensity to unload the football quickly and the likelihood coach Kevin Stefanski will prioritize short passes as a play caller, Adams and Love could be frequently targeted while matched up against Njoku and Bryant. In the event Cleveland tries to stretch the field vertically with either player, particularly the athletic Njoku, Diggs will have to be ready to take away seam and post routes from his center field position. Tackling from the group in coverage will also be crucial, as Njoku can be a battering ram with the football in his hands and currently ranks fifth among tight ends in yards after the catch and second in yards after the catch per reception.