Seahawks get a mixed bag of grades on defense against Browns

The Seahawks defense was terrible early versus the Browns but recovered enough to help Seattle move to 5-1 in 2019. Here are the grades for the defense.

The Seahawks defense gave up three touchdowns on the first three drives for the Browns on Sunday. That was awful. For a split second, I forgot I had followed Seattle football for the last forever and that they would correct the game and then correct again and then adjust. I gave up and thought this was going to be a blowout. It wasn’t as Seattle won 32-28. The defense was one reason why. Grades? Here they are.

Defensive line

Again, the Seahawks got no sacks from its defensive line. This needs to stop. Sure, Jarran Reed returns next week, but he cannot be the only answer. Ziggy Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney signed one year contracts to be in Seattle, So far, this is a good deal for Seattle because Clowney has been OK but not worth $15 million a season and Ansah has been blah (only one sack in four games!) so Seattle might be able to re-sign them both for less than what they are paying them this season. Ansah did cause and recover a fumble versus the Browns, but the line needs to be better.

Grade: C+

Linebackers

Mychal Kendricks blew a coverage again and allowed an extremely productive Browns play. But the linebackers, except for one 52-yard run for Browns running back Nick Chubb, did their jobs. Plus, K.J. Wright had a basically game-ending interception on a deflected pass. This group is still one of the NFL’s best; Just it is no longer the clear best and that needs to change.

Grade: B

Secondary

The safeties were pretty weak. Bradley McDougald missed a tackle and allowed Chubb to gain those 52 yards. But Tre Flowers had the first interception of his career and Shaquill Griffin broke up a pass that caused another pick. For the Seahawks to be a true Super Bowl contender, they need better safety play, but the corners are OK right now.

Grade: B