Seahawks vs. Browns preseason Week 3: Three storylines fans must monitor

Finally! It is here! The Seattle Seahawks will play their final preseason game of the 2024 season on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.

This isn't to say that the preseason game itself will be exciting, only that the game marks the end of the part of the year before real games begin. In nearly two weeks, the Seahawks will begin their season against the Denver Broncos.

The other part of preseason Week 3 is that both teams will play their starters at the beginning of the game. This is the first time 12s will see Geno Smith and DK Metcalf (among others) play snaps in the preseason. We might learn a lot from watching them. That is part of the three bits that 12s should monitor in the game.

The Seahawks offensive starters versus the Browns defense

For the first time this preseason, the Seahawks offensive starters will play. More importantly, they will face a different kind of defense than they have seen since Ryan Grubb became the team's offensive coordinator. The Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans have a defensive scheme much like Seattle's and so in practice and in the first two preseason games, Geno Smith has faced similar alignments.

The Browns not only have a fantastic defense, but they run a 4-3 base and feature several high-end pass rushers. Smith will have to get the ball out quickly, Grubb will have to adjust to what Cleveland is trying to do, and Seattle's offensive line will be tested. One bit for 12s to especially keep an eye on is how well the right side of the O-line holds up with George Fant and (likely) Christian Haynes.

12s also haven't seen Kenneth Walker III play in a preseason game, but he has had an excellent training camp. If he can add diversity to the Seahawks offense - a versatility that was underused by former OC Shane Waldron - and Seattle can succeed at a high level against the Browns, that could bode extremely well for regular season success.

Can Jason Myers make an extra point?

This might seem trivial but the issue needs to end before it begins. In the preseason, Myers has missed two of his three extra-point attempts. One was enough to allow the Titans to have enough room in preseason Week 2 to make the winning kick in the final minute. Had Myers made his extra point, the game would only have been tied.

Myers has had no issues making long field goal attempts which could mean his extra point kicks are a mental problem. Seattle doesn't need Myers to get the yips. Making field goals is extremely important, of course, but Myers cannot go long stretches with missing several extra points.

Seattle is expected to play a lot of close, and potentially low-scoring games. That means every point counts. A missed extra point or five could cost the Seahawks a couple of games.

Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen versus Deshaun Watson

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will play even though Cleveland seems to have a turnstile happening at left tackle. In other words, the Seahawks' edge rushers should be able to get pressure on Watson. If that doesn't happen then that might imply there is an issue that needs to be fixed before Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

The real thing to watch, though, will be how Seattle uses Witherspoon and how well Woolen covers and plays the run. Head coach Mike Macdonald is not going to show his entire cards with how Witherspoon is going to be moved around, but 12s should still get an idea about what potentially can happen.

With Woolen it's just a matter of him proving how he has played in training camp is not a lie. He has bulked up and appears to have approached this season as if he could truly lose his job. We already know he can be aggressive and hit hard, he needs to do so consistently. He also needs to prove he won't get lost on crossing patterns.

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