Three Seattle Seahawks to watch in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns

Player to Watch No. 1 - Edge Rusher Boye Mafe

The Seahawks suffered an unfortunate injury in their Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Losing edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu for the season due to a pectoral injury. This means the Seahawks need another pass rusher to step up and fill the void. Boye Mafe has been one of the best pass rushers for the Seahawks in 2023. Mafe has four sacks on the season and is tied with Jarran Reed for the team lead.

Seattle drafted Mafe with the 40th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft with a pick they acquired in the Russell Wilson trade. Mafe has been building off a solid 2022 rookie season where he had three sacks. With Uchenna Nwosu out with an injury, Mafe should expect to see more snaps and opportunities to rush the quarterback. Mafe has turned into a rising star on the Seahawks' defense and will be an important piece to Seattle's defense going forward.

The Cleveland Browns have allowed the sixth most sacks (20) this year and have had a difficult time protecting their quarterbacks. Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson has been dealing with a rotator cuff injury for the past month missing each of the Browns' last two games. His status is up in the air for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

The key to victory on Sunday for the Seahawks will be getting to the quarterback whoever the Browns decide to start. Given the Browns' struggles to protect their quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson and PJ Walker, Mafe is going to have a chance to make his presence felt.