What To Watch – 2023 Week 8: Seahawks vs. Browns

1. Can the Seahawks contain All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett?

Yes, we’re starting with the obvious.

Just about every defense in the NFL features players whom opposing offenses have to worry, but very few teams have a pass rusher quite like Myles Garrett, a former No. 1 overall pick who is a four-time All-Pro and Pro-Bowler, and who has 82 sacks in 90 career games, including 7.5 this season.

“Myles Garrett is having a tremendous year and he’s a heck of a player,” said Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. “They’re very stout up front, it starts with him, but they have a bunch of different guys; Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, they have a bunch of rotational guys. All of their guys do a really good job and I think Myles gets a lot of the credit. He’s got about 7.5 sacks already. That’s well deserved, he’s one of the better edge rushers in the game. We have to create a plan for him and go out there and execute.”

The Seahawks are getting healthier this week, but are still without starting right tackle Abraham Lucas, who is on injured reserve, and right guard Phil Haynes is doubtful to play, but they have confidence in the players who have been filling in. And whether it’s Stone Forsythe at right tackle or Charles Cross on the left side, or any other combinations of linemen, tight ends and running backs tasked with protecting Smith, they know they’ll have to be on top of their game when it comes to slowing down Garrett.

“Obviously he’s a very good player, we have great players over here,” said Cross. “I feel like it’s going to be a great matchup between us.”