The 2024 NFL preseason is mercifully almost over. The Seattle Seahawks will be taking the field tonight at home against the Cleveland Browns in their last preseason game of the year. So far we have only seen brief glimpses of the team's starting defense, which was dominant in a few series against the backups of the Los Angeles Chargers a couple weeks ago.
Tonight we'll get another glance at new head coach Mike Maconald's tricky new defensive scheme as he attempts to trip up the Browns and Kevin Stefanski, who intends to play starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and the rest of his starters. While he's dramatically diminished the last couple of years, Watson was a fringe top-five talent just a few years ago and there's still a chance he might be able to recapture some of that old dynamic magic.
Cleveland's offense is also loaded in the trenches, at wide receiver, tight end and in the backfield. Injuries and turnovers ended their playoff run last year but the Browns had already proven to be arguably the deepest and one of the most well-coached teams in the NFL right now. So, they should offer a good test for Macdonald and his Seahawks.
On offense we'll finally get to see the first-string unit out there, or at least most of it. Macdonald told reporters a couple days ago that it will be determined on an individual basis, but most starters will play. That includes long-ass-bridge QB Geno Smith, who hasn't appeared in the preseason as of yet. For what it's worth Smith and the Seahawks won a tough battle against this elite Cleveland defense last season at home, 24-20.
Once Smith has gotten his reps with the starters (likely no more than a couple of drives) we'll get treated to another big helping of backup Sam Howell, who looked brilliant in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans after a shaky start against the Chargers. When Howell's reps are done it'll be time for P.J. Walker, who was subbing in for Watson last year for the Browns when they lost to Seattle. Walker played well that day, but so far his preseason work has been ugly. This is his last chance to put something good on film and prove he's worth the third-string spot.
Kickoff is at an exceptionally late 7:00 p.m. Pacific time.
