Seahawks Blow Lead, Lose to Browns in OT

The Seattle Seahawks let one slip away in Cleveland, as the Browns rallied from a 15-point deficit to triumph 33-30 in overtime.

Seattle led 21-6 in the second quarter thanks to two touchdown tosses by Matt Hasselbeck, as well as a 94-yard punt return for a TD by Nate Burleson.

However, the Browns seized the momentum in the second half, driving 69 yards in six minutes for a touchdown on their opening drive.

Seattle could only kick field goals as the Browns scored two more touchdowns on 10- and 14-play drives.  Cleveland QB Derek Anderson had ample protection and threw for 364 yards on the day.

The turning point came in the fourth quarter, with Cleveland down 24-16.  Within field goal range, Browns coach Romeo Crennel decided instead to go for it on 4th-and-1.

Anderson completed a 13-yard pass to Kellen Winslow to get down to the two-yard line.  Jamal Lewis punched it in on the next play to pull Cleveland within 24-22.

Winslow had a huge game, reeling in 11 catches for 125 yards—including four for 45 yards on the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter. Anderson completed eight of 11 throws on that drive.

After Cleveland took a 30-27 lead late in the fourth, the Seahawks rallied to send the game into OT on a 22-yard field goal by Josh Brown.

Seattle won the toss to start the extra period, but on 3rd-and-long, they had a first-down run by QB Matt Hasselbeck overturned by booth review.

Seattle then gambled but failed to convert on 4th-and-inches, as Maurice Morris was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

Cleveland took over with excellent field position at their own 44 and marched down the field to set up Phil Dawson's 24-yard game-winning field goal.

Problems abounded for Seattle along the front lines, both offensively and defensively.

Offensively, the Seahawks continued to have problems converting short downs, including the crucial fourth down play in overtime.  Coach Mike Holmgren was visibly upset after the play and characterized the O-line's performance as "terrible" in postgame interviews.

Defensively, the Seahawks allowed just 64 yards rushing, but couldn't come through on goal-line stands.  Lewis had four touchdown runs, all of two yards or fewer.

Seattle also lacked a pass rush, not sacking QB Derek Anderson once in the game.

Running back Shaun Alexander continued his ineffective play, gaining just 32 yards on 14 carries before leaving due to injury. Morris led the team with 55 yards rushing on just nine carries.

Bobby Engram was Seattle's most consistent receiver, catching 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. D.J. Hackett returned from injury to nab six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Hasselbeck had a productive day but battled periods of inconsistency, possibly due to a strained oblique muscle suffered two weeks ago. Hasselbeck overthrew a wide-open Hackett on a possible touchdown in the third quarter and had several other throws go awry.

Overall, though, Hasselbeck played well, completing 64 percent of his passes for 318 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.

Luckily for the Seahawks, they play in the NFL's worst division, the NFC West, and thus still hold a one-game lead over second-place Arizona.

Seattle's best win came against Tampa Bay in the opening week of the year.  They have had trouble finishing close games, as evidenced by this week's loss and their 23-20 loss to the Cardinals in Week Two.

The Seahawks' second-half schedule is relatively easy, as they only play one team (Baltimore) that currently has a winning record.

They are still the favorites to win the division, but they'll have fix problems on the offensive line and give their defense more chances to rest if they hope to crack 10 wins.