Cleveland Browns: Winners and Losers from Browns' Win vs. Seahawks

The Cleveland Browns beat the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon in what some would call an abomination of a football game. Neither team played effectively.

The Browns are one penalty away from falling to 2-4 heading into a Week 8 contest against a tough San Francisco 49ers team.

Despite another shaky offensive performance and poor special teams play, the Browns' effort was enough to overcome the inept Seattle Seahawks. The oft-criticized defense put the rest of the team on it's shoulders and carried them through to the finish.

The 6-3 final score is not indicative of a strong performance.

A few aspects of the Browns' team improved, though, and are worth noting.

Winners: Phil Dawson

Phil Dawson connected on 52 and 53-yard field goals and had another two attempts blocked by Seahawks defensive tackle Red Bryant.

Dawson's two long scores mark the first time in his career he has achieved that feat in one game.

His reliable toe is a modest bright spot on a struggling special teams unit.

Losers: Special Teams

For the second week in a row, the Browns' special teams unit was not-so-special.

Two blocked field goals by the Seahawks demonstrated a deficiency on the field goal unit, a group who had been playing well up to this point.

Then, another aspect of special teams almost cost the Browns severely when Leon Washington returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown.

Luckily for the Browns, a block in the back nullified the play and likely saved special teams coach Chris Tabor's job.

If the poor special teams play continues, it will be interesting to see what happens with Tabor.

The Browns are really missing former standout special teams coach Brad Seeley. Seeley was not retained by the new regime and is now assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the surging San Francisco 49ers.

Winners: The Entire Defense

The Browns' defense forced two turnovers, sacked Charlie Whitehurst three times and held the incompetent Seahawks offense to a measly 137 yards of total offense.

Joe Haden returned after sitting out last week with a sprained knee and showed everyone why he was drafted seventh overall in 2010.

Haden, alongside fellow 2010 draft standout T.J. Ward, led the defense in tackles and sparked a very emotional victory for the ailing Browns franchise.

Losers: Shawn Lauvao

Quarterback Colt McCoy was on the run early and often as the Seahawks brought constant pressure. Most times, sending seven blitzers and dropping only four into coverage.

Lauvao, though, played poorly leading up to his injury and spent most of his afternoon being pushed back into McCoy's lap.

John Greco, obtained through a trade with the St. Louis Rams, did an excellent job in relief.

This could signal the end for the Shawn Lauvao experiment at right guard.

Winners: Pat Shurmur

Pat Shurmur has been under heavy fire in throughout his first five games as an NFL head coach.

His decision to act as the sole offensive coordinator as well as the head coach has been the focus of the most scrutiny. Browns President Mike Holmgren said earlier this week that he planned to hire an offensive coordinator next season, although Shurmur would ultimately be calling the plays.

None are happier than Shurmur to see the effective ball control and pasion of the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon. Play-calling, as mentioned, wasn't as controversial. The Browns played keep-away to eat the clock, running the ball 44 times while only throwing 35 passes.

Shurmur stated it perfectly: the Browns "battled" to beat the Seahawks. Whether it was for their head coach or for themselves, the team left it all on the field.

Winners: Running Backs

As mentioned, the Browns controlled the tempo and the clock as they ran 44 times for 144 yards.

Montario Hardesty carried the bulk of the load with 33 attempts for 95 yards. Also, new pickup Chris Ogbonnaya played an excellent game. He rushed three times for 15 yards and led the team with five catches for 43 yards.

Ogbonnaya was signed earlier in the week from the Houston Texans' practice squad.

He fit nicely in Pat Shurmur's offense and quickly integrated into the game plan due to his experience playing for Shurmur in St. Louis in 2009.

Losers: Spectators

No Browns fan will or should be ecstatic about the game they witnessed Sunday afternoon. For football fans, it was a very long, slow and tedious contest.

Part of me enjoyed it in a way. To watch an old-school throwback game like Sunday's clash is something not seen very often in today's scoring-heavy league.

Judging by the performances,neither team is on their way to a Super Bowl. This game was sloppy, and the lack of offense was offensive.

But hey, it's Cleveland, and at this point they'll take what they can get.