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Coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, the Seattle Seahawks are making another of their patented late-season charges and go for their fifth consecutive victory when they host Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The red-hot Seahawks have not allowed an offensive touchdown in each of their last two victories and are averaging a robust 35.3 points during their winning streak. Quarterback Russell Wilson has been spectacular with 16 touchdown passes and zero interceptions during that run.
Manziel finally made headlines on the field last weekend, returning to the starting lineup and engineering a 24-10 drubbing of the San Francisco 49ers, but he faces a major upgrade in talent against the Seattle - not to mention one of the league's more hostile environments.
Here are three keys to the game for both the Browns and the Seahawks.
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1. Ground and pound
The Browns are coming off their best rushing performance of the season. WIthout much of a passing game to speak of, their best bet to dictate Sunday's pace is on the ground. Last week, Isaiah Crowell managed 136 yards on 17 carries between the tackles against the 49ers, according to Pro Football Reference. That's exactly where Cleveland should start in Seattle.
2. Keep in an extra blocker
Cleveland won't have a chance if it can't protect Johnny Manziel. Blocking tight end Jim Dray played nearly half of the team's offensive snaps last week. That number needs to increase to help keep Manziel upright.
3. Bring the kitchen sink
Last Sunday, the Browns brought an aggressiveness to their defense that hadn't been seen much this season, resulting in nine sacks of Blaine Gabbert, the most by any team in a game in 2015. The Browns need to bring that nothing-to-lose mentality again and do whatever it takes to get after Russell Wilson and disrupt the passing game.
1. Sort out the running game
Thomas Rawls filled in for Marshawn Lynch better than anyone could have imagined, but losing the rookie to a broken ankle has Seattle in a lurch until Lynch is able to return from abdominal surgery. The Seahawks re-signed Bryce Brown for the third time and brought back Christine Michael - a player they traded in early September - to compete with Derrick Coleman for the starting job.
2. Collapse the pocket
Among the many laments of the San Francisco 49ers in last weekend's loss at Cleveland was allowing Manziel to make plays after escaping the pocket. The Seahawks are better equipped to deal with a mobile quarterback since much of their pressure is generated by defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, who have combined for 16 sacks, and from outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (5 1/2 sacks).
3. Keep targeting the emerging rookie
Eight of Wilson's 16 scoring passes over the past four games have gone to Doug Baldwin, overshadowing the increasing impact and production delivered by rookie Tyler Lockett. After contributing mainly as a kick and punt returner, Lockett is becoming a viable threat in the passing game. He has 20 catches and four touchdowns in the past four contests, including his first 100-yard game last weekend.
