The Browns will host both the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings to open up the preseason. The Browns and Vikings are scheduled to have joint practices, so having a matchup as the second preseason matchup was to be expected. They open up with the Packers to open up their preseason slate. It makes sense that the Browns would schedule three NFC opponents. They aren’t on the regular season schedule and the earliest they could see them would be the Super Bowl.
What does stand out is the fact the Browns are traveling to Seattle for their final preseason game. For years, the Browns have kept their preseason pretty local. They often face off against teams like the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. They even created the Great Lakes Freighter Trophy, a trophy shaped like a barge, to commemorate the preseason game between the Browns and Lions. The fact they would go about as far away as possible for the third game, the final tune up of the preseason stands out.
Perhaps it’s simply coincidence, but it happens to hit on one of the biggest questions the Browns faced throughout the 2023 season. The Browns went 8-1 at home last year compared to a 3-5 road record. They often looked like a completely different team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. One of those losses was in Seattle. That loss was particularly problematic because of the way they lost. The Browns seemingly had the game in hand. On third down, the Browns could’ve run the ball and likely punted, betting on the defense to win the game. Instead, head coach Kevin Stefanski called a pass with backup quarterback P.J. Walker. A quick pass bounced off of the helmet of a defensive lineman and fell harmlessly into the arms of an awaiting teammate for the interception. That set up the Seahawks to score a quick game-winning drive.
The Browns have nine road games this season and the furthest they will travel is Denver. Going all the way out to the West Coast allows the Browns to simulate the process of going on the road. It could prove beneficial. It’s unknown at this point if the Browns intend to play any of their starters, something they did this past year in the final game of the preseason.
That preseason game in Seattle will be followed up by a week off where the Browns will perform their final roster cutdown and get ready to host the Dallas Cowboys to open the season. It sure seems like Stefanski and the Browns are trying to make a point with the game in Seattle. Will it help? That remains to be seen.
