Browns Cruise Past Seahawks, 17-7

Bernie Kosar and the Cleveland Browns, not known for taking a conservative approach to a game, did so in a 17-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday.

“This is a game we were supposed to win,” Kosar said. “Seattle did a pretty good job of pressuring us, so we needed to play somewhat safer in this game.”

The Seahawks managed only 46 yards rushing as the AFC Central-leading Browns (7-3) won their fourth game in a row.

“If you win the game of turnovers, you usually win the game,” Browns cornerback Hanford Dixon said. “We didn’t have any turnovers and they had three. That was the difference.”

The Seahawks (4-6), defending AFC West champions, dropped to 1-4 in the Kingdome this season. Curt Warner had 29 yards in 13 carries.

“We haven’t been running the ball very well all year,” Seahawk Coach Chuck Knox said. “I didn’t see a whole lot of it out there.”

Bud Carson, Cleveland’s first-year coach, said he was conservative on purpose.

“I didn’t want any high-risk stuff,” Carson said. “With Chuck, you have to do that because that’s what he’s going to do.”

Kosar completed 16 of 27 passes for 173 yards, including a tie-breaking 17-yard touchdown pass to Lawyer Tillman in the third quarter.

Dave Krieg of the Seahawks threw three interceptions in the second half after the teams battled to a 7-7 halftime tie.

Krieg also fumbled a center snap and a long snap in the shotgun for Seattle’s 28th and 29th fumbles of the season, tops in the NFL. He recovered both.

“We’ve got to get the running game going,” rookie tackle Andy Heck of the Seahawks said. “We can’t rely solely on the passing game and expect to win.”

After Krieg gave the Seahawks a 7-0 lead with an eight-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, he didn’t do much right, especially in the second half.

Meanwhile, Kosar did just enough right for the Browns to beat the Seahawks for the first time since 1982. Seattle had beaten Cleveland four consecutive times.

Rookie Eric Metcalf rushed 19 times for 75 yards for Cleveland.