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Browns seek third straight victory against Seahawks

Nov 4, 2007 - 11:55 AM Seattle (4-3) at Cleveland (4-3) Sunday 4:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Having won consecutive games for the first time in four years, the Cleveland Browns now try to accomplish something they haven't done since 2001 - win three in a row.

The Browns, who already have matched last season's win total, host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in a battle of 4-3 teams.

A victory would accomplish another goal - an above .500 record at the midpoint of the season for the first time since 1994.

If the Browns beat the Seahawks, they can think about making a playoff run in the second half of the season. Cleveland is tied with the Baltimore Ravens for second place in the AFC North, one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, the schedule gets tougher as Cleveland has posted back-to-back victories against the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams, who are the league's only two winless teams.

Still, the Browns showed an ability to come from behind against the Rams last week - something that was lacking in recent seasons.

Derek Anderson threw three more touchdown passes as Cleveland rallied from an early 14-point deficit to defeat the Rams, 27-20.

Since replacing Charlie Frye in Week Two, Anderson has guided the Browns to a 4-2 record. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes in seven games, putting him on pace to break Brian Sipe's franchise record of 30 set in 1980.

"That's what I've been counting on and he's been producing," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said of his quarterback. "He continues to get better. He's able to put points on the board."

The Seahawks, who are coming off a bye, snapped a two-game slide with a 33-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams on October 21.

With a one-game lead over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, Seattle is in prime position to win its fifth straight division title.

Still, the biggest issue for Seattle is getting Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander untracked.

Alexander, who fractured a bone in his wrist in the opening game this season and has been playing with a cast, ranks 13th in the NFL in rushing with 460 yards. But he is averaging a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry and has scored just two touchdowns.

Seattle will try to slow down the Browns' offense by getting pressure on Anderson. The Seahawks have 23 sacks, the league's second-best mark.