Three in a row?

It's put-up-or-shut-up-time for the Browns' defense Sunday in the Pacific Northwest against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Which one will show up this time? The unit that had chroniclers of the National Football League scrambling back to the past to find teams that put up such incredibly gobsmacking numbers in four of the first six games? Or is it the unit that was smacked around throughly by Baltimore and Indianapolis?

The 38 points the Colts put up last Sunday was stunning because it was the first time this season that side of the football for the Browns had been outfought and outmaneuvered by an opponent. The Baltimore and Pittsburgh losses were more a result of an offense that played carelessly.

At this point of the season with an offensive unit that has yet to come even close to the consistency that needs to partner with the defense and write a remarkable comeback story, this game should provide the answer.

Playing against a Seahawks team coached by Pete Carroll is not easy. He's the franchise's most successful head coach. But playing against that team in their stadium, considered the loudest from a decibel standpoint by far in football, is downright scary. 

In 108 home games under the 71-year-old head coach since 2010, the Seahawks have won an incredible 69.4% of the time. Emerging victorious Sunday would rank right up there with the upset of San Francisco a few weeks ago.

As a general rule, Seahawks fans come to life when the opposition owns the football. And with the wildly inconsistent P. J. Walker in charge of the Cleveland huddle for who knows how long and Deshaun Watson once again prowling the sidelines, it doesn't take much to mess up the rhythm and timing it takes to be effective.

That's where the Browns' defense comes in. Considering its mysterious inconsistency lately, shutting down the Seahawks offense and getting the ball back for the offense becomes the latest litmus test in what has become a must-win situation. It will definitely be less noisy when Seattle has the ball.

It seems all hands will be on board for this one. No major injuries appear on the latest injury report and Sione Takitaki, who missed the Colts victory, is listed as questionable with a hamstring, which usually means he'll suit up with his availability determined in pre-game warmups.

Running back Jerome Ford, thought to be out for a few weeks with a high ankle sprain, is also listed as questionable. His availability would relieve some of the pressure on Walker to win this game with his arm, which would be a first for the former member of the practice squad. If Ford can't go, Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr., who has looked good in short bursts lately, are ready.

Also on the questionable list is offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. with foot and ankle miseries. Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated James Hudson III would start if Wills can't make it. That portends all kinds of trouble against a defense that has rung up 23 sacks. Hudson makes Wills look a lot better than he really is. 

Why not shift former college tackle Joel Bitonio one slot over to replace Wills and insert Michael Dunn at left guard, saving Hudson for only short-yardage situations? It strengthens the pass protection the  undersized Walker needs badly.

The defense's primary goal? First and foremost, reestablish the consistency that enabled them to be the talk of the league. Clamp down on a Seattle offense that averages 330 yards a game, mostly through the air with veteran Geno Smith methodically at the helm. Smith revived his cratering career last season with 30 touchdown passes after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to Denver.

On the ground, Kenneth Walker Jr. is the main man with 450 yards and a half dozen touchdowns, helping Smith to keep opposing defenses honest. And with receivers like Tyler Lockett, D. K. Metcalf and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba putting up nice numbers, the Cleveland secondary is in for another fun afternoon.

It will be interesting to see what Stefanski has in mind for Walker, who took every snap in practice this week. He has had all week to see with whom his quarterback has either established or developed a pass-catch relationship from a timing standpoint. 

A lot more of tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones on the menu wouldn't hurt, either, since Stefanski has chosen instead to get Elijah Moore maybe a little too involved in the game plan lately. And a little more for Amari Cooper in the first half, not like last Sunday's shutout.

Then there comes a point when relying too heavily on the placekicking artistry of Dustin Hopkins, who is directly responsible for the current two-game winning streak, is dangerous. It's pretty sad the kicker, with apologies to Myles Garrett, is currently the team's most valuable player.

This result of this one will be antithetical to last week's scorefest. The Seahawks clearly have the better offense. But their defense allows 235 yards a game through the air. And where are the Browns weakest on offense? It has to be defense and Hopkins or else bye-bye winning streak. Start waving. Make it:

Seahawks 25, Browns 14 (yep, four more from Hopkins and a safety)