Penalty costs Seahawks in 6-3 loss to Browns

"They said he led with his head, you can't do that," said Carroll, careful not to blame the officials. "It looked like Kam tried not to do that and get his head to the side and then actually wrapped him up and threw him down. You guys had a better look than I had, so I don't know what to tell you about that."

Seattle's chances took a big hit before kickoff, when Lynch, the team's leading rusher and top offensive weapon, had back spasms. Lynch remained on the sideline and at one point appeared ready to enter the game.

"He's had an ongoing thing with his back since he arrived with us," Carroll said. "It came up right before game time and he couldn't get loose. We tried to work with him the whole game and keep him going. He was about ready to take a shot at going after it, but he had sat too long."

Notes: Seahawks starting CB Walter Thurmond broke his leg and is done for the season. Carroll said Chancellor injured his knee. ... Washington started in place of Lynch and finished with 39 rushing yards and caught four passes. ... DE Chris Clemons got two of Seattle's five sacks. ... LB David Hawthorne was credited with 11 tackles and intercepted McCoy.