Seahawks vs. Ravens: The Only Game You Need to Watch This Week
The Seahawks host the Baltimore Ravens and their powerful run game this week. Both teams have quarterbacks that could break open the game at any time. | Credit: Abbie Parr/Getty Images/AFP
When the Seahawks host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, expect a dazzling display of offense. Each team is led by a dynamic quarterback, and each team has a surprisingly mediocre defense. Sunday’s game in Seattle is a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Russell Wilson vs. Russell Wilson 2.0
Wilson is one the best dual-threat quarterbacks of all-time, in the midst of his best season ever. Baltimore allows the 27th most pass yards per game. This could get ugly.
Wilson can beat you with his legs or his laser-accurate arm. With a league-leading QB rating of 124.7, he can also beat you with his mind. Throwing for 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 72.5% accuracy, he’s largely powered the Seahawks to their surprising 5-1 record. He’s dusted Dak Prescott in the clutch category, as he’s tied for league-high with three game-winning drives.
With the addition of Marcus Peters this week, to go with the former legion of boom lynchpin Earl Thomas, the Ravens’ secondary could start to form a new identity. It’s just not likely to happen against this version of Russell Wilson. Expect the Seahawks QB to feast.
Meanwhile, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is taking the dual-threat concept to new heights. Jackson is on pace for 4,000 passing yards and a whopping 1,200 rushing yards. That would be the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback in NFL history.
While Jackson got off to an MVP-caliber start to the season, his passing accuracy has dipped recently. He’s thrown five interceptions in the last three games, as the Ravens barely squeaked by the struggling Bengals and Steelers. On top of that, they lack a star wide receiver. (Unless they get desperate enough to give Antonio Brown a call.)
However, Jackson could rebound against this Seahawks defense. Seattle, like Baltimore, is giving up over 20 points per game. On top of that, they rank 25th in passing yards allowed per game.
The Raven’s X factor
Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram lead a dominating rushing attack that’s racking up 205 yds/gm. The Seahawks’ run defense has been average, but they’re giving up a hefty 4.7 yards per rush. The defensive line will get a boost with tackle Jarran Reed returning from a six-game suspension, but not enough to deal with such a dynamic attack.
The Seahawks, on the other hand, average a respectable 130 rush yds/gm. However, they’ll be running into the league’s fourth-ranked rushing defense. Chris Carson and his 4.3 yards-per-carry will have a tough time this weekend.
Prediction
These two teams are very similar on paper. They both have incredible quarterbacks and subpar passing defenses. Both have good, or better, rushing attacks. While Baltimore should dominate on the ground, they come in looking shaky over the last few weeks. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have won three in a row, and that momentum ought to carry them to a home victory. And we all get the win by watching this matchup.
Seahawks – 28 Ravens – 27
