Week 9 in the NFL offers up several marquee matchups, including a fascinating clash between playoff contenders the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.
While the Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs in Germany, and the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys will get a lot of attention on Sunday, the Ravens battling the Seahawks is a hidden gem on the NFL schedule this weekend. Both teams are in first place at the midway point of the season and have legitimate potential to be Super Bowl contenders by the end of the year. Yet the narratives surrounding the two squads are very different.
Related: Why Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson should be the NFL MVP right now
Baltimore has a former NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson who is one of the faces of the league and he is backed up by a classic Ravens defense that currently sits in the top spot of our latest NFL defense rankings. After a slow start and some surprising losses early in the season, the team seems to be hitting its stride as the offense is becoming a weekly force.
Seattle was one of the surprise teams in 2022 and they have continued that play this season as they shockingly lead the NFC West after the first eight weeks of the season. They are again led by the easy-to-root rise to prominence of quarterback Geno Smith and a very talented group of skills players like DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III. Plus, they have a solid defense that added a pair of proven pass rushers — Frank Clark and Leonard Williams — over the last couple of weeks.
A win for either team will be a big boost to their confidence and their division title hopes, so there is a lot to play for on both sidelines this weekend. With all of that in mind, here are four bold predictions for Sunday’s Baltimore Ravens vs. Seattle Seahawks game.
Lamar Jackson will rush over 80 yards on Sunday
Lamar Jackson is always a threat to tuck and run, and unsurprisingly, he is the team’s second-leading rusher in 2023. With Seattle having a solid secondary and now with the addition of two more good pass rushers, expect Jackson to be forced out of the pocket from pressure, and good coverage at times, and rack up close to 100 yards on the ground versus the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks will rush for over 140 yards as a team
The Ravens’ defense has been great this season, however, if there were one area where they could be beaten it’s on the ground. Expect Pete Carroll to try and attack that slight weakness with his offense on Sunday. Kenneth Walker III is having another good year and he is due for a second 100-plus-yard rushing game.
Furthermore, the Ravens’ pass rush will likely force Smith out of the pocket and to use his legs for yards, which is why as a team they are likely to surpass 140 yards on the ground this weekend.
Related: Lamar Jackson returns to MVP form as Baltimore Ravens expose Detroit Lions
Baltimore Ravens will sack Geno Smith five times
With tackle Justin Madubuike leading the way, the Ravens have hounded and bedeviled quarterbacks this season and currently lead the league in team sacks (31). The unit is deep and features proven old heads like Jadaveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy who are having strong seasons in 2023. Expect that to continue on Sunday as the Seahawks’ line has trouble slowing down the best pass rush in the NFL right now.
Geno Smith will toss two interceptions
Along with being tops in sacks, the Ravens are top five in interceptions and although Smith is having another good year, he is only three behind (6) the league lead for interceptions this season. As the constant pressure gives Smith happy feet and an itchy trigger finger, he will likely fall into some regrettable mistakes on his passes and throw a couple of INTs in their eventual loss this weekend.
Final score: Seattle Seahawks 14, Baltimore Ravens 20