Site Expert, Richard Bradshaw makes his pick:
This is going to be a defining game for the Baltimore Ravens and perhaps their toughest matchup yet. The Kansas City Chiefs on the road were tough, and the Seattle Seahawks stack up just as well as they do for the NFC respectively. The Ravens will need to bring the A++ game if they want to steal a win in Seattle.
To do this, it’s as “simple” as slowing down Russell Wilson… you know, the MVP caliber quarterback who hasn’t thrown an interception yet this season. No one has an answer for him, and it’s doubtful that the Ravens will suddenly have one with how their defense has played.
However, Baltimore has its own MVP caliber quarterback in Lamar Jackson, who could go stride-for-stride with Wilson. Jackson will have his legs tested vs. a ferocious front-seven but could have a field day against a subpar secondary. Jackson will need to lean heavily on Mark Andrews and co., as even if Marquise Brown plays he’ll be banged up and not 100%.
The game will ultimately come down to the Ravens defense, particularly its backend. Earl Thomas is back in Seattle and he could have himself a day to remind the Seahawks what they let go of this offseason. Newly acquired Marcus Peters could also be a key contributor to forcing the turnovers that Seattle hasn’t made this season. A bad offensive line could also help a porous Ravens pass rush…
But, unfortunately, this will be all for naught. The Baltimore Ravens haven’t proven that they can hang with top-tier teams yet and the Seattle Seahawks look like Super Bowl contenders. Going to the toughest place to play in the NFL doesn’t help their odds, either. It’s simply going to prove to be too much to handle, albeit they keep the game close.
Bold prediction: Lamar Jackson outduels Russell Wilson for total yards, Marcus Peters intercepts Wilson for the first time in 2019
Final score: Ravens 24 Seahawks 26