When the Seattle Seahawks take on the Baltimore Ravens, it will be a great test for a 6-2 team to take on a 5-2 team. The Ravens are favored to win this game, and they have some matchup advantages that could lead to a win. What can the team do to make this happen?
3. Can the Baltimore Ravens defensive scheme get to Geno Smith?
Geno Smith has proven that he belongs in the NFL, and he is a solid starting quarterback. However, he can be known to carve up some bad defenses and struggle when the competition gets ramped up. This year, he has some pretty notable splits under pressure. Per PFF, he ranks 31st out of 34 qualified quarterbacks in big big-time throw rate, and he ranks 10th in turnover-worthy plays under pressure. When he is kept clean, his turnover-worthy throws drop from 5.4 to 3.2, and his big-time throws go up from 1.1% to 6%.
What is interesting to note is that he struggles under pressure, but not the blitz. Against the blitz, he ranks 9th in big-time throws and 10th in turnover-worthy throws. So, teams have to get home without blitzing. The Ravens blitz some of the least, but because they mix up who is coming, they are one of the best at getting pressure without blitzing.
More than that, Geno Smith is much better against zone coverage than man. The Ravens are nice because they are more multiple than most teams, but they lean towards man coverage. Brandon Stephens is currently in the top five in man coverage snaps, and they should be deploying this heavily against Geno Smith.
If you can get home without blitzing and lock up the receivers in man, you can beat a lot of teams, and Geno Stone is no exception. The Ravens are good at both, and that is why they are 6-2.
2. The Baltimore Ravens have to attack the Seattle Seahawks offensive line
The Baltimore Ravens need to get pressure without blitzing. That is easier said than done, but it is possible because the Ravens' front has played great, and the Seahawks' offensive line has been banged up. They are starting to get their health together, but there has been shuffling at all five spots. The left side seems to be getting settled, with Charles Cross and Damien Lewis playing together for two straight games together. Still, those are the only two games these two have been healthy next to each other, so it may take time to gel.
Their starting center was out on week seven, so week eight was the first week that these three all played together. On the right side, rookie Anthony Bradford has settled in, but he is a fourth-round rookie who has struggled. The Seahawks may be getting Phil Haynes back to replace him as well. Then, the right side has been a heavy rotation due to the injury of Abe Lucas. Three names have tried to replace him, and none of them have worked. Stone Forsythe, Jason Peters, and Jake Curhan have all had chances this year, and last week we saw all three.
So, Seattle is still trying to get things to gel, and now they head to the road to take on the Ravens. Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike are hot, and Jadeveon Clowney will spend most of his time on the questionable right tackle situation. It should be a good to dominate up front.
1. The Seattle Seahawks have not seen a quarterback like Lamar Jackson
The Seattle Seahawks' defense has improved significantly this year, especially in their run defense. However, they have not seen a rushing attack like Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, the closest two mobile quarterbacks that the Seahawks have seen are Daniel Jones and Joshua Dobbs. No one is mistaking either for Jackson, but Dobbs had seven rushes for 43 yards against Seattle, and Daniel Jones had ten rushes for 66 yards. Beyond that, it was Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young, Jared Goff, Joe Burrow, and PJ Walker, who did have six rushes for 27 yards.
They have faced a lot of pocket quarterbacks, and any quarterbacks with even the slightest ability to run the ball have been able to get the needed rushing yards on the ground. The Seahawks have a strong secondary, and the Ravens pass attack is not lethal enough to test it. The Seahawks can stop the runs straight up the gut from Gus Edwards, but the legs of Lamar Jackson look to be deciding the factor in this game.
The Ravens' defense has a shot to get pressure up front against this offensive line, and if they can do that without blitzing, it will be tough for Geno Smith. In a defensive game, we will see if Jackson can win it.