Baltimore Ravens vs Seattle Seahawks: Predictions and Odds (NFL Week 7)

What: Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks
When: Sunday, October 20 at 4:25 pm ET
Where: CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington
How (TV): FOX

Ravens vs Seahawks: Latest point spread

Ravens +3.5, Seahawks -3.5

In what looks like one of the best matchups in Week 7 of the NFL’s 100^th season, the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens travel due west across America to face the 5-1 Seattle Seahawks in a cross-conference battle of playoff contenders.

Lamar Jackson and his RPO offense is putting Baltimore’s offense on the map, while Russell Wilson’s accurate arm and smart decision making is turning a lot of football heads these days, and the two teams should give each other plenty of trouble as they fight to stay atop their divisions almost halfway through the football season.

Either of these two teams is strong enough to take this important game, so here we take a quick look at how both have set themselves up for Week 7.

Be sure to check out our Week 7 Power Rankings!

The 4-2-0 Baltimore Ravens

Even Seahawks fans have to agree that the Baltimore Ravens have one of the more exciting quarterbacks in the league right now in Lamar Jackson, who has used his speed and quickness to enhance the team’s running game while keeping defense’s honest with a surprisingly accurate arm.

The Ravens’ defense isn’t exactly what it used to be (although it’s better than the Seahawks D right now), so they will have to step up and get after quarterback Russell Wilson if they expect to come out on top of the surging Seahawks.

This game marks the return (of sorts) to Seattle for free safety Earl Thomas, one of the greatest players in Seahawks’ history, who basically departed Seattle with a broken leg and a one-finger salute to head coach Pete Carroll, so expect him to play big in this one.

The 5-1-0 Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will win this game simply because they have Russell Wilson, and there are few NFL quarterbacks more accurate with the ball right now, his completion percentage an impressive 72.5.

Not only do the Seahawks have Wilson’s mobility out of the pocket to fuel their offense, they also have receivers Tyler Lockett and rookie phenom D.K. Metcalf who are helping to create a top-ten passing offense for this team.

Running back Chris Carson has quietly become the league’s fifth most productive rusher, so if the Seahawks 20^th ranked defense can step up and keep the Ravens’ league-best offense off the field up (talking to you, Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah), then this game could easily go the home team’s way.

What’s at Stake for Ravens vs Seahawks?

These two teams have met 5 total times (including 0 postseason games), with Seattle winning 3 of those times and Baltimore winning the other 2 games.

The last time these two teams played was in December of the 2015 season when the Seahawks manhandled the Ravens 35-6 in Baltimore.

If the Ravens win this matchup, they’ll move to 5-2-0 and have an early lock on the AFC North, with the 2-4 Cleveland Browns on a bye in Week 7 and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 2-4, as well.

But if the Seahawks come out winners in this one, they’ll be 6-1-0 and stay close to the San Francisco 49ers, who are going into Week 7 undefeated at 5-0, and they’ll remain ahead of the 3-3 Los Angeles Rams, who enter the week right at .500.

Who’s favored to win this Week 7 Ravens-Seahawks matchup?

Which team has a better offense? Defense? Special teams?

Which team’s quarterback is more likely to lead his team to victory?

We’re going to briefly compare the Ravens and the Seahawks next and attempt to answer those questions and more.

Offensive Stats Comparison

Baltimore Ravens Overall Offense

• Ranked 9^th overall in 2018
• Ranked 1^st overall in 2019

Passing attack: The Baltimore Ravens have the 14^th ranked passing offense in the league right now, averaging 245.7 yards per game through the air after six weeks.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is currently ranked the 13^th most productive passer in the league having completed 127-of-195 passes for 1,507 yards and 11 touchdowns with 5 interceptions and a completion percentage of 65.1.

The Ravens’ leading receiver after six weeks is tight end Mark Andrews, who is currently 21^st in the league with 34 catches for 410 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Rushing attack: The Ravens’ rushing attack is ranked 1^st in the NFL after averaging 205.0 yards on the ground per game.

Lamar Jackson is the Ravens’ best runner and he is currently the 8^th best in the NFL (among running backs) with 69 carries for 460 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

Baltimore has scored 184 total points this season, or 30.7 per game, which is the 2^nd best total in the NFL.

Baltimore Offensive Injuries

Listed as questionable for Week 7: wide receiver Marquise Brown (ankle).

Injury note: offensive guard Randin Crecelius (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve.

Seattle Seahawks Overall Offense

• Ranked 18^th overall in 2018
• Ranked 5^th overall in 2019

Passing attack: Seattle has the 8^th best passing attack in the league right now after averaging 268.5 yards through the air each game.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is the 8^th best passer right now after completing 137-of-189 passes for 1,704 yards and 14 touchdowns with 0 interceptions (as in zip) and an impressive completion percentage of 72.5.

The Seahawks’ best receiver is currently Tyler Lockett, who has caught 35 passes for 454 yards with 3 touchdowns in six weeks, ranked 12^th among NFL receivers right now.

Rushing attack: Seattle has the 9^th ranked rushing attack, so far averaging 130.5 rushing yards per game.

Chris Carson is the Seahawks’ best runner and now he is the 5^th most productive in the NFL with 118 carries for 504 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

Seattle has scored 165 points in 2019, averaging 27.5 per game, which is the 6^th highest average in the NFL right now.

Seattle Offensive Injuries

Listed as questionable for Week 7: running back Rashaad Penny (hamstring) and offensive tackle Duane Brown (biceps).

Injury notes: tight end Will Dissly (Achilles) is listed as doubtful, while guard Phil Haynes (sports hernia) is listed as PUP-R, while guard Jordan Simmons (knee), running back Adam Choice (undisclosed), tight ends Ed Dickson (knee) and Justin Johnson (Achilles) and offensive tackle Demetrius Knox (knee) have been placed on injured reserve.

Offensive Advantage

These are both powerful offenses, but Russell Wilson seems more capable of closing the deal here with Lamar Jackson on the road in the midst of noise having a tough time calling his audibles.

Defensive Stats Comparison

Baltimore Ravens Overall Defense

• Ranked 1^st overall in 2018
• Ranked 13^th overall in 2019

Pass coverage: The Ravens have the 25^th best pass defense in 2019 so far, allowing opponents to throw for 269.5 yards through the air per game.

Baltimore’s defense has 5 team picks and they have 11 sacks total.

Run coverage: The Ravens are the 4^th best NFL team against the run right now after allowing opponents to run for 80.7 yards per game.

Baltimore has allowed their opponents to score 140 total points, or 23.3 per game, which is 20^th lowest in the NFL.

Ravens Defensive Players to Watch

Check out Baltimore’s inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (he’s questionable, see below), the guy can tackle, so far with 30 total tackles (2 for a loss), 4 quarterback hits plus a sack.

The Ravens have a beast for an outside linebacker in Matt Judon, so far with 4.0 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 20 tackles (5 for a loss).

Watch for Marlon Humphrey in the Ravens’ secondary, the cornerback flies to the ball, with 2 interceptions, 9 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, a recovered fumble plus 17 total tackles.

Ravens Defensive Injuries

Listed as questionable for Week 7: cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (knee – MCL) and Maurice Canady (hamstring), linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (ankle).

Injury notes: safety DeShon Elliott (knee) is listed as OUT, while linebacker Otaro Alaka (hamstring), cornerback Iman Marshall (undisclosed), safeties Fish Smithson (undisclosed), Tony Jefferson (knee – ACL) and Brynden Trawick (elbow) and cornerback Tavon Young (neck) have all been placed on injured reserve.

Seattle Seahawks Overall Defense

• Ranked 16^th overall in 2018
• Ranked 20^th overall in 2019

Pass coverage: The Seahawks’ defense is 23^rd best against the pass, allowing their opponents to throw for an average of 267.0 yards per matchup.

Seattle’s defense has 6 interceptions on opposing quarterbacks and they have 10 total sacks after six weeks.

Run coverage: The Seahawks are 11^th best against a rushing attack, allowing opponents to run for an average of 92.8 yards per game.

Seattle has allowed their opponents to score 146 total points this season, or 24.3 per matchup, which is 22^nd fewest in the NFL.

Seahawks Defensive Players to Watch

Want to see a brilliant tackler? Keep your eyes on Seattle’s K.J. Wright, the outside linebacker currently wit 48 total tackles, an interception and 4 passes defended.

There is a linebacker on the Seahawks that can do it all, Mychal Kendricks already has 2.0 sacks, 2 quarterback hist, 2 passes defended and 29 tackles (4 for a loss).

If anyone is going to pick off Jackson in this game, it will probably be Seattle free safety Tedric Thompson, who has two interceptions so far this season, plus 4 passes defended and 16 total tackles.

Seahawks Defensive Injuries

Listed as questionable for Week 7: no Seahawks’ offensive players are currently listed as questionable for Week 7.

Injury notes: defensive tackle DeMarcus Christmas (back) is listed as PUP-R, defensive tackle Jarran Reed (suspension) is listed as OUT, while defensive tackle Nazair Jones (knee), linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee (undisclosed), cornerbacks Jeremy Boykins (undisclosed) and Kalan Reed (neck) have been placed on injured reserve.

Defensive Advantage

The Baltimore Ravens are historically good at defense, and though they are not quite up to their normal snuff this season, they still outrank the Seahawks overall and therefore have the defensive advantage on Sunday.

Punters

Baltimore’s veteran punter, Sam Koch, is in his fourteenth NFL season (all with the Ravens) and so far he has punted 15 times this season for a net average of 41.7 yards per punt, which is currently 22^nd best in the league.

Seattle’s punter, Michael Dickson, is in his second NFL season, both with the Seahawks, and this year he has punted 28 times for a net average of 39.4 yards per punt, 32^nd best in the NFL right now.

Placekickers

Baltimore’s placekicker, Justin Tucker, is in his eighth NFL season, all with the Ravens.

Tucker has made 13-of-13 field goals so far this season, his longest a 51 yarder, and so far, he has missed zero extra point attempts (17/17).

Seattle’s placekicker Jason Myers is in his fifth NFL season, his first with the Seahawks.

Myers is 5-for-7 in 2019, his longest a 42-yarder, and he has missed one extra point attempt (18/19).

Punt Returners

Baltimore’s punt returner, cornerback Cyrus Jones, is ranked 5^th in average punt return yardage this season.

Jones has returned 8 punts for 98 yards, averaging 12.3 yards per return.

Seattle’s punt returner, wide receiver Tyler Lockett, is ranked 44^th in punt return average in 2019.

Lockett has returned 8 punts for 19 yards and no touchdowns, averaging 2.4 yards per return, his longest for 10 yards.

Special Teams Advantage

The Baltimore Ravens have a better punter, a more dependable place kicker and a more effective punt returner, so they have the definite advantage in this one.

Final Game Analysis

Why Will the Ravens Win this Game?

The Baltimore Ravens will win this one because their overall run game is almost impossible to beat, and then when you add in Lamar Jackson’s ability to throw deep to Hollywood Brown (assuming he’s healthy, see above), they are too tough to defend unless you happen to be elite, which (all due respect) the Seahawks are not.

Baltimore is better on both sides of the ball here, so all they have to do is put up with the ‘away’ noise of CenturyLink Field and do their jobs and a win here seems almost mathematical.

Jackson is dangerous enough on the ground, but then when you throw in the hard-hitting Mark Ingram with Gus Edwards adding some definite heat, the Ravens will dominate by using their run game to slowly pound the Seahawks into submission.

Why Will the Seahawks Win this Game?

The Seahawks will win this one against the visiting Ravens because Russell Wilson is beginning to figure out exactly who he is and it turns out he is not only mobile and a quick decision maker, he is also incredibly accurate through the air and he will throw footballs through Baltimore’s 25^th ranked passing defense like it’s the Swiss cheese it is.

Seattle has one of the league’s best running backs, Chris Carson, and he will have a fun time pounding up against the Ravens’ 4^th ranked rushing defense, the goal being to create enough of a distraction to let Wilson (via Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf) have his way through Raven’s porous secondary.

The Seahawks’ defense will need to find a way to stop Jackson from taking advantage of their man-to-man coverage (nothing he loves more than to run on defenders with their backs turned) and a way to make the bruised up rookie Metcalf (see above) feel uncomfortable.

This Game Goes to the

Seattle Seahawks by 4 points, because in the battle between Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson, Wilson and his veteran experience, wins by a slender curly hair.

John Breech of CBS Sports predicts the score as Seahawks 34, Ravens 31

My prediction for the final score is Seahawks 34, Ravens 30.

Ravens vs Seahawks: Odds

The latest odds for the Ravens vs Seahawks are provided by bet365 NJ, 888Sport NJ, DraftKings, and Unibet NJ.

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