NFL Picks and Predictions Week 10: Ravens Vs. Seahawks
By Keith Myers
I haven’t posted picks since week 3. I forgot to schedule the article in week 4, and then Riley got busy and hasn’t been available, so our little competition seems to have disappeared. But lets face it, making predictions and then having people throw them in my face when I’m wrong is one of the best parts of having a sports blog. I’m going to be posting picks each and every Friday, for as many games as I have time to get to. Lets start with this week’s Seahawks game:
Reasons for optimism
This game is going to be a defensive struggle. While the Raven’s defense is better than Seattle’s overall, it is a good matchup for the Seahawks. Baltimore’s running game is pretty weak, and Seattle’s stout run defense should have no trouble shutting it down without help from safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. This will free up that duo to help defend the pass.
In the passing game, Baltimore’s primary weapon is Anquan Boldin. Boldin is just the type of receiver that the Seahawks are built to stop. Bolding a big, tall receiver that uses his size out mussel the ball away from defenders. Seahawk corners Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman are built to cover guys like that. It’s the smaller, faster receivers like Pittsburg’s Mike Wallace that the Seahawks struggle against.
Causes for concern
The Seahawk offense is going to struggle against the Raven defense. The Ravens are #1 in the league in total defense. They are #3 against the run, and #4 against the pass. This is a defense that is good in all phases of the game.
The Seahawks must complete a few passes down the field early the game. This will keep Raven’s safety Ed Reed back away from the line of the scrimmage. Failure to do so will mean that the Seahawks will likely be completely unable to run the ball.
Final Prediction: Ravens 24 – 17 Seahawks
I really hate picking against the Seahawks, but both my gut and my head tell me this is going to be a tough game for the Seahawks. Luckily this is the last tough game for the while. After this the schedule eases up considerably.