Seahawks versus Ravens: Our staff does not foresee a pretty outcome

Who will win when Earl Thomas comes back to Seattle when the Seahawks play the Ravens in week 7? Our staff is not hopeful.

The 5-1 Seahawks play the 4-2 Ravens in Seattle on Sunday. This is a meaningful game for potential playoff chances for each team. But the biggest emotional reason this game is huge is this is the first time 12s will see Earl Thomas on the CenturyLink Field as anything other than a Seahawk. Thomas is now a safety with Baltimore.

Who wins this week and how? Here are our staff’s best guesses.

Colby Patnode, contributor and host of the 12th Man Rising podcast

I oddly feel more comfortable entering this week than last and I don’t know why. I like the Ravens. They run the ball really well and stop it too. I like Lamar Jackson. He’s a dynamic playmaker. But for some reason, I think this could be a relatively simple win. The weather is an issue (we all know of Russell Wilson‘s struggles in the rain) and Baltimore should be able to run the ball on Seattle, at least in theory.

But I think part of the Ravens run D numbers come from their opponents. Baltimore has faced Miami, Arizona, KC, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Cincy. Not exactly the murderers row of run games. Could just be a gut call but I think the Seahawks find a way to contain Jackson on the ground and force him to try and win through the air. If they can do that, I think Seattle wins.

Prediction: Seahawks 23 Ravens 19

Geoff Shull, contributor

The Ravens are a team very similar to our own: Elite and unique offenses with mediocre defensive units. I expect this game to be a shootout. If the Seahawks can keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket, we should be able to pull out the W. However, I’m anticipating a big game from Jackson both through the air and on the ground. The guy is fast, strong, intelligent and has a knack for finding the openings. I foresee the ‘Hawks taking their second L of the season Sunday.

Prediction: Ravens 34 Seahawks 27

Blake Waldron, contributor

Seattle returns home a surprising 5-1, but are taking on a tough Baltimore team. This Baltimore rush defense is ranked 4th in the entire league and will give a run first team in Seattle a tough time. Their subpar passing defense also looks to benefit from the addition of Marcus Peters who should be rejuvenated with the scheme change. The Seahawks have lost a threat in the passing game with the untimely injury to emerging star Will Dissly. All these factors combined will spell a perfect storm for the Ravens as Russell Wilson will make his first errant throw of the year that lands into the hands of one of the members of the Ravens’ secondary. Seattle will get the short end of the stick in this back and forth game.

Prediction: Ravens 31 Seahawks 27

Todd Vandenberg, co-expert

My first thought about the Ravens was just how dangerous their offense is. They’re ranked first in yards and second in points in the entire league. Then I realized that ranking is inflated entirely by how awful the Miami Dolphins are. Baltimore scored 59 against Miami in the opener and hasn’t reached 30 in any game since. Lamar Jackson is definitely dangerous, though. Think Russell Wilson in 2014, when he threw for 3,400 yards and ran for nearly 850, and you’ve got the picture. Minimize Jackson’s running; the Ravens have won every game that he’s rushed for at least 70 yards. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Earl Thomas pick off Wilson, as he’ll be amped sky-high for this one. I also expect he’ll get burned at least twice, trying to get that pick.

Prediction: Seahawks 27 Ravens 23

Lee Vowell, co-expert

So I guess I need to be the tie-breaker. I hate to think the Seahawks cannot win this game because they can. Seattle can win any game it is involved in. My hope is that the return of Jarran Reed gives some spark to the pass rush and Seattle gets pressure on Lamar Jackson. But this game also reminds me of the Dallas game in the playoffs last season. Dallas had a mobile quarterback and a good running back and a good defense. Sounds like the Ravens.

Prediction: Ravens 24 Seahawks 23