BALTIMORE RAVENS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 
Vegas Line: Seahawks + 6.5
Rob’s Line: Seahawks + 6.5
As much as it pains me, I’m struggling to see how Seattle will score (any???) points against this Baltimore Ravens defense. Yes, the Seahawks at home are normally a different proposition than on the road, but facing a team whose defense ranks third against the run and fourth against the pass when your own offense is averaging less than nine points per game in its last three outings doesn’t make for good bed time reading, more the stuff of nightmares.
Against Dallas last week, running back Marshawn Lynch had a very good day, bulldozing his way to 135 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, but this is a Ravens run defense that’s only allowed three rushing touchdowns through eight games this season. However, if Lynch is really pumped up for a bruising afternoon (that’s a given), he may well find that extra ounce of effort that, to this (very close Seahawks) observer, he sometimes lacks.
I’m actually looking forward to this one if only to see what Seattle have learnt this season in order to improve in 2012. They should be drafting quite high in the first round which should equal an infusion of talent and this young offensive line (Robert Gallery aside) will benefit enormously from a proper offseason next year of working together.
I’m also looking forward to this from a Seahawks perspective because, despite my doubts as to how in the name of Lombardi they will generate enough points to keep this close, Baltimore has a propensity to play poorly against bad teams. Conversely, and what must be frustrating to the fan base, is that as soon as a playoff contender hones into view, they bring their A game out.
So far this season the Ravens have lost to Tennessee and Jacksonville (both on the road) and very nearly succumbed to the Cardinals at home (the week after the Jaguars debacle) so they have form when it comes to playing poor teams. It should be pointed out though, that no matter how poor Tennessee may be deemed to be now, their win over the Ravens in Week 2 was when they could still call upon Kenny Britt to terrorise a secondary, which, technically, made them a good team.
As if to accentuate beautifully the argument above about Baltimore bringing their A game when absolutely necessary, their win in Pittsburgh last Sunday night was a thing of beauty. Trailing 20-16 with 2:24 left to play, quarterback Joe Flacco stood at his own 8 yard line. A field goal wouldn’t cut it so he knew he had to get his team to the end zone. In a performance that none of us had seen from him before when it had really mattered, Flacco directed a 12 play, 92 yard drive, hitting rookie receiver Torrey Smith for a 26 yard touchdown on 3rd and 10 with 8 seconds to go. That is about as perfect as it gets and to do it in Pittsburgh on primetime…well, Joe Flacco, you made yourself be counted and fair play because I never gave you a chance of going 92 yards in little over two minutes in Pittsburgh.
Is there any way that Seattle can protect a 6.5 point spread over these Ravens? Well, yes there is. Baltimore is coming off an incredibly emotional win followed by a cross country trek to the Pacific North West to play a team they should beat easily. I seriously doubt there’ll be an upset outright here, but I take the Seahawks and the points on offer.
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