Ravens vs Seahawks Prediction: Low-scorer expected in Baltimore

In the second-game of a mouth-watering Sunday of NFL action on Sky Sports, two playoff chasing teams meet in what should be a thoroughly enjoyable encounter in the 18:00 window (UK time).

Once more @NFLGirlUK is here with her preview and thoughts along with her Ravens vs Seahawks Predictions...

This is going to feel like a playoff game. The Seattle Seahawks will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in a battle between two teams that are leading their division at this point in the season.

Each squad has playoff aspirations and even Super Bowl hopes with the level of talent on each roster. It’ll be interesting to see how these groups match up, which is what we’ll talk about here.

The first team that we’ll talk about is the Seahawks. Seattle has jumped the San Francisco 49ers in the division and would really love to hold onto first place for a little longer with a win here.

Offensively, the talent is in abundance. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Kenneth Walker, Noah Fant, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zach Charbonnet, and a couple others. These guys are going to create plays when it feels like there aren’t any, and the offensive line has helped them out even more.

The biggest question mark seems to be quarterback Geno Smith. The 33-year-old has been good this year, though he’s made some critical errors at strange moments, particularly in the Red Zone lately.

Seattle is hoping that those small mental mistakes don’t keep consistently showing up as the season progresses. If he plays up to his recent standards, then the Seahawks are in a wonderful position to keep this one close.

As for the defense, they have two great young cornerbacks to partner with two savvy veteran safeties. Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon are locking it down on the outside, with Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs helping over the top.

Bobby Wagner is keeping everybody in line up front, and their defensive line has gotten better after trading for Leonard Williams. From top to bottom, this Seahawks team looks great on paper. Unfortunately for them, so do the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson is simply electric and has been such a problem for opposing defenses in 2023. Jackson has really improved as a passer once again and it makes his legs an afterthought sometimes with how effective he is through the air.

If you’re Seattle, you’re hoping that Jackson doesn’t get into a rhythm when passing the ball, or else they’d be in trouble. Especially because it means that tight end Mark Andrews is getting involved. The star-man has had three touchdowns in the past two weeks now. Andrews is part of an overall improved receiving core featuring Odell Beckham and rookie Zay Flowers.

For their defense, they have a league-high 31 sacks on the season. They have consistently gotten after the passer thanks to their coverage down the field and their great linebacker play.

It's just not easy to get the ball out quickly, and when you hold onto it, the front seven get after you. Baltimore has 13 players on the roster with at least one sack on the season.

Injuries have caught up to the Ravens lately, with Ronnie Stanley, Rock Ya-Sin, Morgan Moses, Odell Beckham, Gus Edwards, and Odafe Oweh all missing practice time this week. Luckily, safety Marcus Williams got some reps in after missing the last few weeks with his own injury.

This game feels like one of those matchups where the defense that plays with the most energy emerges victorious.

You can imagine both of these teams hovering around the 20-point mark at the end of the day, and it likely won’t be a shootout. These defenses are just too talented, and the offenses are too good to be held down to a super low-scoring affair. There’s going to be some excitement here in what’ll feel like a playoff game.

Match Odds:

Baltimore are considered pretty heavy favourites in the market coming in at 2/5 to come away with the victory. Seattle are 21/10 to go on the road and grab a win that would keep them very much on course for playoff football.

The line has been set at Baltimore -5.5, which personally feels a bit long. This should be a close game, so giving Seattle a 5-and-a-half point head start is generous.

With regards to the Total Points line, that has been set at 44.5, which feels in the right ballpark.

Lamar Jackson’s legs are certainly being accounted for considering we are Even-money that he scores anytime, topping that market along with Gus Edwards. Kenneth Walker III is the top choice for Seattle, priced up at 5/4.

Bet 1 - Seattle to Win +5.5pts @ 20/21

This feels like it could genuinely go either way, so to see the Seahawks being given that 5.5pt lead in the handicap feels very tempting.

Seattle’s only defeat in their past five was on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals and they only went down by four points. I would not be shocked if they won outright but getting them with so many points feels too good to turn down.

Bet 2 - Under 44.5 Total Points @ 20/23

If I think both teams will hover around the 20-point mark and the over/line has been set at 44.5, you bet I’m going to roll with the under.

With Geno Smith throwing away far too many chances in the Red Zone, this could be a game where the Field Goal kickers get in plenty of work, and those seven points turn into three too many times.

For all of our NFL Betting Tips throughout the season here at Betfred Insights, make sure to keep an eye out on our NFL index page to check out all of our articles...