Betting Preview: Baltimore Ravens vs Seattle Seahawks

Two of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks will share the field Sunday in Seattle when Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens visit Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Jackson ran for 152 yards last week in the Ravens’ 23-17 win over Cincinnati, while Wilson is one of the early-season MVP favorites with 14 touchdown passes and zero interceptions so far.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

This is just the second time this season that Baltimore’s been an underdog, a role the Ravens relish with an 8-3 ATS record in their last 11 when catching points. The OVER has ticked up slightly from the opener, sitting at 50.5 as of Monday night at Sportsbook.

Baltimore News & Notes

Just how good are the Baltimore Ravens? We’re about to find out. John Harbaugh’s crew boasts a 4-2 record through six games, but those four wins have come against opponents with a combined record of 3-18-1. That includes last week’s victory over the Bengals, when Baltimore ran roughshod over an awful Cincy run defense for 269 yards on the ground and a 6.3-yard average per carry.

Things get a lot tougher for the Ravens over the next few weeks, beginning with this visit to Seattle and then a home game against the Patriots following a bye. With Baltimore’s secondary banged up and the defensive line struggling to generate pressure, that could spell trouble when it steps up in class to face Russell Wilson and Tom Brady in its next two games.

Fortunately, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ top-ranked attack can make up for some defensive issues, especially if deep threat WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown returns to the lineup this week as expected.

Seattle News & Notes

Russell Wilson’s brilliant season continued last week as he led the Seahawks back from an early 20-6 deficit, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a major. He’s yet to throw an interception and has been remarkably consistent, posting a passer rating of 100-plus in all six of his outings.

Seattle has needed stellar play from Wilson to overcome a defense that has been much leakier than we’ve come to expect from Pete Carroll’s crew, ranking 20th in total yards allowed and 22nd against the pass. Last week’s 32-28 win over the Browns was the fourth time in five games the ’Hawks have allowed 26 points or more.

But that defense will get a much-needed shot in the arm this week with the return of defensive tackle Jarran Reed (suspension), who recorded 10.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits in 2018.

Betting Pick: OVER 50

Seattle and Baltimore have reputations as excellent defensive teams, but the reality is that their offenses are their greatest strengths in 2019. Look for the OVER to cash for the 12th time in the Seahawks’ last 16 games.