What to know about the Seahawks’ Week 9 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens

A matchup of two first-place teams looms on Sunday when the Seahawks make just their second trip to Baltimore in 20 years to play the Ravens.

One of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Ravens (6-2) have won three in a row to take over the top spot in the AFC North.

It’s the Seahawks’ first trip to Baltimore since their 35-6 romp of the Ravens in 2015. And it’s their first meeting since the Ravens came to Seattle in 2019 and pulled away for a 30-16 victory on a wet and dreary afternoon.

That was a signature game in an MVP season for Lamar Jackson, then in his first full season as Baltimore’s starting QB.

With the score tied late in the third quarter, Ravens coach John Harbaugh memorably asked Jackson if he wanted to go for it on a fourth-and-2 play at the Seattle 8-yard line. Jackson was emphatic: “Hell yeah, Coach! Let’s go for it!”

Jackson then scored on an 8-yard touchdown run to give the Ravens the lead for good, and he finished with 116 yards rushing that day. The Ravens scored two defensive touchdowns against the Seahawks in that game — Marcus Peters’ pick-six off Russell Wilson, and Marlon Humphrey’s fumble-return TD late in the fourth — and Justin Tucker kicked three field goals.

Jackson, Humphrey and Tucker remain as cornerstone pieces for a Ravens team that’s favored against the Seahawks this week.

Week 9
Seahawks (5-2) at Ravens (6-2)
10 a.m. PT Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium
TV: CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
Line: Ravens opened as a 5.5-point favorite

Another (MVP) run for Lamar?

In 2019, Jackson threw 36 touchdown passes with six interceptions and he ran for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns en route to winning the MVP award in a unanimous vote.

He’s on pace for a similar output this season.

The 26-year-old Jackson, listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, has thrown for 1,747 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 70.5% of his throws. He’s also rushed for 380 yards in eight games, averaging 5.1 yards per carry with five rushing TDs.

The Ravens have played four of their past five games on the road — including a Week 6 victory over the Titans in London.

Their lone home game during that stretch was a 38-6 blowout of the Lions in Week 7. Jackson was 21 for 27 for 357 yards with three TDs and one rushing TD (and one lost fumble) in that game.

“That’s just Lamar. That’s Lamar being Lamar,” Harbaugh told reporters in Baltimore last week. “I think it’s just some of his innate talent. How he sees the game is pretty special.”

An explosive offense

Jackson is thriving so far under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. And he’s not the only one.

Behind a stout offensive line, the Ravens have been one of the most explosive offenses in the league this season.

They’re averaging 25.3 points per game, sixth-most in the NFL, and their 143 rushing yards per game ranks second.

Veteran tight end Mark Andrews is a matchup problem, with 32 catches for 397 yards and six touchdowns — the most among all tight ends.

Running back Gus Edwards had three rushing touchdowns in a 31-24 victory at Arizona on Sunday, and rookie receiver Zay Flowers — selected in the first round, two picks after the Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba — leads the Ravens with 44 receptions and 461 yards receiving (with one touchdown).

“We’ve been showing glimpses of what we could be,” Jackson said recently. “We just need to be more consistent, driving the ball down the field and scoring points.”

Pressure’s on

Baltimore’s defense leads the NFL with 31 sacks, and the Ravens are allowing 4.2 yards per play, also best in the league.

Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike has a team-leading 6.5 sacks, one of eight Ravens who have been credited with multiple sacks this season. Also on that list: 30-year-old edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, the one-time Seahawk.

Clowney, playing for his fifth team in six seasons, has 3.5 sacks and 11 QB hits after signing a one-year deal with Baltimore for $2.5 million.

“He’s done a great job,” Harbaugh said of Clowney recently. “We’ve always thought the world of him as a player, playing against him, and when you have to scheme against him … it’s really tough. When you face guys like that, and then you have a chance for them to play for you, you’re excited about that. He’s played really well. He’s fits what we’re doing well and plays hard. I’m glad he’s here.”

Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith ranks among the league leaders with 82 tackles, and safety Geno Stone leads the league with five interceptions.