Ravens (4-2) at Seahawks (5-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CenturyLink Field, Seattle
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s by 3 ⁄2
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Ravens’ keys to victory: This game will mark the much awaited homecoming of Ravens FS Earl Thomas, who Baltimore acquired this offseason via free agency. After nine years in Seattle, Thomas is more than familiar with any tricks QB Russell Wilson and the Seahawks could throw his way. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson has lacked protection at times this season, but the Ravens lead the league with an average of 205 rushing yards per game.
Seahawks’ keys to victory: They must find a way to keep QB Russell Wilson upright despite injuries to LT Duane Brown and RG D.J. Fluker. Defensively, the Seahawks need to turn quarterback pressures into meaningful sacks. Seattle’s newest edge defenders, Ziggy Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney, have yet to live up to heady expectations, but Jarran Reed’s potential return from a sixgame suspension could help.
Matchup to watch: Ravens FS Earl Thomas vs. Seahawks WR DK Metcalf. While Thomas is well-versed in the Seahawks’ offensive game plan, he has yet to meet Metcalf, a rookie who is quickly becoming one of Wilson’s favorite targets. Thomas has much to prove in his first appearance against Seattle, and putting a stop to Wilson’s MVP-caliber numbers will be his No. 1 priority.
Who wins? After just the third 5-1 start in franchise history, the Seahawks are rolling toward what they hope will be another playoff appearance. Thomas and the Ravens will keep things close in the Emerald City, but Seattle ultimately will prevail.
Seahawks, 33-28 line: Seahawks
Ravens schedule
W ........ at Miami ........ 59-10 W ......... Arizona ......... 23-17 L ...atKansasCity ...33-28 L ....... Cleveland ....... 40-25 W at Pittsburgh 26-23 (OT) W ...... Cincinnati ...... 23-17 Oct. 20 ... at Seattle ... 4:25 Oct. 27 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 3 . New England . 8:20 Nov.10...atCincinnati...1 Nov. 17 ....... Houston ....... 1 Nov. 25 at L.A. Rams 8:15 Dec.1 ...SanFrancisco ...1 Dec. 8 ....... at Buffalo ....... 1 Dec. 12 .... N.Y. Jets .... 8:20 Dec.22 ...atCleveland ...1 Dec. 29 .... Pittsburgh ..... 1
Seahawks schedule
W ........ Cincinnati ........ 21-20 W ..... at Pittsburgh ..... 28-26 L ...... NewOrleans ...... 33-27 W ........ at Arizona ........ 27-10 W ........ L.A.Rams ........ 30-29 W ...... at Cleveland ...... 32-28 Oct. 20 ..... Baltimore ..... 4:25 Oct. 27 ........ at Atlanta ........ 1 Nov. 3 ..... Tampa Bay ..... 4:05 Nov. 11 at San Francisco 8:15 Nov. 17 ............... BYE .............. Nov. 24 at Philadelphia 8:20 Dec. 2 ..... Minnesota ..... 8:15 Dec. 8 ... at L.A. Rams ... 8:20 Dec. 15 ....... at Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 22 ....... Arizona ....... 4:25 Dec. 29 San Francisco . 4:25