Baltimore Ravens (6-2) – Seattle Seahawks (5-3): 37-3
The Ravens are sent, the NFL is warned: the Ravens are to be taken very seriously. 517 yards to 157, 27 first downs to 6: John Harbaugh’s men raked the Seahawks this Sunday. If the attack performed despite a difficult start, the prize goes to the defense which simply trampled the Seahawks attack which was nevertheless coming off an interesting performance against the Browns.
4 sacks, 2 ball losses, including an interception, and constant pressure in the middle of an offensive line overwhelmed by opposing feints and blitzes, Geno Smith (13/28, 157 yards, 1 interception) appeared helpless. On the other side of the ball, Lamar Jackson (21/26, 187 passing yards, 10 carries for 60 yards) did the job almost quietly, helped by a monumental running game against a discouraged team (298 yards ).
A quarter to warm up
However, the match seemed set to be close. After one quarter, both teams were 0-0, thanks to stifling defenses. Content in the air, Lamar Jackson took things by the feet with three races for 29 yards before Gus Edwards finished the loan job (7-0) before doubling the lead a few drives later (14-0). What we didn’t know was that the match was over. Behind, the Seahawks only obtained two first downs, transformed into field goals, before the last quarter, when Baltimore already led 30 to 3, and Lamar Jackson had joined the bench. After a final touchdown for the road, Baltimore didn’t even hit the nail on the head at the end of the game in the red zone.
Filled with ammunition, the Ravens did have a few hiccups in attack, like a fumble by Jackson while Geno Smith sent a gift interception to his opposing namesake Geno Stone (the sixth of the season for the safety). They also nearly got Seattle back in the game before the break when Odell Beckham dropped the ball in his own court with the score at 14-3, but Kyle Van Noy recovered the ball from Smith’s hands, allowing his team to go for a new field goal. With a total of 1/12 in first downs, the Seahawks punted 7 times, including 5 times without obtaining a single first down.
A touchdown for Tyler Huntley
These two turnovers are the only negative elements for an absolutely monstrous Baltimore team which delivered a complete performance. Gus Edwards scored a double, Keaton Mitchell scored a 40-yard touchdown, Odell Beckham Jr caught a touchdown pass from Tyler Huntley, it was a real demonstration. On the Seattle side, the offensive line showed its first real limits of the season. The defense showed some positive signs at the start of the game before exploding in great width for the biggest defeat in Pete Caroll’s NFL history. As for Geno Smith, author of his sixth interception in 4 games, isn’t he, after all, Geno Smith?
