Baltimore Ravens vs. Seattle Seahawks: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Baltimore Ravens (6-2) travel to Washington to face the Seattle Seahawks (2-6) on Sunday in a non-conference contest between teams headed in opposite directions.

The Ravens have defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers—their AFC North rival—twice this season. They’re also tied for the division lead with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Seahawks are losers of three-straight and have only score 28 points in that stretch. At 2-6, a loss in Week 10 is a must if they want to make the playoffs. The San Francisco 49ers lead the NFC West with a 7-1 record, and beat the Seahawks by 16 points in the first game of the season.

Where: CenturyLink Field (Seattle, WA)

When: 4:05 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, 2011

Watch: CBS and DIRECTV: 715

Spread

Baltimore at Seattle (+6.5), according to Covers.com.

The spread may seem a little small at first, but consider the fact that the Ravens have been extremely disappointing in games they were heavily favored in this season.

After beating the Steelers in Week 1, the Ravens laid an egg against the Tennessee Titans. However, they slaughtered the St. Louis Rams in Week 3, as expectations had dropped.

After a convincing win over the Houston Texans in Week 6, the Ravens fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football during the following week.

Two weeks ago, the Ravens had to rally to defeat the Arizona Cardinals.

Using their past performances as an indicator, I’d avoid this game. If you’re forced to choose, take Seattle because the Ravens rarely run up the score.

Over/Under

Forty-one, According to Covers.com.

Defense will be predominant in this game, as both teams are in the top 10 in least points scored against.

The Seahawks are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NFL, averaging barely over 15 points per game. If they have it their way, this will be a grind-it-out, physical contest with lots of running and punting.

If you haven’t caught my drift yet, choose under.

Key Injuries (According to ESPN)

Baltimore

Ed Reed (S) is questionable with a shoulder injury. The veteran playmaker returned to practice Friday.

Terrell Suggs (LB) is questionable with a knee injury. The sack-machine is reportedly “confident” he’ll play despite missing practice on Thursday.

Seattle

Tarvaris Jackson (QB) is probable with a pectoral injury. The Seahawks quarterback has six touchdowns and nine picks this season.

Sidney Rice (WR) is probable with a foot injury. The talented receiver has had an up-and-down first year in Seattle.

Fantasy Big Plays

START Ray Rice: The Baltimore running back will be the best player on the field on Sunday. The Seattle run defense is average compared to league standards, and Rice will gain good chunks of yardage on multiple occasions.

SIT Anquan Boldin: Joe Flacco has struggled in games against low-end teams. He was horrible against the Titans, Jaguars and Cardinals. I don’t think the Ravens will go to the air too often against the Seahawks.

SIT All Seahawks: It’s the Ravens, don’t start anyone on Seattle if you don’t have to.

Keys to Baltimore Win

The Ravens need to avoid getting caught up in all the hoopla about being the best team in the AFC. Instead, Baltimore just needs to be the best team on the field every Sunday.

If the Ravens play with the intensity they do against the Steelers, they’ll win this game going away.

Keys to Seattle Win

Seattle needs to stop the run and force Flacco to beat them. If the Seahawks let Rice steal the show, they’re testing the wrong part of the Baltimore offense.

On offense, the Seahawks need to vary it up. Jackson isn’t going to beat teams on his own. Use Leon Washington and Sidney Rice to do all different types of things to try and confuse the defenders.

Rice and Jackson proved they work well together in Minnesota.

If the Seahawks are conventional, you can tally up a loss before halftime.

Prediction

Baltimore 17, Seattle 16