The 5-2 Seahawks will face the 6-2 Baltimore Ravens on the road this week, as they look to maintain first place in the NFC West. Here are six things to know about their AFC opponent ahead of Sunday's Week 9 matchup:
Lamar Jackson: New-and-Improved Offense
Sixth-year Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is thriving under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Through eight games, Jackson has completed 160 of 227 passes for 1,767 yards and nine passing touchdowns, while rushing for another 380 yards with five scores. Jackson's 70.5 completion percentage is currently a career-high, ranking third-best league-wide.
With an average of 25 points per game, Baltimore currently ranks No. 7 in scoring league wide. Seattle will look to slow down the league's 2019 most valuable player, as he comes off a season-low 157 passing yards in Week 8's 31-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Gus Edwards: Back in Action
Fifth-year Ravens running back Gus Edwards returned to practice on Thursday, after missing Wednesday’s session with a toe injury. Baltimore's leading rusher through eight games has 426 yards on 105 carries, just seven yards away from his 2022 total. At five touchdowns, Edwards is one shy of tying his career-high of six, set in 2020.
The Rutgers University alum leads Baltimore's rushing attack, who currently ranks No.3 league-wide with 143.1 yards per game on the ground.
Zay Flowers: First Impression
In April, the Ravens selected Boston College wideout Zay Flowers with the No.22-overall selection in the 2023 draft. Through eight weeks, the rookie leads Baltimore in receiving yards (461) and receptions (44).
Seattle will prepare for the first-year receiver to be heavily-targeted, as he has had five-plus targets in seven of eight games and 10-plus targets in three.
Mark Andrews: Mr. October
Ravens sixth-year tight end Mark Andrews leads all players at the position with six touchdowns through eight weeks. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 32 receptions for 397 yards (12.4 YPC). All-six of Andrews' touchdowns came in the month of October, recording three touchdowns over the past two weeks. The Oklahoma alum has recorded five-plus touchdowns in five-consecutive seasons.
Justin Madubuike: Breakout Year
Year four has gotten off to a hot start for Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, as he leads the defense with a career-high 6.5 sacks. The 2020 third-round selection had just three sacks in his first-two seasons before reaching 5.5 in 2022. Madubuike has recorded four of his sacks over the past three weeks, in addition to his first forced fumble.
Roquan Smith: Making a New Home
Last November, the Ravens acquired sixth-year linebacker Roquan Smith via trade with the Chicago Bears. The Georgia alum recorded 86-combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and an interception in his first season with Baltimore. Through eight games in 2023, Smith has nearly passed his 2022 tackle total (82), along with 1.5 sacks.
"Ro's talkative," said Hamilton. "He's talkative on the field, which helps us communicate, but he's non-stop talking in the locker room. If you come in here tired, he's going to call you out and wake you up. It's contagious. [He has] an infectious mindset. It's really changed our team for the better."
The Georgia alum leads the league's one of the NFL's stingiest defenses through eight weeks, with Baltimore allowing just 15.1 points per game (1st) and 276.5 yards per game (2nd).
The Seahawks and Ravens face off on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Ravens.
