Are the Seahawks set up for a blowout in Baltimore?
Dec 12, 2015, 10:27 AM | Updated: 10:31 am
A Richard Sherman pick-six helped derail the career of Matt Schaub, who may start Sunday vs. Seattle. (AP)
(AP)
BY
Former Seattle Sports Host
I’ve missed two or three in a row now with picking the correct outcome against the spread in Seahawks’ games. My record dipped below .500 last week and sits at 5-6-1 after thinking the Vikings would win 17-13. They lost 38-7.
This record is not as bad as “The Smokin’ Jim Moore Lock of the Week,” which fell to 4-8-1 after I expected the Seahawks and Vikings to score fewer than 42 points combined. They scored 45.
With the “Smokin’ Lock of the Week,” I don’t see anything on the NFL schedule I’m all that excited about, which might be a good thing. Usually when I’m dead certain, I’m dead wrong.
This week I’m going with Dallas +7 at Green Bay. For whatever reason, I feel like the 4-8 Cowboys are energized by still being in the NFC East hunt. The Packers, though 8-4, have not been playing well and were fortunate to beat the Lions two Thursdays ago on the luckiest Hail Mary in NFL history this side of the Golden Tate miracle by the Seahawks in 2012.
Now that I’ve taken Dallas, just watch, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will pick this week to snap out of it and win 48-10.
As for the Seahawks, they are favored by 10 ½ over the injury-depleted Ravens, who will play without Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett and several other starters.
No one expects the Ravens to win the game outright. The Seahawks appear to be peaking after playing their best game of the season in Minnesota. They have the second-ranked defense and seventh-ranked offense.
The offense has been most impressive, averaging 36 points in the last four games.
Statistically, the Ravens are better than their record indicates, at No. 11 in offense and No. 14 in defense. It’s unclear who will start at quarterback, Matt Schaub, still suffering from concussion symptoms, or Jimmy Claussen, who already lost to the Seahawks 26-0 in the third week of the year with the Bears.
Either one would work for the Seahawks. Schaub is a pick-six throwing machine, hurling one four years ago for Houston as Richard Sherman turned a loss into a win.
It shapes up as a blowout with the Seahawks having plenty of incentive – a win would move them into the No. 5 playoff spot in the NFC.
They will get it done in Baltimore, but I’m guessing it’ll be a battle, and John Harbaugh is the reason why – he’s a heck of a coach.
Line: Seahawks by 10 ½.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Ravens 20
Season record against the spread: 5-6-1
The Go 2 Guy also writes for SeattlePI.com and KitsapSun.com. You can reach Jim at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.
