5 takeaways from the Ravens 37-3 victory over the Seahawks

The Baltimore Ravens controlled every facet of the game in their 37-3 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Baltimore controlled the time of possession by holding onto the ball 40:04, while Seattle managed 19:56. The Ravens also had 29 first downs to the Seahawks six, converted 6-13 third downs and Seattle went 1-12. Baltimore outgained Seattle 515-151 and went 3-6 in red zone efficiency. 

Eight different receivers had catches for the Ravens and the rushing game was key – with two different rushers finding the endzone three total times. While Baltimore punted and fumbled on four drives, the Ravens scored on seven separate drives and turned the ball over on downs in their final drive, which was more of a formality. The Ravens are now 7-2 and are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the American Football Conference, following the team’s four straight victory.

Here are five takeaways from the Ravens 37-3 blowout victory against the Seahawks.

Keaton Mitchell may be Baltimore’s secret weapon

Baltimore entered Sunday with the most big plays on the ground with 35 rushes of 10 yards or more. Rookie running back and son of former Ravens safety Anthony Mitchell, Keaton, only needed nine rushing attempts to gain 138 yards (15.3 yards per rush) and a touchdown. Mitchell had a 60-yard run and broke open a 40-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore a 29-3 lead with 0:36 left in the third quarter.

Mitchell is someone who has the breakaway speed that only Lamar Jackson possesses on the offense. His pairing with Gus Edwards, is potentially the thunder and lightning duo that fans expected entering the season with J.K. Dobbins. Speaking of Edwards, he had five carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns in the 37-3 victory.

“Money” Mark Andrews keeps up his strong play

It helps when one of the top tight ends is there as a safety valve for a dynamic quarterback. Mark Andrews continued his strong play on Sunday with nine receptions for 80 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per catch. His longest catch-and-run went 16 yards. With so much attention paid to Andrews, offensive coordinator Todd Monken was able to get Isaiah Likely to assert himself in the offensive game plan with four receptions for 42 yards. 

Another day at the offense for Lamar Jackson

Jackson was efficient. He went 21-for-26 (80.8 percent) on passes for 187 yards and had 10 carries for 60 yards. While Jackson didn’t find the endzone, the threat of his arm and legs combined froze Seattle’s defense. His numbers may not be gaudy enough to win this year’s Most Valuable Player Award if he doesn’t throw more touchdowns, but Jackson is clearly taking what’s given to him and keeping the defenses honest. 

Ravens defense is in rare air

The Ravens completely dismantled a Seahawks offense that entered the game at 5-2. Baltimore crushed Seattle up front at the point of attack – allowing only 28 rushing yards (1.9 yards per rush), 123 passing yards and holding Geno Smith to 3.8 yards per pass. Smith was dropped in the backfield four times for 34 yards lost, there was a strip sack by Kyle Van Noy that the Ravens recovered and another interception by Geno Stone. 

Baltimore now has 39 sacks on the season. That’s good enough for the top ranking in the National Football League. Van Noy didn’t come to Baltimore until Sept. 30 – he already has five sacks in six games for the team. Odafe Oweh had his second sack of the season. Justin Madubuike now sits at 7.5 sacks on the season.

Stone leads the NFL with six interceptions. The team is only allowing a touchdown on 8.7 percent of opposing drives, per Benjamin Solak of The Ringer. Only one team is better in the history of Tru Media Sports’ data – the 2000 Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

Odell Beckham Jr. finds the endzone

It was the game that the long-time NFL receiver was looking for. Odell Beckham Jr. was second in the team in receptions (5) and receiving yards (56) and had the team’s lone receiving touchdown at the 8:19 mark in the fourth quarter – Beckham Jr. ‘s first as a Raven. Beckham Jr. would reasonably do the Park Heights Strut when he scored, shouting out Baltimore in the process.