Pete Carroll on Seahawks facing Ravens: ‘This is a great challenge’

While they haven’t been the most convincing wins, the Seahawks have nevertheless managed to beat some of the league’s best teams this year. In Week 2 they squeaked out a road win over the Lions and on Sunday they pulled off a clutch comeback victory over the Browns. They also had a couple chances to upset the Bengals on the road but came up just short.

This week we’ll get to find out if those were flukes or if this Seattle team can really hang with the contenders. On Sunday they’ll visit the Ravens, who currently sport a 6-2 record and a defense that may be even better than the vaunted Cleveland unit that the Seahawks just faced.

Head coach Pete Carroll was asked about Baltimore in yesterday’s press conference. He called it a great challenge and noted that they are good in all three phases.

Going by the traditional numbers, Baltimore might have the best defense in the NFL right now. They are allowing a league-low 15.1 points per game and rank second behind the Browns in yards allowed per game. They’re not bad on offense either, averaging 25 points per game, which is the seventh most in the league. If we go by the advanced stats they’re even better. Heading into Week 9 the Ravens rank No. 4 in offensive DVOA, No. 1 in defensive DVOA and No. 1 overall.

Sounds like a classic championship opportunity. With a win the Seahawks should at least enter the best-team-in-the-NFL conversation.

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Story originally appeared on Seahawks Wire