At 5-4, the Ravens still have playoff ambitions, but they have three tough games coming up. If the Ravens can beat Indianapolis, the road to the postseason becomes much easier. After the Colts, Steelers and Packers, the schedule becomes softer with opponents like Oakland, Chicago and Detroit remaining.
The Colts rallied from 17 points down to beat rival New England on Sunday night. It was a tough game both mentally and physically. The Ravens are even more physical than the Patriots. On Sunday, the Colts will be on the road against a team desperate for a win. Fans in Baltimore still haven't forgotten how the Colts snuck out of town in 1983. Indianapolis will have to bring its A-game -- if it has enough left. The Colts have won the last six meetings between these two teams -- with Peyton Manning carving up the Baltimore defense in several of those matchups -- and the Ravens are tired of hearing about it. Furthermore, Indianapolis has won 18 consecutive regular-season games. It would do a lot for the Ravens' confidence, as well as the psyche of Baltimore fans, if those streaks ended.
Colts Keys For Success
1. Take some shots: Linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed spearhead a big-play defense that forces the issue. But that leaves the defense exposed to big plays. Manning has been masterful at deciphering the Ravens' defensive intent, picking his spots and striking. That must continue. Manning will make some bad plays, but he must counter those with good ones to wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark.
2. Contain the ground game: The Ravens possess a potent tandem in running backs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Given the chance, quarterback Joe Flacco will spend much of his day turning and handing off. The Colts cannot allow that. If they can limit the Ravens' ground game, they can get after Flacco, who has been susceptible to the pass rush (20 sacks) and turnovers (seven interceptions). 3. Maximize Joesph Addai: It figures to be tough sledding against the Ravens' sixth-ranked rushing defense, but it's imperative that Manning stick with his veteran running back. And that doesn't necessarily mean handing him the football. Addai is one of the league's better pass-catching backs and ranks fourth on the team with 36 receptions. Addai could be effective being used as a check-down option against the Ravens' aggressive defense.
Ravens Keys For Success
1. Three-headed monster: The Ravens have to utilize the three-pronged approach they used last season at running back. Baltimore's defense isn't what it used to be, and Manning will shoot down the Ravens' cornerbacks. The only way to shut down Indianapolis's offense is to give the Colts a steady diet of McGahee, Rice and Le'Ron McClain.
2. Creative blitzes: The Ravens will be without Pro Bowl defensive end Terrell Suggs (knee sprain), which changes the game plan of coordinator Greg Mattison. Mattison is old school, and he likes to get pressure with the basic four- or five-man front. But without Suggs, the Ravens are going to have to move around, shift alignments and create mismatches. They must bring pressure off the edges and up the middle, incorporating corners and safety blitzes, as well. 3. Control Clark: After Manning, Clark is the Colts' second biggest playmaker on offense. Unfortunately for the Ravens, they don't have a linebacker who can cover Clark downfield. The Ravens will either put a safety on Clark or bracket him with a linebacker and safety. Regardless, Clark cannot be allowed to roam the middle of the field.
The Bottom Line
If Manning steps on the field, he will have success against the Ravens, because their secondary is horrendous. If the Ravens can't run the ball and control the time of possession, Manning could put up 30 or 40 points. Baltimore has to get pressure on Manning, but that has been a problem for the team all season. To win, the Ravens have to play a nearly perfect game, or Manning has to leave with an injury.
Scoring prediction: Colts 28 - Ravens 10
The Colts rallied from 17 points down to beat rival New England on Sunday night. It was a tough game both mentally and physically. The Ravens are even more physical than the Patriots. On Sunday, the Colts will be on the road against a team desperate for a win. Fans in Baltimore still haven't forgotten how the Colts snuck out of town in 1983. Indianapolis will have to bring its A-game -- if it has enough left. The Colts have won the last six meetings between these two teams -- with Peyton Manning carving up the Baltimore defense in several of those matchups -- and the Ravens are tired of hearing about it. Furthermore, Indianapolis has won 18 consecutive regular-season games. It would do a lot for the Ravens' confidence, as well as the psyche of Baltimore fans, if those streaks ended.
Colts Keys For Success
1. Take some shots: Linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed spearhead a big-play defense that forces the issue. But that leaves the defense exposed to big plays. Manning has been masterful at deciphering the Ravens' defensive intent, picking his spots and striking. That must continue. Manning will make some bad plays, but he must counter those with good ones to wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark.
2. Contain the ground game: The Ravens possess a potent tandem in running backs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Given the chance, quarterback Joe Flacco will spend much of his day turning and handing off. The Colts cannot allow that. If they can limit the Ravens' ground game, they can get after Flacco, who has been susceptible to the pass rush (20 sacks) and turnovers (seven interceptions). 3. Maximize Joesph Addai: It figures to be tough sledding against the Ravens' sixth-ranked rushing defense, but it's imperative that Manning stick with his veteran running back. And that doesn't necessarily mean handing him the football. Addai is one of the league's better pass-catching backs and ranks fourth on the team with 36 receptions. Addai could be effective being used as a check-down option against the Ravens' aggressive defense.
Ravens Keys For Success
1. Three-headed monster: The Ravens have to utilize the three-pronged approach they used last season at running back. Baltimore's defense isn't what it used to be, and Manning will shoot down the Ravens' cornerbacks. The only way to shut down Indianapolis's offense is to give the Colts a steady diet of McGahee, Rice and Le'Ron McClain.
2. Creative blitzes: The Ravens will be without Pro Bowl defensive end Terrell Suggs (knee sprain), which changes the game plan of coordinator Greg Mattison. Mattison is old school, and he likes to get pressure with the basic four- or five-man front. But without Suggs, the Ravens are going to have to move around, shift alignments and create mismatches. They must bring pressure off the edges and up the middle, incorporating corners and safety blitzes, as well. 3. Control Clark: After Manning, Clark is the Colts' second biggest playmaker on offense. Unfortunately for the Ravens, they don't have a linebacker who can cover Clark downfield. The Ravens will either put a safety on Clark or bracket him with a linebacker and safety. Regardless, Clark cannot be allowed to roam the middle of the field.
The Bottom Line
If Manning steps on the field, he will have success against the Ravens, because their secondary is horrendous. If the Ravens can't run the ball and control the time of possession, Manning could put up 30 or 40 points. Baltimore has to get pressure on Manning, but that has been a problem for the team all season. To win, the Ravens have to play a nearly perfect game, or Manning has to leave with an injury.
Scoring prediction: Colts 28 - Ravens 10
