Breaking down the Ravens-Colts match-up
As it turns out, Saturday is Joe Flacco's Birthday - as well as Jim Caldwell's, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
So, the big question is, who's going to truly celebrate late Saturday night?
Well, let's break it down...
Ravens:
-Their last meeting against the Colts was on November 22. They only lost by 2 points (17-15), but if WE only had Matt Stover!
-On November 22, Joe Flacco threw for 256 yards - very different from the 34 yards he put up against the Pats last Sunday.
-In two meetings against the Colts, Ray Rice has 26 carries for a total of 94 yards.
-The Ravens have failed to rush for 100 yards against the Colts' defense in their last 5 games. They average 3.3 yards per carry.
-The Ravens are 0-4 against the Colts since 2006
-The Ravens' defense has only given up 29 TD's in 17 games this season - second to the Jets with 28
-This will be the Ravens' fourth road trip (Pittsburgh, Oakland, New England, and now Indy).
-Ravens Jared Gaither (ankle) and Todd Heap (back) are injured.
Colts:
-The Colts haven't played a meaningful game in nearly a month.
-They've never won a playoff game coming off a first-round bye.
-The Colts are second in the NFL in passing offense, averaging 282.2 yards per game.
-Peyton Manning won his 4th MVP award this season, and he passed for 4500 yards and threw 33 TDs.
-The offensive line has only allowed 10 sacs in 16 games this season and Peyton has only been sac'd 3 times in 6 meetings versus the Ravens.
-Peyton Manning is 7-2 all-time vs the Ravens.
-The Colts are the worst in the NFL in rushing, only averaging 80.9 yards per game with Joseph Addai and Donald Brown.
-Their pass defense starts two rookie corners and they've allowed 212.7 yards per game this season.
-Their rush defense ranks 24th in the NFL, allowing 126.5 yards per game and their total defense is ranked 18th.
-The Colts' defense has 34 total sacs this season and Dwight Freeney has 13.5 of those 34
-Indianapolis isn't contending with any injuries.
Match ups:
-Joe Flacco vs the Colts rookie corners
-The Ravens Offensive line vs Freeney and Mathis
-Ray Rice vs the Colts rushing defense
-Peyton Manning vs Chris Carr and Frank Walker
-Reggie Wayne vs Dominique Foxworth
-Ray Lewis vs Dallas Clark
-Matt Stover vs Billy Cundiff
Anita's prediction: Colts 27 Ravens 24
I believe this will be a high-scoring game. Ray Rice and Joe Flacco will be able to put points on the board against this Colts defense, but I also see Peyton Manning having the time to pick this Ravens secondary apart.
I envision a last minute drive, engineered by Peyton Manning, setting up Matt Stover for a 39-yard, game-winning field goal with 3 seconds left on the clock...game over! The Colts move on to take on San Diego and Ravens fans spend a week calling into sports talk radio shows and complaining about what a horrible decision it was to let Matt Stover go...
 |
Categories (click for archive)Anita Marks | MASNblogs |
I think Flacco and his receivers have a day that catapults the Ravens to the AFC championship and cements Flacco's stature as "Joe Cool." Ravens 31, Colts 24.
Anita, I agree with your prediction, but I don't think it's going to be that close. The game is being played in a dome and the crowd is going to be a big factor. If the Colts get out, say, to a two-touchdown lead and make the Ravens get away from the run and force Flacco to win it, it could be a rout, because there's only so much the Ravens can do about the Colts' relentless DEs Freeney and Mathis, as well as the Colts' blitz. Could get ugly.
Cots 31 Ravens 16
Anita, its nice to see you all routing for the Colts, but i have envisioned a totally different game, I see Adai getting his Adou,,so to speak, and I think the ravens are going to step up the pass defense so hard that they forget about the speed and agility of Little Joe, and I think Joseph Adai will have his way with a slow defensive line without safety help.
Anita, every simulation I can run between the Colts offense and the Ravens defense leaves Adai all alone with the pass play as well, lets not forget that adai has also become a great receiver, and has a better passer rating than whats his name....painted something, cant remember the name though.....