Peyton Manning Will Have To Wait Again For Next Year

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts

This is the battle of the old Baltimore team versus the new team that now represents Charm City. The Colts won three NFL Championships and one Super Bowl in their 31 years in Baltimore before the infamous midnight move that brought them to Indianapolis after the 1983 season completed. They have won one Super Bowl, in 2006, since then.

The Ravens were previously known as the Cleveland Browns until they dealt The Forest City a hard blow by moving to Baltimore just before the 1996 season. Though most residents of Baltimore still are angry over the Colts departure, they are happy the Ravens were able to secure a Super Bowl victory in the 2000 season.


What To Watch From The Ravens

The Ravens play the type of football that is conducive for the playoffs. They enjoy trying to run the ball down opponents throats all day, while relying on their experienced defense to set them up with excellent field position by shutting the oppositions offense down. Expect a heavy dose of handoffs to running backs Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and Le'Ron McClain if they have not fallen too far behind Indianapolis.

One extra big reason the Ravens need to be successful running the ball this week is because of the health of their quarterback Joe Flacco. Because of his hip injury, the Ravens asked him to pass just 10 times last week. The Ravens won handily, despite the fact Flacco accrued just 34 yards through the air. It is doubtful they can win again with that lack of production from him, but it remains to be seen exactly how healthy he is now.

If the Ravens have on defensive weakness, it is their secondary. Free safety Ed Reed looked good returning from injury last week, and he was part of the reason Baltimore shut down the Patriots aerial attack. The unit will tested again by another team with a prolific quarterback known just as much for his leadership as he is throwing the ball. Baltimore needs a repeat performance if they want a chance at victory.

If the secondary can hold up, Baltimore can again use exotic blitz packages. It was very effective against the Patriots Tom Brady last week, causing the Canton bound quarterback to cough up three interceptions and a fumble. The Colts also have a quarterback whose Canton bust has already been made. Rattling him with the same impact could carry the Ravens a long way towards victory.


What To Watch From The Colts

The Colts need to run the ball. Their offensive line has been better on pass plays this year, but the unit needs to make sure the Colts ground out respectable results. The rushing attack has been mostly average all season for Indianapolis, even in spite of having a special passing attack to make their jobs easier. Another mediocre showing could spell doom to championship hopes.

Tight end Dallas Clark is a Pro Bowl player and one of the Colts primary weapons. He will matched up against Ravens strong safety Dawan Landry, who has played mostly excellent all season. The Colts like to line up Clark all over the line of scrimmage, so it is possible Pro Bowl safety free safety Ed Reed will also be used in coverage schemes against him. If Clark is ineffective, it takes away a huge chunk of the Colts offensive attack.

Indianapolis has a pair of Pro Bowl defensive ends in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. They are undersized players who rely on speed and quickness off the edge. The Ravens have two mammoth offensive tackles in Jared Gaither and rookie Michael Oher. The Colts have dealt with injuries to their defensive secondary superbly all of this season, and much of that success came from the chaos created by Freeney and Mathis.

The Colts are carrying two excellent placekickers on their playoffs roster this year. One of them, Adam Vinatieri, has been dealing with a bad knee most of this year. He was shut down and replaced by Matt Stover, who kicked for the Browns/ Ravens from 1991 until he retired at the end of 2008. Stover was lured out of retirement after their sixth game, and has missed just two field goal attempts all year. He now is a symbol of both teams ties to Baltimore.

The Colts are trying to become just the second team, and the first since 1967, to win a Super Bowl after ending a regular season with two straight losses.




Quarterback : Definite Edge Colts

Running Back : Definite Edge Ravens

Receivers : Definite Edge Colts

Offensive Line : Definite Edge Ravens

Defensive Line : Even

Linebacker : Definite Edge Ravens

Secondary : Even

Special Teams : Even

Coaching : Slight Edge Ravens

If the Ravens get off to a hot start anything like last weeks win over New England, the Colts could be in trouble. If Baltimore can shut the Colts down on the ground, Manning will be the only target for the Ravens to focus on. The Ravens offensive line needs to dominate again to give them a chance at victory.

Ravens 27   Colts 24