Colts Look to Ride Momentum To Victory Against Ravens Sunday

On Sunday October 12^th, the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens will face off for the 8th time since the Colts midnight Mayflower move from Baltimore in 1984. Both the Colts and Ravens are 2-2 in the win loss column, but the Colts have yet to get their first win in their new home, Lucas Oil Stadium. They have also yet to open a season with three straight home loses since 1997 (before the Manning Era), when they finished 3-13.  What better as way to cristin the stadium win column but with a much needed win against the city they once were.  This may however, be easier said than done.  

Many people had written off Baltimore after their 5-11 season last year and the offseason firing of their one time ever untouchable coach Brian Billick. With a rookie quarterback and an “aging” defense many people expected the Ravens to finish celler dewelers in the AFC East in 2008. Quite the contrary.  New coach John Harbaugh has kept their defense a stout unit. They may not be the defensive brick wall they were in the 2001 and 2006 season, but the Ravens are quietly emerging as a legitimate threat in American Football Conference this year. The Ravens own one of the NFL’s top defenses again this season and lead the NFL in total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and passing yards allowed. As usual the Ravens are built around a strong defense, but the not too shabby play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has given opposing defensive coordinators something to plan for as well.  On Thursday it was even announced that the Ravens have named Flacco the starter for the rest of the season.

The Ravens could pose a difficult task for the Colts on Sunday. “The Ravens play two-, three- and four-lineman fronts,” Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said, “and they feature a wide variety of blitz packages from all areas of the field.” This makes them a hazardous team to run the ball against. With one of the most feared front defensive lines in the game, Ray Lewis and company will bltiz fast and blitz often. The Colts have seen an array of nasty blitzes from every opposing team early on this season with their starting line in shambles since week one. Good news is on the horizon though. The Colts will have center Jeff Saturday, and offensive lineman Tony Ugoh and Mike Pollack back to help cement the offensive line. Also on the upside, Baltimore’s secondary has not been the poster child for good health as of late. Pro Bowl corner back Samari Rolle has already been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup with a neck and shoulder injury. This is good news for the likes of Marvin Harrison, as Reggie Wayne will most likely draw Chris McCallister in coverage. Tight end Dallas Clark is finally healthy after a 5 catch 81 yard effort in Week 5 and looks to return to the middle threat he was last season. Wide receiver Anthony Gonzales returned to practice on Thursday after experiencing a concussion against Houston, and is expected to play as well. Keeping the ball spread out  with an efficient air attack will again play key to a Colts victory Sunday.  

There is no doubt that Ravens defense has been nasty this year. In return the best way to beat the Ravens is to make them beat us with their offense.  Baltimore is 27^th in the league in scoring at only 18.8 points per game. Joe Flacco has been a consistent quarterback in the pocket, but sports a nasty 1: 4 touchdown to interception ratio. Last week against the Tennessee Titans, he threw two costly interceptions that ultimately cost the Ravens the game. He also had a third INT taken back after a successful challenge by Harbaugh. I expect the Colts to bring the blitz against Flacco in order to fluster the inexperienced quarterback into keeping his unimpressive ratio on track. All eyes will be on Colts DE’s Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Freeney will line up across from Ravens first-year starting LT Jared Gaither. This will be the toughest test of the year for Gaither and expect Freeney to add to the 3 sacks he already has this season. Freeney suffered a leg injury late last week, but coach Dungy seems optimistic Dwight will suit up against Baltimore.  One big question mark for the Colts is the health of cornerback Kelvin Hayden. Hayden who has started all 5 games of the season, will more than likely miss this weeks game and possibly more with a knee injury. The Colts will start Tim Jennings in his place but this could give Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason an upgrade. The Colts will also be with out 2007 NFL Defensive MVP Bob Sanders again this week.

Keeping Flacco and the rest of the Ravens offensive unit on the field is the Colts key to victory. In other terms, don’t let offensive mistakes spell points for Baltimore. The Colts also need kicker Adam Vinatieri to shake off a big missed field goal attempt against the Texans last Sunday, and convert back into the kicker that went 5 for 5 against the Ravens in the 2006 AFC playoffs.   Indianapolis ended last Sunday’s game with momentum that could move mountains. They need to carry that momentum into their game against Baltimore. The Colts have had to play catch-up in every game so far this season, and they need an out of the gate, all out offensive attack that puts points on the board quick and early. No more of this coming back from down 17 at halftime junk. They need to ride their hot handed win from last week and make it the start of many consecutive wins to come.