To get you ready for week 14, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Indianapolis Colts/Baltimore Ravens preview.
2007 Records:
Indianapolis Colts: 10-2 (1st in AFC South)
Baltimore Ravens: 4-8 (t-3rd in AFC North)
Last Week:
Colts 28, Jaguars 25
Patriots 27, Ravens 24
When the Colts have the ball: Unless you've been living in Estonia for the past decade, it's not much of a secret what the Colts are going to do offensively or what the Ravens will do defensively. The Colts are going to spread the defense as wide as they can and then attack the seams. The Ravens are going to attack and take chances that offer great reward and great risk. That's to the Colts advantage in the passing game. Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle haven't been in tip-top shape all season and their other corners are a motley crew that will struggle to keep up with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Because Dallas Clark is a favored target for Peyton Manning, Ed Reed won't be able to freelance. That limits the Ravens aggressiveness and gives Manning time to find the right guy. On the ground, though, the Ravens should be able to shoot gaps and control Joseph Addai which could open up the blitz as the game wears on.
When the Ravens have the ball: The light in the attic has finally turned on in Baltimore and they've realized that Willis McGahee is their best offensive option. He's had a strong first year in Baltimore and really carved up the Patriots on Monday night. He'll try to do the same thing this week behind Jonathan Ogden, who's got a favorable matchup with the undersized Colt ends Robert Mathis and Josh Thomas. The Colt linebackers were terrible against Jacksonville and, if they struggle again, they may need to have Bob Sanders in the box more often than not. That could open play-action for Kyle Boller who ruined an otherwise strong game with a killer fourth quarter interception Monday.
The Edge: There's two ways to look at Baltimore after Monday's brutal loss. There's the positive spin of a proud, veteran team coming together to put forth an effort everyone thought was beyond them. Yes, they lost, but they played hard and were unlucky. The negative, though, is that for all the bells and whistles of refs and timeouts, the Ravens found yet another way to shoot themselves in the foot. Penalties, turnovers and mental lapses didn't just come from nowhere. Taking the entire season into account, it's the latter view that persists and leaves the Colts as heavy favorites.
Keep an eye on:
Injuries - The Ravens could be without McAlister, who hasn't practiced this week, and several other defenders have also been limited in the run-up to the Colts. Indianapolis also has some bruised players, most notably Marvin Harrison and right tackle Ryan Diem.
Haloti Ngata - The 2006 first rounder has grown into a beast on the Baltimore defensive line and will need to be double teamed for the Colts to run the ball effectively. That should give Ray Lewis, Kelly Gregg and Bart Scott good opportunity to make plays.
