Your entire scenario is based on the assumption that the Indy offence will have it's way with the Ravens defense and that the Ravens offense will have little success vs the Indy defense. So one would also assume that IF this is how the game unfolds then you might just have a winning pick by going with Indy and giving -6.5 pts.
Now lets examine a different scenario. Suppose the Ravens have success running the ball and controling the clock which would keep the Indy offense OFF the field and limits Mannings snaps. Then suppose Manning does not have the tremendous success passing that you envision. Indys chance would be limited for scoring a high amount of points in this scenario and the Ravens have a better than average chance of scoring at least 21 points. Add to this the potential for the Ravens defense to score and you have a completely different outcome than the game you predict.
The Ravens know that they will be better off covering lanes and not trying to flat out sack Manning on every play. Baltimore is very good at tipping passes and picking off the rebounds. Once Manning gets flustered and shows frustration he tends to try and force throws by checking down to quick slants that the Ravens WILL try and exploit. If Indy continues it's poor rushing performance average of 80.9 yards per game, then Manning will be force to pass and the Ravens already know he will be more than happy to try. On average Indy throws 8 times more per game than does Baltimore who in turn runs approximately 8 times more per game than Indy. So we already know what these teams will try and do to each other.
The KEY to this game is the Ravens rushing success. Not long runs, but rather timely rushes for continued 1st downs. The clock is the Ravens friend in this game as there style is consistent with what it takes to keep Peyton on the bench. The Ravens "D" is also consistant with what it takes to slow Manning since they can get pressure with less numbers and defend the pass with more numbers in the lanes. Manning must be able to throw deep to win this game since dinking and dunking passes will play into the Ravens hand of slowing the game down.
This game is NOT the slam dunk you make it appear to be. Manning is a robot and the Ravens will provide the wrenches to hamper his success.
The Ravens might lose this game, however I do not see the dominant victory that you seem to believe. I actually think the Ravens have a 50-50 shot of leaving Indy with the SU win here.
I wonder how many ONE MINUTE drives the Ravens have given up this season to support your claim that Manning will be able to do it easily.
You make it seem like Indy is unstoppable on offense, right?
Well of the 14 regular season games they won this season, there were wins by 2,4,4,3,1,2,7,and 4 points. WOW!!!!!!!
I'd retink your "Rosey" scenario and take into account that they will be facing an angry team that has been playing football for the last month while the Colts have been looking at films and chalkboards and getting use to a losing attitude.
The Manning led Colts had a hard time beating The Rex Grossman led Bears in the Super Bowl a few years back. Flacco is not Rex Grossman and Manning has lost MORE big games than he has won. For being such a master, he has yet to master big games.
Ravens+6.5 and some on the SU win as well.
You're an idiot. Watch the games before you make such stupid ass comments! The Chicago bears defense was one of the best in the 2000's and clearly the team was good if they made the SB. How many big games has Peyton lost? If you watched the games you would see that it was the defense's fault because they couldn't get a 3rd down stop in key situations or Dallas Clark dropping an easy catch on 4th down as was the case in the their last 2 playoff games. Ravens have a 50-50 shot to walk out of indy with a win . Let's remember what happened last time Baltimore came to Indy and Peyton Manning was injured as well, was the score 31-3?
Manning has been forced to throw the ball all season and what happened? 14-2 record and a 4th MVP award, what is going to change this Saturday?
What happened last game? Manning threw 2 picks and Santi fumbled in the red zone and the Colts came off a HUGE emotional win and still managed to beat the Ravens in Baltimore. Ray Rice ran for 71 yards on 20 carries.
This idiot brings up a irrelevant point of how the Colts had trouble beating the Bears in the SB. What does that have to do with anything? Shall I bring up games where the Colts blew teams out?
Clearly you hate the Colts and Peyton Manning but don't let that hate for them get in the way of not seeing the facts and the fact is that. The Colts own the Ravens.
LUCAS OIL STADIUM WILL BE FIRED UP!! Especially after the bull shit that occurred week 15.
LET'S GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!