Baltimore at Indianapolis (01/16/2010)

Away:  Baltimore [9-7-1 ATS]
Home:  Indianapolis [10-5-1 ATS]

Game Time: 8:15 PM
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium

Recent Meetings:
11/22/09 - IND 17 vs. BAL 15

Team Leaders:

Baltimore:
Passing: Joe Flacco (3647)
Rushing: Ray Rice (1498)
Receiving: Derrick Mason (1036)

Indianapolis:
Passing: Peyton Manning (4500)
Rushing: Joseph Addai (828)
Receiving: Reggie Wayne (1264)

More:
Live Odds
In-Depth Matchup Information
Consensus Betting Information

Early lean...

Ravens -3

Bal has a better D and a good QB.  They beat the old Colts here and start the second-guessing about late-season strategy in Indy. 

Ravens - 3?

its at colts -6.5

Well Balt record in playoffs in the last ten yrs speaks volume here this gm will be close . Balt played a injured NE team so we cant compare i think the whole world knew the patriots were done so how can we hdcp this gm. Momentum vs no momentum, Manning vs Flacco sorry Manning wins every point in that argument experience, has won a super bowl, a system thats designed for passing success, better receivers, comp %, TDS, . Def well BALT wins this category big time no comparison here and there banged up as well not the greastest as of yrs past but still wins the category. Running gm small edge to Balt. Kicking small edge to Balt. So what gives they say Def wins games but what destroys Def Speed kills speed defeats defenses and thats what Indy has Balt will over pursue over run be too anxious in the box and Manning will expose this just like the great Bears the next yr in 87  Wash rolled out, had mis direction plays and pounded one of the best D of all time. Indy in a close one 24-21

This is the best home game for manning and i think he will take his team to the top...The Colt nickname is COME BACK KID and it easy for the Indianapolis Colt to be a favorite by-6.5                                      Go Manning

there is one part of this game that is a sure thing....

Flacco is going to have to throw a little more this game....

I just feel like Indy will score in the dome and Baltimore will not be able to match it... simple as that....

the only question I have is will we see an aggressive Colts team come out quick and score... or will we see a team not on their toes from the end-year-vacation....

Teams with the first round bye in playoffs are always so hard to cap....

 

 

Colts will win this game because there the better team. Throw in home field and a unbelievable noise factor when the Ravens are on offense and you have a Colts victory. The Ravens played well last week, but as I stated in earlier posts, the Pats aren't as good as some people would like you to think they are. If the Colts play error free, they cover with ease. Turnovers however will keep this game closer, but Colts prevail. The Colts have all starters back and healthy. That means Freeney and Mathis all day long and as BreakaBookie stated above, Flacco will definitely have to throw more than 7 times. Those of you who have been to the "Oil Can ", know what I mean when I say it's freakin loud when the opposing team has the ball. This will lead to mistakes by a young Flacco, who has but 1 decent wideout.

Well rekamyenoM, your vision of a Pats v. Colts AFC championship game kinda de-railed . Guess we'll have to look for something else to wager on. Now if you are still a non-believer in the fact that the Colts are superbowl bound, then let me know and I'll gladly give you any opponent that remains in their way. In fact, I'll take all side wagers on whomever wants the Colts opponents the next two weeks..................and the superbowl !

     Like Ravens here big time. In recent years, Balt has been very competitive in the playoffs. Kudos here to Manning, whom this year, has carried this LESS than stellar team on his back. Very generous getting 6.5 pts here. In the previous two seasons, there has been a very noticeable decline on the Colts defensive play. This is just the kind of team that is content to gut out a "clutch" win and leave the cover on the table here. A back door cover is a strong possibility here, with a Raven SU victory entirely not out of the question here!  RAVENS

I think the Ravens have enough to keep this game within 6 points. So I'll bet on the Ravens to cover +6.5 ..... 

 The key to this game is for the Ravens on defense to keep pressure on Manning, while disguising the coverage packages. When Peyton is hurried he can't hit his primary receivers. Solid linebacker play by the Ravens to break up "hot" read situations will go a long way towards 3 and outs! The puny efforts at a running game will be contained by the front 4. On offense, do not engage Manning in a slug fest- you'll lose. Flacco needs to limit his throwing efforts as he is still to prone to careless INTs. Most likely scenario is a constant pounding of the rock,chew up clock, move the chains. See Indy having trouble containing the run. See many tackles being made by the linebackers and secondary. The Colts are very suspect of being burned by the big strike downfield off of play action. So the key here is to limit Peyton's exposure on the field, and wear down the Colts defense.

I greatly appreciate your analysis, but I believe that you may be underestimating just how bad Flacco is playing (either b/c of his hip injury or otherwise).  The man completed 4 passes against a bad NE secondary, and was Baltimore was lucky that they got great field position due to poor turnovers.  I believe that Indy's D will put 8 in the box and seriously stifle Baltimore's running game.  In addition, Peyton is so good at reading Baltimore's schemes that he will put up 28 points at the very least.  That means Baltimore needs three TDs and a FG to cover, and I don't think they have that much in the offensive tank.

GL

Defense is the name of the game.. I like balt and the points here...

Hard to go against Manning but I like Baltimore getting the points....Manning will win, but I dont think he covers.

Manning loves to win close games...

Nine wins this year were by one score or less (8 points)

And if you look at the meeting earlier this year... ANY of Baltimore's drives ending up in a TD instead of 5 FG makes this a whole different game.

I HIGHLY doubt Flacco and Rice and McGahee and Co. will be held without a touchdown again.

I HIGHLY doubt the Colts will rely on their defense to shut down Baltimore.

I see it HIGHLY likely that Baltimore's Defense will play just as strong as it did against the Pats.
I see it HIGHLY likely that Todd Heap's status will have a difference in this game... they need that possesion receiving threat out there.

The bottom line is this... Baltimore cannot let Indy get ahead... we all know how effective the IND pass rush is when their opponents are forced to throw the ball (3rd and long and playing from behind).

I like the Colts to win a close one.... so

early lean
BAL +6.5
Probably the under... similar to their first game.

BOL

Peyton Manning

Manning will blow the Ravens out like a fat guy with Diahrrea!

Colts -6.5

Colts run defense is not that strong and will have their hands full with Ray Rice.  With the game being indoors and weather not being a factor, Flacco will throw the ball a lot more but the Ravens will still try to control the clock and keep Manning off the field primarily with their running game.  Ravens defense is stepping up big time.  I think the Colts timing will be a little off due to the bye week and "resting" in weeks 16 & 17.  Go with the Ravens to cover the 6.5 spread with a chance of winning straight up!

bahahaha ravens had the luckiest game anyone could have against the sorry pats... everyone knew the pats are not made for the play offs this year.... if manning played the last two games, they would have been unbeaten. Manning will kill it

colts 34- 20

leaning colts, there run d scares me but i figure that they will load the box and make flacco beat him.  

colts -6

ravens doesn't stand a chance ............................unless they prove me other wise........

just because they beat patroits who was without walker doesnt mean do stand a chance against colts....Dallas clark  an wayne is going to have big gamme....rice gonna get shut down........enough said..

go colts.....and Under

I think Baltimore can control this game with their running attack. Baltimore has the advantage in the running game having 3 soild backs to alternate from. The Ravens defense has been very soild for a number of years now and has kept the team in the games as usual.

Still thinking....

Ravens will defeat the Colts! With Ravens on a high from last week, they'll keep the momentum going here. Peyton has been here before and I'm sure he's ready, but can Coach Caldwell develop a winning playoff scheme in his first year? Doubt it. I see a choke here.

RAVENS +6.5

colts win

score: 20 - 21