Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Pre-game Thread Ravens vs. Colts (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pizzatyme
- Start date
IDrinkyourMilkshake
Footballguy
I think the big key is whether the Ravens can bring the pass rush.
Man In The Box
Footballguy
Early line I have is 6.5. I think the Colts win by 10.
pizzatyme
Footballguy
The Ravens were in the game at home. Being on the road in Indy is much different! I'm not sure a lot can be taken away from the win against the Pats other than some confidence. It appeared to me that Moss took the day off (again). That won't happen this week. I expect the Colts to have Garcon back giving them all 4 weapons in the passing game.
The key for the Ravens to me is to keep it close. I think they get behind 10, it's over. Asking Flacco to come back against a healthy pass rush and DBs is too much to me.
The key for the Ravens to me is to keep it close. I think they get behind 10, it's over. Asking Flacco to come back against a healthy pass rush and DBs is too much to me.
Routilla
Footballguy
Colts were like 25th against the run this year, weren't they?
pizzatyme
Footballguy
How was their scoring Defense?
Routilla
Footballguy
That's an entirely different metric. Looks like 307 points allowed for the Colts and 261 points allowed for the Ravens. This is according to a stats check from my FF league at CBS so it may not be exact. I don't know if they are counting today's game.Rushing allowed was 1492 for the Ravens and 2024 for the Colts. Passing allowed was 3316 for the Ravens and 3403 for the Colts.
Last edited by a moderator:
What worries me about this game, is the first 8:00. If the Colts can "warm up" quickly after basically being off for a month, the game won't ever really be in doubt. If they come out as slow as I expect, then the Ravens will get up by 10-14. At that point, I'm just hoping the Colts will trust in the gameplan and know that over the course of 45:00 they will end up ahead. If the spread is -8, I'd take the Ravens to cover. I just don't think the Colts will really be able to play up to speed until mid 2nd quarter.
djcolts
Footballguy
I'm not as worried about rust. The Colts came out fast in 2007 after time off - until Marvin fumbled the momentum away. As horrid as it was for public relations (and it was horrid), the Colts did get nearly a game's worth of 1st team offense the last two games. Much more than in 2005.I hope they can attack the Ravens with 3 WR sets, but I'm not sure if that will be the case or not (they used 2 TE sets mostly in the first game). I don't want to see Gijon Robinson catching 4 yard passes.
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Oh, another big Colt-Raven match up, at least for Baltimore fans meaning another big game where I need to watch on isolation as to not root for the wrong team at some point in the game. As someone that woke up to the Mayflower moving vans I know I'm required to hate the Indy franchise, but the emotional tug of the perfect blue an white uniforms is just too much sometimes.
As far as the game itself it just seems that Peyton Manning is just a tiny bit ahead of Ray Lewis in the at the line play calling gamesmanship every time they play. It also seems that the Ravens bring out the best in the Colts defense. And the Ravens have also seemed to historically get too up for the Colts, at least in the Billick era.
Well, as any good Baltimore fan knows, if there is a God the Ravens will win this!
As far as the game itself it just seems that Peyton Manning is just a tiny bit ahead of Ray Lewis in the at the line play calling gamesmanship every time they play. It also seems that the Ravens bring out the best in the Colts defense. And the Ravens have also seemed to historically get too up for the Colts, at least in the Billick era.
Well, as any good Baltimore fan knows, if there is a God the Ravens will win this!
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
The run D is what will ultimately kill the Colts in this game. This is the number one strength for the Ravens and they proved this week that they're not afraid to simply run it down a team's throat. I think the Ravens defense will play with a lot of emotion and force a few turnovers. I'll take the Ravens.switz said:
Portis 26
Madden Freak
The fact that the Colts got just roasted by the media and their fans for their lame and dispiriting surrender in the final two games of the season has to have had an effect. I'm not talking about a little rust, I'm talking about the collective will of the team getting sapped.
It can happen. Look what happened to the Pats after Belichick's failed 4th down call vs the Colts. They were limp for weeks after that and arguably never really recovered. Wouldn't be surprised if something similar occured here. I know Manning's the ultimate pro, but he's only one guy.
It can happen. Look what happened to the Pats after Belichick's failed 4th down call vs the Colts. They were limp for weeks after that and arguably never really recovered. Wouldn't be surprised if something similar occured here. I know Manning's the ultimate pro, but he's only one guy.
djcolts
Footballguy
Or they could be mad as hell and wanting to show everyone up. We won't know until 8:15 on Saturday.
Portis 26
Madden Freak
But for them to be mad as hell they would have to think that some sort of injustice had been perpetrated against them. But I wouldn't mind betting 95% of the Colts players actually agree with the criticism of Polian and the team's management. I think they wanted to go for 16-0. They're more likely to be listless and dispirited rather than mad as hell.
djcolts
Footballguy
I would think as a Colts player I'd be more likely to be teed off at management than listless because of management. I would be.
switz
Footballguy
Until you listened to some of them after those games, they were mad, not listless. I challenge any team to match Manning's will this year. Manning has seemed to will the entire offense at times. And Mathis and Freeney are playing extremely well.
I highly doubt the Colts will come out like the Pats did. Even IF Ray Rice breaks a long one on his first carry, the Colts won't give up, and the Ravens simpl can't keep up with the Colts offense.
Baltimore jumped all over the patriots it very well replay its self this weekend.Colts Defense has to play good football to win this one.
The_Man
Footballguy
In their regular season game, Colts hit a 66-yard TD pass on their first possession vs. the Ravens. Hard to come out much faster than that. Then they scored 10 points the rest of the game.The Ravens had 9 possessions vs. the Colts -- punted twice, made 5 FGs, missed a 30-yard FG, and then Flacco threw the game losing INT in FG range late in the 4th quarter. I see this game as being very tight, with the team that makes the most of its red zone chances coming out on top. Would be surprised to see either team get 10-14 points ahead at any point.Baltimore jumped all over the patriots it very well replay its self this weekend.Colts Defense has to play good football to win this one.
Last edited by a moderator:
money.never.sleeps
Footballguy
Surprised at all of the comments discounting Baltimore. The Colts havent played 4 Quarters in what.. almost 3 weeks? Im not sold on the Colts being able to stop the run. Flacco had a suspect game last week but I believe he'll rebound if the Ravens can run the ball. Pass rush on both sides along with who can force a TO or 2 will determine this one.
Call me crazy or a homer.. but i'll take Baltimore 24-20
Call me crazy or a homer.. but i'll take Baltimore 24-20
SierraKiloBravo
Footballguy
The Colts haven't played 4 quarters in 3 weeks because they haven't needed to. They won't need to in this one either.IND 35 BAL 17.
BRONG
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
I like the matchup for Baltimore but I don't like the way they have to come in. Not the way they're playing, their schedule. 4th road game in a row. They had to go to Pitt which was brutal; then all the way to Oakland, and that wasn't exactly easy; then at New England (it's still the road); and now on the road again and only 6 days later...against a fresh Indy team. That has to effect them, especially this time of year, I don't care how pumped they are.
So even though I like the matchup for Baltimore on paper, and I have thought all along this was a dangerous/underrated Ravens team this year, I'm taking Indy. I'm also discounting the Patriots win a bit; they were overrated. I think Manning will go off, and if they get up a couple of TDs, it's over.
So even though I like the matchup for Baltimore on paper, and I have thought all along this was a dangerous/underrated Ravens team this year, I'm taking Indy. I'm also discounting the Patriots win a bit; they were overrated. I think Manning will go off, and if they get up a couple of TDs, it's over.
MarshallPlan
Footballguy
If Dominique Foxworth is your #1 corner, your going to have some trouble with the Colts. The same Foxworth that was picked on when he was with Denver years ago against Peyton Manning. I don't think this game is all that close.
Power Monster
The Midnight Stalker
Two factors dictating the ebb and flow in this game-
The Colt D's ability to slow or stop the Raven running attack.
The ability for Flacco to play well if forced to keep up with Manning if the Ravens fall behind.
Manning is going to take what the defense gives him and if that means going underneath all day he will do just that. The Raven defense is going to have to get to him and rattle his cage or Flacco will have to try to keep up and that is not going to bode well for the Ravens.
The Colt D's ability to slow or stop the Raven running attack.
The ability for Flacco to play well if forced to keep up with Manning if the Ravens fall behind.
Manning is going to take what the defense gives him and if that means going underneath all day he will do just that. The Raven defense is going to have to get to him and rattle his cage or Flacco will have to try to keep up and that is not going to bode well for the Ravens.
r0llin_game
Footballguy
http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/Tickets/Vie...0_level/535.jpg
Flying up from Miami for the game. Those will be my seats!
Flying up from Miami for the game. Those will be my seats!
roadkill1292
Footballguy
The strangest thing about previous Colts-Ravens matchups has been how well the Indy defense has typically played. With Peyton milking the clock extensively, even a "short" Colts possession, at least in terms of plays, gives his defense plenty of rest and they enter each Baltimore possession fresh and fast. Their speed has always given the Ravens offensive line, which is pretty good, terrible problems.
Of course, Brady and the Pats have always done much the same against them and they negated that last week with the fast start and pounding run game. But Peyton always seems a half step better than Ray Lewis and company and I don't expect this one to be any different from the past contests. I think it's pretty obvious that the Ravens won't win a shootout with a banged up Joe Flacco under center.
Of course, Brady and the Pats have always done much the same against them and they negated that last week with the fast start and pounding run game. But Peyton always seems a half step better than Ray Lewis and company and I don't expect this one to be any different from the past contests. I think it's pretty obvious that the Ravens won't win a shootout with a banged up Joe Flacco under center.
The_Man
Footballguy
I watched the NFL Replay of their Nov. 22 game, and here are my impressions.
A lot went right for the Ravens in this game, but they still lost. Freeney and Mathis did absolutely nothing. The Ravens had a +3 turnover differential until Flacco's pick on the final drive and were still down by a couple of points. That will be hard to duplicate. Ladarias Webb lined up on Dallas Clark all day and completely shut him down. His one catch, the TD, was one of the few times all game Webb wasn't covering him. Now, the Ravens don't have Webb.
But there's room for improvement too. Also, after Ray hit Manning on the first drive of the game, the pass rush never sniffed him again all day. The blitz was particularly ineffective, as it never got close to him and left fewer guys in pass coverage. Ed Reed got fooled on a pump fake that allowed Manning to complete a 66-yard pass over his head. It was the only time the Ravens got beat deep all day.
Also, I think this must have been the game that got RG Chris Chester benched in favor of Marshall Yanda. He got blown up several times. The Ravens never once went with 6 O linemen, or the unbalanced line and still ran the ball pretty effectively. It will be very interesting to see how the Colts handle the revitalized running game.
One note about Webb on Clark. For almost the entire game, the Ravens played a straight 4-3 nickel package, with Webb as the nickel back playing man-to-man on Clark. It totally took him out of the game. However, the four-man line was very, very bad at generating pass rush, and not much better in stopping the run. In particular, Trevor Pryce had a very bad game setting the edge vs. the run at DE. The Ravens made the decision to sacrifice some of their run D in order to take Clark away. Suggs did not play that game and I think he could make a big difference vs. both the run and pass if they go with a similar approach.
Also, ILB Tavares Gooden was bad and got benched for the rookie Dannell Ellerbee, who also didn't play that well, continually biting on play action and getting burned in coverage. He's come a long way since then.
One really interesting thing is that the Ravens did very little pre-snap moving around. The chess match wasn't played out at the line of scrimmage, it was played out on the sidelines between possessions. Indy hits a deep ball, so the Ravens take it away. The Ravens take away Clark, so Manning goes to backup TE Santi up and down the field. The Ravens start to cover him, and the Colts get the running game rolling. It was a very entertaining, closely played game.
A lot went right for the Ravens in this game, but they still lost. Freeney and Mathis did absolutely nothing. The Ravens had a +3 turnover differential until Flacco's pick on the final drive and were still down by a couple of points. That will be hard to duplicate. Ladarias Webb lined up on Dallas Clark all day and completely shut him down. His one catch, the TD, was one of the few times all game Webb wasn't covering him. Now, the Ravens don't have Webb.
But there's room for improvement too. Also, after Ray hit Manning on the first drive of the game, the pass rush never sniffed him again all day. The blitz was particularly ineffective, as it never got close to him and left fewer guys in pass coverage. Ed Reed got fooled on a pump fake that allowed Manning to complete a 66-yard pass over his head. It was the only time the Ravens got beat deep all day.
Also, I think this must have been the game that got RG Chris Chester benched in favor of Marshall Yanda. He got blown up several times. The Ravens never once went with 6 O linemen, or the unbalanced line and still ran the ball pretty effectively. It will be very interesting to see how the Colts handle the revitalized running game.
One note about Webb on Clark. For almost the entire game, the Ravens played a straight 4-3 nickel package, with Webb as the nickel back playing man-to-man on Clark. It totally took him out of the game. However, the four-man line was very, very bad at generating pass rush, and not much better in stopping the run. In particular, Trevor Pryce had a very bad game setting the edge vs. the run at DE. The Ravens made the decision to sacrifice some of their run D in order to take Clark away. Suggs did not play that game and I think he could make a big difference vs. both the run and pass if they go with a similar approach.
Also, ILB Tavares Gooden was bad and got benched for the rookie Dannell Ellerbee, who also didn't play that well, continually biting on play action and getting burned in coverage. He's come a long way since then.
One really interesting thing is that the Ravens did very little pre-snap moving around. The chess match wasn't played out at the line of scrimmage, it was played out on the sidelines between possessions. Indy hits a deep ball, so the Ravens take it away. The Ravens take away Clark, so Manning goes to backup TE Santi up and down the field. The Ravens start to cover him, and the Colts get the running game rolling. It was a very entertaining, closely played game.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
As usual, a good analysis. I would add, to something you hit on several times, that the secondary is playing considerably better over the last five or six games. Some good coverage, resulting in some three and outs, would be a huge factor in this game.
Ravens were 'in the game' missing half their defensive core.I bet the ranch last time and got my ranch back (doh!).But when was the last time manning saw pressure like Brady did last weekend?1998?Colts O romps!
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
All good points, TM. The two bolded comments in particular should give Ravens fans a little hope. That 6 O-Linemen look, while I didn't like it at first, gives opposing defenses fits - not because it's tricky, but because it's 2,000 lbs of angry beef trying to run the D over.The_Man said:
And Suggs may be the biggest difference of all. Everyone knows he's an elite pass rusher when healthy but he's also a very underrated run defender - he's very good at either funneling the runner back into Gregg & Ngata or he runs down the RBs who try to go wide.
The Ravens have got to find a way to hit Peyton without having to sell out to do it. They won't rattle him like they did Brady (I know Tommy Boy was hurt but he was also jumping at shadows out there) - Peyton doesn't rattle - but to throw his timing off & let some of the Ravens playmakers have a chance at creating turnovers.
Flacco's hurt worse than the Ravens are letting on. That hip/quad thing he's got severe limits him. Word out of practice yesterday is that he's wincing even on handoffs. It was obvious Sunday that he was having issues planting to throw - even his completions (all 4) were adventures. I'm not sure how Baltimore overcomes this other than to run the ball 52 times again.
And lastly, the coaching staff has to be on the ball. They can't afford any errors like the missed replay opportunity on the muffed punt. And they can't panic. Down 14-3 in the 2nd quarter? Keep running and wear that Colts D down with that big O-line.
The_Man
Footballguy
Marshal Yanda re-entered the starting lineup at Right Guard for the Ravens' OT win vs. the Steelers. In the 7 games with him starting at RG, through the playoff win at New England, the Ravens have run the ball 246 times for 1279 yards. Over those 7 games, that's 5.2 yards per carry, and averages out to 35 carries and 182.7 yards per game. If you project those stats over 16 games, you get 2923 yards rushing. I can't find a list of the top 10 team rushing seasons ever, but I did find the 1978 KC Chiefs were the #3 all-time rushing team with 2986 yards, so 2923 yards must be in the ballpark of the all-time top 10.
The Ravens played 3 of those 7 games vs teams that finished the season ranked 2, 5, and 5 in yards per carry and 1, 3, and 3 in yards per game (GB and Pitt twice). Here are their other opponents' ranks in ypc (18, 20, 21, 27) and yards per game (13, 23, 25 and 29). For the record, the Colts rank #16 in ypc (4.3) and 24 in yards per game (126.5).
I have been tremendously impressed recently with Yanda and LG Ben Grubbs. They are both powerful enough to be very effective straight-ahead blockers, but have been absolutely devastating as pulling guards. McGahee's 77-yard run vs. Oakland was up the gut to the right following a Grubbs pull, while Rice's run was also between the tackles, but came to the left behind a pulling Yanda. Right now, there's absolutely no run that Cameron can't dial up.
The Ravens played 3 of those 7 games vs teams that finished the season ranked 2, 5, and 5 in yards per carry and 1, 3, and 3 in yards per game (GB and Pitt twice). Here are their other opponents' ranks in ypc (18, 20, 21, 27) and yards per game (13, 23, 25 and 29). For the record, the Colts rank #16 in ypc (4.3) and 24 in yards per game (126.5).
I have been tremendously impressed recently with Yanda and LG Ben Grubbs. They are both powerful enough to be very effective straight-ahead blockers, but have been absolutely devastating as pulling guards. McGahee's 77-yard run vs. Oakland was up the gut to the right following a Grubbs pull, while Rice's run was also between the tackles, but came to the left behind a pulling Yanda. Right now, there's absolutely no run that Cameron can't dial up.
IDrinkyourMilkshake
Footballguy
Anyone know if Jim Nantz and Phil Simms are calling this game?
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I thought I saw Dierdorf quoted on his take, which I assumed meant he was calling it (w/Enberg?).
djcolts
Footballguy
It is Gumbel and Dierdorf. Simms/Nantz hasn't done a Colts game all season.
IDrinkyourMilkshake
Footballguy
Oh god Dierdorf goes completely overboard with his love for Manning.
djcolts
Footballguy
Yeah - he does do that.
The_Man
Footballguy
The "this year's Baltimore team is just like the 2005 Steelers" storyline is picking up steam in Baltimore.
04 Steelers: reach AFCC behind rookie QB
08 Ravens: reach AFCC behind rookie QB
05 Steelers: with run-based offense, overcome early struggles to get #6 seed
09 Ravens: with run-based offense, overcome early struggles to get #6 seed
05 Steelers: win road Wild Card game to set up trip to top-seeded Colts team that won first 13 games, then eased into the playoffs
09 Ravens: win road Wild Card game to set up trip to top-seeded Colts team that won first 14 games, then eased into the playoffs
The next chapter will be if the Ravens knock off the Colts then go on the road to beat the AFC West champion in the AFCC, like the Steelers did. Not sure what the rallying cry is, though. Get Ray Lewis back to Miami? Or Ed Reed? Or Willis McGahee?
04 Steelers: reach AFCC behind rookie QB
08 Ravens: reach AFCC behind rookie QB
05 Steelers: with run-based offense, overcome early struggles to get #6 seed
09 Ravens: with run-based offense, overcome early struggles to get #6 seed
05 Steelers: win road Wild Card game to set up trip to top-seeded Colts team that won first 13 games, then eased into the playoffs
09 Ravens: win road Wild Card game to set up trip to top-seeded Colts team that won first 14 games, then eased into the playoffs
The next chapter will be if the Ravens knock off the Colts then go on the road to beat the AFC West champion in the AFCC, like the Steelers did. Not sure what the rallying cry is, though. Get Ray Lewis back to Miami? Or Ed Reed? Or Willis McGahee?
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Flacco has been hurt for months.
The Man with the Plan
Footballguy
Has a 9-win team ever defeated a 14-win team in the playoffs?
ScottyFargo
Footballguy
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/sto...mp;sportCat=nfl
I love feel-good stories like this. Go Ravens.
I love feel-good stories like this. Go Ravens.
Team Smokin'
Footballguy
Here's another game I keep flip flopping on
My first thoughts are IND is too good and so is Manning and Co.
However, I think the choice to sit players sizzled their momentum. Rod Woodson feels the same way.
I'm not sure, but I smell something funny here.
My first thoughts are IND is too good and so is Manning and Co.
However, I think the choice to sit players sizzled their momentum. Rod Woodson feels the same way.
I'm not sure, but I smell something funny here.
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
I'm surprised at how little pre-game discussion this contest is getting.
Sure MIN-DAL and AZ-NO are looking like high-scoring contests, and Chase and the SD contingent on the board is driving that game.
For me, this could be the best game of the weekend.
I see this as a 3-4 point game and it could go either way. Can Indy flip the switch back on? What about the lack of experience at HC and WR for Indy? Baltimore is hot right now, and if Ray Lewis and Ed Reed get the other 9 guys up for this one then it can be a great game. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee are going to run (and screen) their way to well over 100 yards combined and make this a very interesting contest.
20-17 and I struggle calling it either way. Odds say Indy 20-17, but the Ravens could certainly pull it out.
Sure MIN-DAL and AZ-NO are looking like high-scoring contests, and Chase and the SD contingent on the board is driving that game.
For me, this could be the best game of the weekend.
I see this as a 3-4 point game and it could go either way. Can Indy flip the switch back on? What about the lack of experience at HC and WR for Indy? Baltimore is hot right now, and if Ray Lewis and Ed Reed get the other 9 guys up for this one then it can be a great game. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee are going to run (and screen) their way to well over 100 yards combined and make this a very interesting contest.
20-17 and I struggle calling it either way. Odds say Indy 20-17, but the Ravens could certainly pull it out.
Team Smokin'
Footballguy
C'mon Jeff call it one way or the other. What do you think?
Ray Rice probably over 100 solo and I think this is the key to the game. The Ravens need to run the ball and sustain drives. I also think that there will be a huge play by the Ravens defense. Ravens win a shocker.
Last edited by a moderator:
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
I did pick this game and the rest of them in For The Win this week.....I chose Indy 20, Baltimore 17 this week, but I'll be with many Ravens fans tonight and I've a Flacco and Ray Rice fan, so I'll be pulling for Purple.
