Colts Looking For Consistency against Offensively Challenged Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U), and the Indianapolis Colts (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, 2-2 O/U), will both look to get on the plus-side of the win column when Indy hosts Baltimore on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Currently listed as 4½-point favorites, the Colts are coming off a shocking 31-27 win over the Houston Texans in a contest they likely shouldn’t have won, scoring three times in the final 4:04 of the game as Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfelds had one of the biggest late-game meltdowns in recent memory.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning completed 25 of 34 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while Reggie Wayne caught seven passes for 97 yards with one touchdown.
After winning their first two games of the season, the Ravens have dropped two straight including Sunday’s close 13-10 loss to the undefeated Tennessee Titans as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco struggling immensely, completing 18 of 27 passes for just 153 yards, including two passes to players in the wrong uniform.
The Ravens saw starting running back Willis McGahee held to just 64 yards on 22 carries but backup, Le’Ron McClain rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries with one touchdown.
Baltimore is struggling in a big way on offense this season, averaging just 289.8 yards per contest, (24th) and just 18.8 points per game, (27th), though the team is fourth in rushing, averaging 153.8 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, the Ravens are ranked first across the board in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards allowed and third in point s allowed, (14.0).
Indianapolis has yet to find their collective stride on offense, ranking just 16th in total offense, averaging just 313.2 total yards per game and 20.8 points per contest, 19th overall.
As much as the Colts are struggling on offense, they are failing even more on defense, ranking 25th in overall yardage allowed per game, (353.0) and haven’t been able to stop the run at all, ranking dead-last in rush defense, allowing a whopping 188.8 yards per game on the ground while allowing 23.5 points per game, (18th).
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my analysis and NFL Wagering Free Picks:
Ravens
Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games
Baltimore is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 11 games
Baltimore is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games on the road
Baltimore is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indianapolis
Colts
Indianapolis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Indianapolis is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Indianapolis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Indianapolis is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Indianapolis is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games at home
Indianapolis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indianapolis’s last 6 games at home
Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
NFL Odds
Baltimore Ravens +4½ -110
Indianapolis Colts -4½ -110
Over 39 -110
Under 39 -110
Analysis: I know the Colts can’t stop the run and have struggled offensively this season – and the Ravens have moved the ball on the ground consistently and own the game’s best defense – I like the Colts to cover the small spread simply because of Baltimore inability to put the ball in the end zone.
Basically, if you give Peyton Manning enough chances, he’ll make you pay!
Take the Colts to win and cover while finally getting on the plus-side in the win column.
