Indianapolis vs Baltimore Betting?
Headline: Storyline Central – Colts Take on Ravens in Wild Card Weekend
The Indianapolis Colts continue their improbable season on Sunday when they head to Baltimore to take on a Ravens team that will in all likelihood be playing their last game with their emotional, spiritual and uber-talented leader – Ray Lewis who has hinted at retirement after this season. But the storylines don’s top there. How’s this for an incestual relationship between the two teams?
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Date/Time: Sunday, January 6, 1:00 PM ET
Venue: M & T Bank Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Colts vs. Ravens Betting Lines from Sportsbook.ag
Spread: Ravens -6 1/2 (-110)
Moneyline: Colts +240: Ravens -285
Over/Under: 46 points
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
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Indy’s former coach Jim Caldwell is now the Baltimore Offensive Coordinator and Indy’s current Head Coach Chuck Pagano used to be Baltimore’s Defensive Coordinator. It should be an intriguing, emotion packed game with the Colts riding the Chuckstrong wagon and the Ravens playing for their soon-to-be-departing leader.
The Indianapolis Colts come into Sunday’s game on quite a high – the return from Cancer treatment by their coach in Week 17 helped them defeat the Houston Texans for their fifth win in six games. Led by Super-rookie Andrew Luck, the Colts have proven to be a tough out for any team down the stretch – just ask the Texans.
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The Colts are light years ahead of where anyone could have predicted before the season started. From a two-win team to a playoff contender is absolutely amazing. And they can thank one guy, Andrew Luck who was seventh in the NFL in passing this season with 4374 yards and 23 touchdowns. Luck was incredible but showed at times that he is still a rookie. He was sacked 41 times, he threw 18 interceptions and he was responsible for 17 turnovers in eight road games this season. Still, with the league’s 7th best passing game, Indianapolis has a chance to shine against a Baltimore defense that showed signs of slowing down this season thanks to injury and age.
The Colts will likely have to rely on the arm of Luck this weekend – the running game was far-from stellar during the 2012 campaign. This unit ended up 22nd in the NFL with an average of 104.44 yards per game although Vick Ballard showed glimpses of brilliance.
Another sore spot for the Colts was the defense this season. They ended up 21st against the pass and 29th versus the run. Indianapolis gave up an average of 24.19 points per game this season – 21st in the NFL. Now the Colts are faced with the task of slowing Ray Rice after giving up 96+ yards to opposing running backs in four of their last six games.
The Baltimore Ravens started the season 9-2 and although they looked vulnerable at times there was little doubt about this team’s place as one of the elite of the AFC. But Baltimore went 1-4 down the stretch to take a little luster off the team.
The Ravens rested some starter and lost 23-17 in Week 17 but in Week 16 they absolutely dismantled the Giants in what was their best all around game of the season. If the Ravens can emulate their Week 16 performance they should have their way, on home field, with the Colts – but that is a BIG IF. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Baltimore was somewhat inconsistent offensively this season. At times they seemed to lose their identity – too much reliance on Joe Flacco and not enough Ray Rice. The Ravens ended the season with the 15th ranked pass game and the 11th best rushing attack – middle of the road in most statistical categories. As mentioned Week 16 was their best offensive performance of the season – they will need more of the same against the Colts Sunday.
The Ravens once-feared defense took a step back this season – injuries to Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis had a lot to do with it. But it is rumoured that Sunday could mark Ray Lewis’s last game – you can bet that this unit will bring its best for their retiring leader. Baltimore ended up 17th against the pass this season and 20th versus the run – uncharacteristic indeed for this Baltimore squad.
Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Indianapolis is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indianapolis’s last 9 games when playing Baltimore
• Indianapolis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
• Indianapolis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
• Baltimore is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 9 games when playing Indianapolis
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing at home against Indianapolis
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games at home
So you want some emotion? Sunday’s game should be full of it! That said, I have to side with momentum in this game – the Colts have won nine of 11 games heading into the playoffs while the Ravens have lost four of five. I realize that the playoffs is a “new season” but I also know how hard it is to simply flip a switch and shed what had been a rather ugly stretch run for Baltimore. I think the kid gets it done this week and sends Ray Lewis off into the sunset void of the championship he so badly desires.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts +6 1/2
