Next up: Indianapolis

[Runnin Raven]

Man, do we miss a healthy Webby.  Especially for this one.

[dirtybird10]

Colts are going to be a tough match up. I certainly think we can beat them, but our Secondary simply cannot play the way the have been if we are going to have any shot. They have to stay disciplined and they HAVE TO TACKLE. Guys need to wrap up their man, instead of allowing a 1-5 yard pass to turn into a 10-20 yard gain. Far too many times this year guys in the secondary have been out of position and far too much poor tackling. I hope we don't play as much zone as we have been.

[Cillmatic]

Most experts are expecting an offensive shootout, but let's not forget the Colts (2-2) have played against four defenses that are in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per game, including Denver (No. 27), Philadelphia (No. 28) and Jacksonville (No. 32)

[BmoreBird22]

Most experts are expecting an offensive shootout, but let's not forget the Colts (2-2) have played against four defenses that are in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per game, including Denver (No. 27), Philadelphia (No. 28) and Jacksonville (No. 32)

Saw that in the LFW article, but I don't think it changes the fact that Luck is more than capable of playing well against any secondary or defense

[beasy2487]

Most experts are expecting an offensive shootout, but let's not forget the Colts (2-2) have played against four defenses that are in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per game, including Denver (No. 27), Philadelphia (No. 28) and Jacksonville (No. 32)

 

Most experts also predicted a low scoring, defensive struggle with the Panthers coming out on top last week ;-).

[K-Dog]

Make no bones about it. Indy WILL score. They WILL move down the field.

Limiting them to field goals is step one for us. Which I am confident we can do.

Step two. Score more.

I am also confident we can do this.

Ravens by three.

[rmcjacket23]

Most experts also predicted a low scoring, defensive struggle with the Panthers coming out on top last week ;-).

Just to clarify any misconceptions...

 

On this websites weekly prediction section, they sampled 36 writers for last weeks game. 35 of them picked Baltimore to win.

 

Baltimore was a unanimous choice from both NBC PFF and ESPN.

[jaege]

Make no bones about it. Indy WILL score. They WILL move down the field.

Limiting them to field goals is step one for us. Which I am confident we can do.

Step two. Score more.

I am also confident we can do this.

Ravens by three.

 

 

I was going to say the same thing. They WILL score. The key is to make sure they do not score often. And try to force them to play in the red zone. We have done pretty well there.

[jaege]

Just to clarify any misconceptions...

 

On this websites weekly prediction section, they sampled 36 writers for last weeks game. 35 of them picked Baltimore to win.

 

Baltimore was a unanimous choice from both NBC PFF and ESPN.

 

 

Really? Wow? That doesn't happen often. And how about this week?

[beasy2487]

Just to clarify any misconceptions...

 

On this websites weekly prediction section, they sampled 36 writers for last weeks game. 35 of them picked Baltimore to win.

 

Baltimore was a unanimous choice from both NBC PFF and ESPN.

 

That's a fair point, but I believe that the majority of the gameday analysts picked the Panthers. Either way, I think we have more insight into what to expect than the pros do just because nobody really knows anything about the Ravens lol.

[rmcjacket23]

Really? Wow? That doesn't happen often. And how about this week?

11 of 35 picked the Ravens this week.

 

And despite what a lot of fans seem to think, we get picked to win quite often.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

Go get 'em Raven's. This is a big test for the "D". We can do this!

[Warhorse]

Should be a good game. Haven't been on since the last time we played. Both teams dealing with injuries, both are resilient. I feel good about being at home, would not feel as good in your house. Best thing for your team is to get up big and put pressure on Luck. Even then, he can come back on any team. Will be watching this one with excitement and alacrity. 

 

Certainly hope your team downplays the Colts D as much as fans do here....but I doubt it. I see the scores between 20 and 32.

[jaege]

11 of 35 picked the Ravens this week.

 

And despite what a lot of fans seem to think, we get picked to win quite often.

 

I agree we do, but sometimes it does seem like a lot of the talking heads just take the easy, popular guess, or one that is obviously based upon favoritism. Not all. Many are fair, making a choice based upon reasonable arguments. Some not so much.

[pitchblack_20]

Just wanna say, keep up the good work Callahan09. As always, your posts are very informative. I don't want to quote one though because they're so big.

Who you guys think we'll match up against Hilton, and how should they fare? I haven't been following him this season but the last two years I was, and he's had a pretty impressive career so far. Threat to score whenever the balls in his hands. Don't wanna sound scared but I'm definitely concerned about this matchup, specifically. Don't wanna see him catching it in space and on the move or 5 yards past our DB's, 40 yards downfield.

Vontae Davis vs Steve Smith Sr will be fun to watch. It will be a battle.

Besides those, I'm actually confident in every other single matchup. Gonna be an exciting game

I think Asa may match up well with TY. I may be wrong but I think he has the quickness to keep up with him on the shorter routes, and I love that he's small but he plays physical, but we really can't afford a lot of miscommunication in the secondary, because it's hard to keep up with Hilton over the top.

[hawkprey]

A few numbers:

 

The Ravens' offense is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in plays per drive, yards per drive, and points per drive.

 

The Ravens' defense is T-2nd in points allowed (per game) and are giving up 3.3 yards per rush (against some good rushing teams).

 

Combining the two, offense minus defense, the Ravens have the best yards-per-drive differential, 1st down differential and 2nd best scoring differential (after losing to the team with the 1st best).

[Cillmatic]

So....... Is Webb playing? It would really help us if he does.

[K-Dog]

So....... Is Webb playing? It would really help us if he does.

Only if its the Webb of old....

[hn68wb4]

how much will Pierce play as well, we have a good thing going with LT and Forsett, will he just take LTs carries

[bmore187]

Ravens 29 Colts 28.....Tucker boots a 54yd with no time remaining!!!!

[jaege]

Saw that in the LFW article, but I don't think it changes the fact that Luck is more than capable of playing well against any secondary or defense

 

Is he? Because he put up a lot of points against less than stellar defenses? Maybe he is as good as the (supposed) experts say, or maybe the defenses he faced were just that bad. As a lot of the fans of both teams have been saying, this next game will show us a lot about the teams.

[BmoreBird22]

Is he? Because he put up a lot of points against less than stellar defenses? Maybe he is as good as the (supposed) experts say, or maybe the defenses he faced were just that bad. As a lot of the fans of both teams have been saying, this next game will show us a lot about the teams.

I don't know, let's just look at the playoffs last year

 

Is it that the defenses he played against are bad, or were they just unfortunate enough to play the league's best offense? After how much the Broncos put into their defense and getting healthy, they're not a bad defense. The Eagles aren't a bad defense. I'll give it the Titans and Jags are, but Luck was doing well against quality opponents

[BlueShoe]

Offensively the Colts are a great team, but defensively it's the total opposite.  I think this is a fairly winnable game in spite of the fact that it's in Indy.

 

Not necessarily the opposite on defense. Definitely not as strong though. On defense our major issues are covering tight ends and rushing the passer.

 

Our corners are outstanding. I believe that Davis, Toler, and Butler are a top 3 trio in the league. Our defensive linemen are very good, and we do a good job stopping the run.

 

We are weak at rushing the passer, and losing Mathis really shows. We are also weak covering tight ends. Our inside linebackers are good run stoppers, but have issues in coverage.

 

This should be a good game, and a good measuring stick for both teams.

[Fred Sanford]

I don't see how our defense, with this secondary, stops Luck, Hilton, Wayne, Allen, Fleener, Nicks, Richardson, and Bradshaw with Costonzo and those guys playing pretty well.  I also don't see how their swiss cheese defense stops our guys, who are playing well.  That would suggest a shootout.

 

Seeing as how almost every NFL game goes exactly the opposite of what the matchup on paper suggests, I expect something like a 20-16 Ravens win.  These kinds of close matchups often come down to o-lines and I think ours, and our defense, are just better enough to get the win.  I expect Luck to get a ton of yards but our guys to stiffen up in the red zone, like usual.

[Inqui]

I don't see how our defense, with this secondary, stops Luck, Hilton, Wayne, Allen, Fleener, Nicks, Richardson, and Bradshaw with Costonzo and those guys playing pretty well.  I also don't see how their swiss cheese defense stops our guys, who are playing well.  That would suggest a shootout.

 

Seeing as how almost every NFL game goes exactly the opposite of what the matchup on paper suggests, I expect something like a 20-16 Ravens win.  These kinds of close matchups often come down to o-lines and I think ours, and our defense, are just better enough to get the win.  I expect Luck to get a ton of yards but our guys to stiffen up in the red zone, like usual.

How maddening would that be to watch?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this game came down to whoever had the ball last. We could set a franchise record for the most heart strains or grey hairs caused in one day (pretty sure that bar's already at one hell of a height though).

[HoldingCall]

Is he? Because he put up a lot of points against less than stellar defenses? Maybe he is as good as the (supposed) experts say, or maybe the defenses he faced were just that bad. As a lot of the fans of both teams have been saying, this next game will show us a lot about the teams.

At least, it will show us which team is on for that day.

[GrimCoconut]

I have this feeling that we're going to see more of Matt Elam in the slot CB role. Pees seemed pleased with how he played there, and even I have to admit I was surprised with his play. I think we'll see Jackson and Smith outside with Elam in that slot role if Webb can't go, which is really ambiguous as it is.

If Elam plays slot and actually turns his head, he might get some interceptions in this game against Andrew Luck. Big if, but we'll see.

Kinda excited to see how that would look. Brooks as the single high, Stewart at the LOS with Elam in the slot. My only fear would be if they went 5 WR sets. I actually like Elam going against Hilton more than Allen or Fleener. Might be in the minority there but that's my opinion.

[Ravenslifer]

Not necessarily the opposite on defense. Definitely not as strong though. On defense our major issues are covering tight ends and rushing the passer.

 

Our corners are outstanding. I believe that Davis, Toler, and Butler are a top 3 trio in the league. Our defensive linemen are very good, and we do a good job stopping the run.

 

We are weak at rushing the passer, and losing Mathis really shows. We are also weak covering tight ends. Our inside linebackers are good run stoppers, but have issues in coverage.

 

This should be a good game, and a good measuring stick for both teams.

 

Yeah maybe total opposite was selling it short - on the PPG and YPG average your defense is about middle of the league this early in the season.  But I guess my point was we've already faced Cleveland, Carolina, and Pittsburgh, who are all within 2 points of your average, plus Cinci who isn't giving up anything, and actually so far scored half the points Cincy has allowed this season.  I just have been hearing from a bunch of people that they think it's going to be an Indy beat down of us, and I see it as much more even than that.

[omar586]

to do list for the ravens:

 

 

1- stop the slow starts.

 

2- end lapses by the secondary.

 

3- get young WRs involved like aiken and brown.

[Willbacker]

The key to this whole game is turnovers. The Colts are gonna get some points but the Ravens passrush has gotta get to Luck and harrass him all day and even invade his dreams that night.

 

The offense is gonna have to maintain clock control and with Art Jones being out that should help our running game.