Divisional Round Playoff Betting – Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Saturday, January16th - 8:15pm EST
Lucas Oil Field Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

NFL Betting Line: Indianapolis Colts -6.5 (44)

On Saturday Night, the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Baltimore Ravens in the second of four NFL divisional playoff games.  Baltimore is riding high after embarrassing the New England Patriots on their home field last weekend. Embarrassing the Colts will be a much tougher proposition.

The BetOnline Sportsbook has the Indianapolis Colts the -6½ point favorites, while a straight up wager on the Ravens will pay NFL Betting fans +220 on the moneyline. The over/under for the game is set at 44 points.

The Ravens snuck into the playoffs in week 17 but they busted down the Patriots front door Sunday afternoon and delivered the Patriots first playoff home loss in more than 30 years. The Patriots were missing Wes Welker that allowed the Ravens to double-team Randy Moss, leaving Brady with no legitimate targets. Manning will have all of his favorites ready to go Saturday.

The team’s play was reminiscent of their 2000 playoff run that ended in a Super Bowl championship. All defense and all rushing, Joe Flacco did his best Trent Dilfer impression, completing only four passes in the victory.

The question remains can the Ravens 2000 v2.0 upset the Colts? This will be the second meeting between the clubs this year, with the Colts winning a close 17-15 game.

Indianapolis Colts (-6) vs Baltimore Ravens >> Join to Bet Now

Baltimore rushing has been spectacular this season with 2nd year man Ray Rice gaining yards and veteran Willis McGahee finding the end zone. Their strength on the ground is perfectly suited to attack the Colts major weakness. The Colts finished near the bottom of the league, allowing the opposition to rush for more than 126 yards a game. Baltimore ranked well eighth against the pass but they allowed Peyton Manning to throw for 299 yards in their week 11 matchup. 

Indianapolis finished with a 14-2 record and there is little doubt that they would have gone 16-0 had Bill Polian not ordered Coach Jim Caldwell to sit his starters in the final two weeks.  It seems whatever obstacle is in front of the Colts find a way to win and I believe this weekend will be no different.

Peyton Manning won his fourth MVP award after finishing the finest season of his career, throwing for 4500 yards, 33 touchdowns and orchestrated seven come from behind victories. Both Dallas Clark (1106 yards, 10 TDs) and Reggie Wayne (1264 yards, 10 TDs) had fantastic seasons and receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon earned Manning’s trust early in the season.  On the ground the Colts have been OK, but Joseph Addai, feeling the push from backup Donald Brown, had a solid year finding the end zone 13 times.

A lot of the trendy money so far this week has backed the Baltimore Ravens but I’m taking the Colts to win by a touchdown. Except for the first three games of 2009, the Ravens have been unable to be consistent; their win over the Patriots was only the second playoff team they have beaten all season. The Patriots were ready to be beat, the Colts have the Super Bowl in sight and the Ravens will be just another speed bump on their way. Take the Colts -6½

NFL Pick: Indianapolis Colts – 6½

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