NFL Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

The Baltimore Ravens will try pull out an upset for the second week in a row as they travel to Indianapolis to take on a Colts team that hasn’t played a meaningful game in nearly a month this Saturday at 8:15 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.

NFL Playoff Betting Odds:

Baltimore Ravens +6
Indianapolis Colts -6
O /U 44

Last week Baltimore literally and figuratively ran all over New England as they collected 234 rushing yards and 3 ground TDs between Ray Rice (159 yards and 2 TD) and Willis McGahee (62 yards and 1 TD).

Now they are up to face the 24th ranked rushing defense which had trouble against teams who ran the ball, like the Jets and the Dolphins. Expect Rice to have a big game.

Also remember Baltimore defense only permits 16 points per game and are playing at their best level in the best time of the year.

Baltimore beat the Patriots in the first quarter last week. "We got the two best quarterbacks in the game back to back. We definitely have to bring our ‘A’ game," linebacker Terrell Suggs said.
The Ravens will need both their running game and defense to come up big, because they won’t be able to win this game on Joe Flacco’s arm. Last week Joe Flacco looked very uncomfortable vs a frazzled New England team and don’t expect him to do much more this week.

Indianapolis -6 vs Baltimore >> Join to Bet Now

In a "surprising" development, Baltimore Ravens offensive left tackle Jared Gaither missed practice this week, and his status is in question this weekend.

This could be a critical situation. In the games that Gaither missed, rookie Michael Oher (who inspired the movie “The Blind Side”) moved over to the left tackle spot (the blind side), which was won’t be an issue, but then Oniel Cousins was forced into duty at right tackle, which was will be dangerous for Joe Flacco.

In addition to not being able to handle the playing duties, Cousins committed a critical personal foul penalty that pushed the Ravens out of field goal range in their December loss to the Steelers.

This upcoming week the Ravens go up against the Colts and Indy defensive standouts Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are licking their chops.
Turning to the Colts who rested their player the last two games of the regular season which means their starters haven’t played a full football game in almost a month. This shouldn’t be a big concern since this has been Indy’s M.O. for years.

"The ultimate goal is to get to the Super Bowl and win," defensive end Raheem Brock said. "Sixteen and oh sounds great, but I don’t really care what the record is because no one remembers that. Unless, of course, you’re 16-0."

NFL Playoff Betting Tip: Peyton Manning is just coming off winning his 4th regular season MVP, but each time Manning has won MVP his team hasn’t won the Super Bowl.

NFL betting trends: Baltimore is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road and Indianapolis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home. Also the total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 6 games but it has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games on the road.

Last 4 Head to Head Matchups

• Nov 22, 2009 BAL 15, @IND 17
• Oct 12, 2008 BAL 3, IND 31
• Dec 9, 2007 BAL 20, @IND 44
• Jan 13, 2007 BAL 6, @IND 15

My winning pick: Take the Ravens with the points and the over.