If last Monday Night was the “Super Bowl” for the Cleveland Browns, then this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium will be the Ravens version of the Super Bowl. Ravens fans will rudely welcome in Colts fans, along with Peyton Manning and the rest of his squad, for yet another showdown with our former team here in Baltimore. There is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts have had our number. Since our inception into the NFL, we are 6-2 against Indy, winning the first two battles here in Baltimore, then dropping the last six. The most painful came during the playoffs in 2006, where the Colts took advantage of some lucky breaks and field goals to defeat the Ravens 15-6 at M&T Bank Stadium. Manning and his offense bring a lot of heat, as well as the Colts defense. In order for Baltimore to come out victorious, here are my keys to victory.
Unleash The Kruger: The big headline on the Ravens website! With pro bowl defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs out for a few weeks, thanks to a dirty block by Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, the rookie Paul Kruger will make his first start for the purple and black. Kruger dazzled Ravens fans and coaching staff with his hard nosed play in the preseason, and have eagerly anticipated the debut of this rookie sensation. Kruger will need to put some pressure on Peyton Manning, as well as a little help from the rest of the front four. Now that Haloti Ngata is back for this game, I can sleep a little better at night.
Fire Off The Bazooka: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has not thrown a touchdown pass since Week 8 against the Denver Broncos. Part of that is the fact he hasn’t gotten good protection the past few weeks, and his receivers have not gotten open. Flacco showed everyone he was a rookie last year against the Colts, and will look to show the Indy defense that he has finally grown up.
The Blind Side and the Strong Side: Two words that strike fear the heart of every quarterback facing the Colts….Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. These two beasts at defensive end have terrorized Ravens quarterbacks, from Kyle Boller to the late Steve McNair, and last year with Joe Flacco. Tackles Michael Oher and Jarred Gather will need to keep these two contained to give Bazooka Joe some time to find the open receiver. If not, it will be a long and ugly day.
A Chess Match: Ray Lewis knows how to play Peyton Manning’s game. The Ravens defense will have to not only use their brute strength, but keep their wits sharp against a confusing Colts offense.
I believe we can win this game, no matter how complicated it may be for us to do so. We have a great home field advantage here in Baltimore, which is a tribute to our great fans. The fans will need to bring it along with the Ravens. While I do believe we can win this game, I am still skeptical. Look for Joe Flacco not to come up big, but the defense and Ray Rice to step up in this game. Who knows, maybe our new kicker Billy Cundiff will kick us a game winner. Let’s go out and win this game and send the Colts back to Indy. Only this time, it wont’ be in a Mayflower moving truck.
Ravens 20 Colts 17
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