2013 AFC Wildcard Game: #5 Indianapolis Colts at #4 Baltimore Ravens

[BazookaJoe5]

The Ravens may get destroyed by New England or Denver next weekend, but they aren't losing Ray's last home game.

 

[ram29jackson]

Of all the teams in the AFC's Bracket this year I think Baltimore is the best match up for Indianapolis.

You could make an argument for Houston, but Houston is still a lot better on Paper than Indianapolis, and if they ever figure out how to win games consistently they could challenge teams like New England and Baltimore for top dawg of the American Football Conference.

I don't expect Indianapolis to win this game. They're playing on the road, in a place where the general population loathes the organization, so the Raven fans will be rabid this weekend and home field advantage will be in full effect. Indianapolis has to fight the elements, and even though everyone plays on the same field, Baltimore plays in the elements much more often. This game will be interesting to watch, because while Manning was playing in Indianapolis, losing to Baltimore was never really a significant fear. Manning owned Baltimore for a # of years here in Indianapolis, whether it was playoff games or regular season. It should be interesting to see what Andy Luck does and if he can limit mistakes against a historically solid defense.

As with any other Colt game this year, if the Defense can stop the run, and the offense can limit turnovers, they have a good chance to win this game. If they do somehow slide out of Baltimore after this wildcard round however, I see them getting thoroughly exposed by whichever team they face in the divisional round. Indy has played above their talent this year, and combining that with a relatively weak schedule (although Indianapolis did beat 3 playoff teams this year), I don't expect a deep playoff run.

bla bla bla...rookie QB = Colts lose game

 

[Bear Pand]

How do you go from this:

I waited till after the wildcard weekend as always. Theres no way i'm predicting the outcome of a bunch of rookies in a league with no defense anymore.

to this:

bla bla bla...rookie QB = Colts lose game

???

 

[ram29jackson]

How do you go from this:



to this:


???

part 2 is not a definitive prediction. Its a blatant bias I hope to see come about. I do not support rookies winning playoff games. Its great for merchandising but dumbs down how good these pro's are supposed to be.

 

[Meepichi]

I haven't been impressed with the Ravens this year, and while the Colts aren't a great team either, I think Luck and their offense can beat the Ravens defense.

 

[x0xHumblex0x]

Ray Rice will pounding that rock today on the Colts who cant stop the run..........

Luck will be gun-slinging all game, like "his Coaching staff has been asking him to do ALL SEASON".
now, resulting in numerous INTs which be costly on the road in the playoffs.

i just cant see that working on the road against a team that is there in the playoffs just about every season for a long time.....

flip a coin........

is that the only phrase you know ? you flipped a coin in the Packers/Vikes thread too

changed my mind........

 

[EmpireWF]

Arians in hospital, won't call the game.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Ray Ray's final home game is balanced out by Ariens not being there. Should make this an even better game to watch. Ravens offense did not look good that first series, either.

 

[ram29jackson]

Adam Vinatieri actually missed a field goal...wow

 

[EmpireWF]

Ravens pulling a bend dont break defense and Flacco throwing some crazy balls that Boldin is pulling down like a stud.

 

[Bmore]

gg Colts! great season for a team who just picked #1 overall.

 

[ram29jackson]

Luck threw 28/54 for 288 useless yards with no TDs

Flacco

12/23 282, 2 TDs

Rice better hold on to the ball next week

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Ravens defense dialed up the pressure all game, and looked different from the version that played Washington in Week 14. Still a dangerous defense there, and Ray Lewis' retirement announcement is an x-factor you can't really ignore going forward. This defense was miles better today with him on the field.

 

[ram29jackson]

Ravens defense dialed up the pressure all game, and looked different from the version that played Washington in Week 14. Still a dangerous defense there, and Ray Lewis' retirement announcement is an x-factor you can't really ignore going forward. This defense was miles better today with him on the field.

that is a little questionable... A Ravens Defense only got 1 int in 54 passes. Is Ray and the defense up to speed for a game against the Broncos ?

 

[Maynard]

ravens were flying all over the field. colts ddidnt seem up to the task

and fuck ray lewis

 

[ThomasTomasz]

that is a little questionable... A Ravens Defense only got 1 int in 54 passes. Is Ray and the defense up to speed for a game against the Broncos ?

This was essentially their warm-up game for the Broncos I think. I'm not a Ravens fan at all, but I've watched a lot of their games late and the defense looked a whole lot better this week than before.

 

[EmpireWF]

Pollard was a freak today...the helmet-to-helmet not withstanding.

 

[f16harm]

Pollard was a freak today...the helmet-to-helmet not withstanding.

I am so sick of this shitty fucking rule. It needs be changed ASAP. A safety can't hit anyone catching a ball anymore in any fashion it seems.

 

[EmpireWF]

I am so sick of this shitty fucking rule. It needs be changed ASAP. A safety can't hit anyone catching a ball anymore in any fashion it seems.

Well..you can, just don't use your helmet to hit the guy in the head.

 

[f16harm]

Well..you can, just don't use your helmet to hit the guy in the head.

Give me a break with that BS. Refs are calling personal fouls even when there is leading with the shoulder. It is impossible to get your helmet out of the way when....ya know.....it's attached to your head, which is attached to your shoulders. Pollard in this case did lead with his shoulder.

If a hit looks anywhere near hard on a receiver, the flag gets thrown regardless. It's either a "leading with the helmet" or" hitting a defenseless receiver" (which makes him it automatically if he drops the ball!). In the latter, they expect the defender to stop mid-air I guess or at full sprint. The defender is in a no win situation.