posted November 21, 2009 at 11:45 EST in NFL Free Picks
NFL Betting Insider - Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
by Tim Furious
NFL Betting Insider – Indianapolis Clashes With Baltimore!
The Colts were let off the hook by arrogance and miscalculations from Bill Belichik. Not that I’m avoiding the subject, but I think you’ve been bombarded by opinions about the infamous “4th and 2” play that will go down as the call heard round the world. Just remember two things: it was a regular season game and it only proved that the Patriots are the only one standing in the way of the Patriots on the road to the Super Bowl. For Peyton Manning, the next team on the docket standing in between him ad imperfection is the dangerous Baltimore Ravens.
The news of Terrell Suggs’ MCL sprain, at the hands of Brady Quinn, certainly gives Indianapolis a huge advantage here. The secondary issues in Baltimore aside, the key to beating the Colts is putting undue pressure on Peyton Manning. Suggs is the kind of combo linebacker that can sneak in and disguise his blitz coverage. Without him, it’s an automatic uphill battle for the Ravens. Indy averages a blistering 315.1 yards per game through he air, while Baltimore is ranked 6th in pass defense at home.
While the big news was that Indy won a tight game last week, the overlooked thought is that they didn’t cover the spread. On the road, however, the Colts are a snippy 5-1 ATS in 6 tries away from home and are undefeated in their last five games against Baltimore. Can Ray Lewis keep momentum behind Baltimore and cause a massive upset?
Indianapolis Colts (9-0) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-4)
Sunday, November 22nd --- 1:00pm EST
MT&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
NFL Betting Line: Indianapolis -2 (45)
>> Join now to bet on Colts -2 vs Ravens
My problem with Baltimore is that they’re streaky. One second, the offense is posting 30+ points a game, and the next, they’re managing just sixteen points on the board against freaking Cleveland. For a team that is 17-6 ATS in their last 23 games, they certainly don’t seem consistent enough to warrant any sports handicap action. I also hate the fact that they haven’t covered the NFL point spread against Indy in five tries (0-5 ATS).
What I like, and continue to like, about Baltimore is former Rutgers standout, Ray Rice. He leads a home rushing offense that ranks eighth in the league and averages 136.8 yards per game. It just seems that he has a nasty habit of finding the endzone, like he’s the second coming of Tomlinson or something. Stopping him will be the number one ranked defense from the Colts which gives up just 15.8 points overall.
As I’ve written before, and will continue to do so until I see a “1” in the loss column of the Colts, Peyton has my vote. Call it magic if you want to, but I’m going to call it luck and everyone’s runs out eventually (even the 1972 Dolphins had a patty cake schedule). Peyton has my confidence until he convinces me otherwise. But now, with tight lines and a road favorite bet, take the Colts.
