Since John Harbaugh took charge of the Ravens in 2008, Baltimore is 5-0 at home against Indianapolis (playoffs included). This year, the Ravens look to add to their sterling record against the Colts as they host the AFC South foe in Week 3.
Baltimore could be looking at a 3-0 start as they prepare for three straight weeks away from home in Weeks 4-6 (at Cleveland, at Pittsburgh, “home” versus the Titans in London). Needless to say, if the Ravens can get through the Colts game unscathed, it’ll set them up well ahead of what is sure to be an extremely intense 3-game run.
Here’s what we learned from the last time the Colts played the Ravens, and what we could see when these two teams square off this season.
Week 3, Baltimore, 1:00 pm ET
Sunday, September 24
2022 record: 4-12-1 (.265)
Ravens record against them since 2018: (2-0, 55-35 total score)
Key returning players: LG Quenton Nelson, RB Jonathan Taylor, MLB Shaquille Leonard
Key draft picks: QB Anthony Richardson, (Round 1, Pick 4), CB Julius Brents (Round 2, Pick 44), OT Blake Freeland (Round 4, Pick 106)
Film clips (10/11/2021):
· Taylor takes a swing pass 76 yards to the house (:02-20)
· Marlon jumps, gives Colts a 2nd chance at a field goal (5:56-6:15)
· Pittman mosses Averett, scores huge TD (6:44-7:03)
· Jackson loses fumble at the goal line (8:56-10:00)
· Lamar hits Hollywood for Baltimore’s 1st TD (11:24-11:37)
· Calais comes up big, blocks Blankenship FG (14:50-15:17)
· Jackson connects with Brown for the game-winning TD in overtime (18:02-18:23)
Analysis: The last time we saw the Colts in Baltimore, Frank Reich and his crew thoroughly outcoached the Ravens staff in the first half. Indianapolis had a few limitations of its own, otherwise Baltimore would’ve been out of the game before halftime.
Particularly with their offense against Baltimore’s defense, Indianapolis exploited repeated weaknesses and missed assignments on midline runs and deep passes to gain significant and consistent yardage. Specifically, Carson Wentz throwing to his left had a lot of success on deep outs and comebacks against Anthony Averett (who probably had his worst game as a Raven).
The Colts seemed to take whatever they wanted on offense and stopped the Ravens at the most critical times on defense. On 3rd downs, as the Ravens were 0-for-5 in the 1st half (all five yards or less). Slowly, but surely, the Ravens came to life in the 2nd half and overtime, beating the Colts, 31-25. Both Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews finished the game with 100-plus yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Assuming both teams can get through preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season without losing players to injury, here’s how I see this game playing out.
Though just two years have passed, these two squads will look fairly different this time around. As far as quarterbacks go, the Colts will start their 5th different quarterback in as many games against the Ravens. Each team has a young, uber-athletic x-factor in their defensive backfield that is always a threat to make a big play (Baltimore: S Kyle Hamilton, Indianapolis: CB Julius Brents).
On paper, it doesn’t seem like the Colts will put up too much resistance against the Ravens. When Baltimore is on offense, it will be able to run a bigger Lamar Jackson behind a much better offensive line than when these two teams last played. Baltimore will also have a plethora of speed at the wideout position, which should really put the Colts defensive backs in a bind, and subsequently, enable Mark Andrews to have another career performance.
When Baltimore is on defense, the biggest concern will be Jonathan Taylor and keeping him from getting to the perimeter. Baltimore gave up 9.4 yards per touch and two touchdowns to Taylor, most of which came after bad pursuit angles and broken tackles. While the loss of Calais Campbell on the edge will be felt, you have to think Roquan Smith will be able to negate many of Taylor’s would-be yards after contact.
Then, the big question is one we can’t answer yet: How will Anthony Richardson play in his first road game in Baltimore? There’s really no way of telling how he will endure the Ravens Flock in person, but then again, if Taylor and Michael Pittman get going early, Richardson may not have to do all that much.
Even if he makes a few big plays and scores a touchdown or two, I have to think Richardson will need to exhaust a lot of time off the clock while avoiding turning the ball over to do so. Conversely, the Ravens should definitely move the ball on the Colts defense, but their challenge won’t be scoring points, but scoring touchdowns instead of field goals. Enter: Todd Monken.
Will Monken have his system down smoothly by Week 3? Maybe not. Will he be able to have enough continuity in his play calling rhythm to keep the Ravens offense playing fast and physical? I think so.
While this game may not instill much fear in Ravens fans, it’s still important. For one, there’s no guarantee the Ravens will win. Secondly, as noted, the last thing the Ravens want is to lose a game they’ll be favored in right before going on a 3-game road trip.
When this game kicks off, it will have been 14,425 days since…you know what happened. While these current Ravens players weren’t alive then, many of the fans were. Rest assured they will make their voices heard.
As objective as I try to be, this is a really tough spot for the Colts. I see the Ravens winning by at least two touchdowns.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.