The Indianapolis Colts travel to Baltimore, Maryland to face the Baltimore Ravens in another AFC matchup. The matchup between the two will be the third time in four seasons, with the Ravens winning the last two contests. In 2021, the Colts let a 19-point deficit slip away by allowing QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to march down the field in overtime to complete their comeback victory with a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown. The performance by Jackson was his best game of his NFL career. Jackson completed 37 of 43 passes for 442 yards and threw four touchdowns. He also rushed for 62 yards.
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Keys To Victory: Defense
Colts will have their hands tied trying to contain Jackson because he’s a dual threat quarterback. While Jackson loves to extend plays with his legs he will be without running back JK Dobbins, who suffered a torn achilles week 1 vs Texans and is out for the season. Ravens did elevate veteran running backs Kenyan Drake and Melvin Gordon to their active roster. The Colts run defense continues to excel, while holding their opponents to 78.5 yards a game (7th in the NFL). Colts will have to force Jackson to beat them in the passing game and allow their defensive front led by defensive tackle Deforest Buckner to get after the star quarterback.
Last week against the Texans, the Colts sacked rookie quarterback CJ Stroud six times and hit him a total of nine times while forcing only one turnover. It will be interesting to see how new Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken utilize rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews. So far in two games, Flowers averages 70 receiving yards a game but he will be without veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham, who was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason. Flowers is a threat to take the top off the defense and Jackson will be looking to push the ball down field to one of his top targets. Colts defense will have to limit Jackson impact in both the passing and running game to have a chance at winning the game.
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Keys To Victory: Offense
Colts head coach Shane Steichen should feel more comfortable calling plays for a familiar face at quarterback. Veteran quarterback Garder Minshew getting the start for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who exit in the first half vs Texans with a concussion. One way to limit Jackson impact on the field is to control the time of possession, score touchdowns, and play turnover free football. With center Ryan Kelly being out with a concussion, Colts could lean on the run game with running back Zach Moss and newly signed running back Trey Sermon. After missing week 1 vs Jaguars, Moss returned in week 2 vs Texans and made an immediate impact. Moss rushed for 88 rushing yards on 18 carries. Ravens weakness on defense is their secondary because they are banged up.
Starting safety Marcus Williams and starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey will be inactive in this game. Colts should look for potential mismatch in their secondary. Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr are prime candidates to explorit those mismatches. In 2021, Pittman Jr had 6 catches for 89 receiving yards and a touchdown. On yesterday, it was reported by local weather reporters Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed off the coast of North Carolina and expected to hit Maryland on Sunday. Reporters are expecting Ophelia will weakened prior to tipoff at 1:00 pm. This could be an ugly low scoring game for both teams.
