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Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts NFL Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 12, 2010

The 10-7 Baltimore Ravens take on the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Last week, the Ravens flexed their muscles against Tom Brady and the Patriots with a 33-14 win as a 3.5-point underdog. Meanwhile, the Colts were at home with a first round bye. These two teams have already met once this season with Indy hanging on for a 17-15 win in Week 11. The Ravens had an opportunity to win the game, but QB Joe Flacco was intercepted at the Colts’ 13-yard line with just under three minutes remaining. The Colts lead the all-time series 8-2, and they have won the only prior playoff meeting. NFL odds makers have listed the Indianapolis Colts as a 7-point favorite with the total set at 44.

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The Colts are 4-0 all-time at home against the team from the city where they used to hail. But in order to improve to 5-0, the Colts are going to have to get a monkey off their back. Many forget that the Colts did not have a bye in the 2006 season when they won the Super Bowl. That is also the year when they defeated the Ravens in the divisional round. The monkey I’m referring to is that the Colts are 0-3 with Peyton Manning under center when they have a first round bye. In all three of those years, the Colts chose to rest Manning for at least part of the game in the regular season finale, and they chose to do the same thing this season. The question we must now ask is if the Colts finally find reward in their rest, or rust? If Indy can indeed get past Baltimore and eventually end up in the Super Bowl, interestingly enough, they would become the second straight team to advance to the Super Bowl with the NFL’s worst rushing offense. It is worth noting that the Ravens are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 meetings against the Colts. If you expect this trend to continue, bet the Colts at -7 at Bodog.

Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis has been the face of the Baltimore Ravens for a lot of years, but there is a new Ray in town that will soon take over the role. Second-year running back Ray Rice has had a breakout season, rushing for 1,339 yards and seven touchdowns. He also lead the team with 78 receptions. The Ravens have determined that they are at their best when running the football. That’s why we saw them run the ball 52 times last week and only pass it 10 times. Indy did hold Rice to just 71 yards in the season’s first meeting, and I can’t see Baltimore winning if the Colts have success in stopping him again.

I know Ray Lewis is the heart and soul of the Ravens, but perhaps no player on the defense is as valuable as safety Ed Reed. Reed has six interceptions in six career playoff games, getting another one against Tom Brady last week while taking Randy Moss out of the game. If he can take one away from Peyton Manning and keep Reggie Wayne from getting loose, it could go a long way toward pulling off the upset. It is worth noting that the Ravens are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 playoff road games. If you like Baltimore to get back to the AFC championship game for a second straight year, bet the Ravens at +7 at Bodog.

Jimmy Boyd is off to a strong 3-1 start in the NFL Playoffs, highlighted by nailing his Wild Card Game of the Year on the Cardinals and his Wild Card Total of the Year on the Ravens/Patriots Over. Join Jimmy in the Divisional round for more winning football picks on the pro gridiron!

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