The Baltimore Ravens will travel on the road to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon for an early Week 9 kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts.
Baltimore remains in second place in the AFC North division race with a 5-2 overall record through the first eight weeks of the regular season. However, the Ravens are about to endure a tough stretch of games with matchups against the Colts, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers over the next four weeks. Meanwhile, the Colts are tied with the Titans atop the AFC North with a 5-2 mark after pushing their current winning streak to two games last weekend.
Can Indianapolis stay hot at home against a short-handed Ravens team in Week 9?
Can Jackson, Ravens bounce back following loss vs. Steelers?
The Ravens took a step back in the AFC North last weekend with a 28-24 loss versus the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Lamar Jackson was held in check, completing just 13-of-28 passes for 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on the day. Jackson added 65 yards on the ground, helping the Ravens rush for a healthy 265 yards on the day. Rookie J.K. Dobbins led the team with a season-high 113 yards on the ground while Gus Edwards racked up 87 yards and a score in Mark Ingram’s absence.
Baltimore will be short-handed this week, thanks to injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak on the team. All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive for coronavirus and will be out for Sunday’s game along with seven other players who were deemed “high-risk close contacts”. Linebackers Matthew Judon and Patrick Queen are among four starters who will be joining Humphrey on the injured reserve/COVID-19 list. That means the Ravens defense, which has allowed just 18.9 points per game (2nd in the NFL), could be without five starters this weekend. (edit: most of those are expected to play assuming they test negative, but won't have much practice time). Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley will also be out after a season-ending ankle injury versus the Steelers.
If the Ravens want to regain their 2019 form, they will have to get more out of the reigning NFL MVP. Jackson has put up pedestrian numbers through the first eight weeks of the season. He comes in ranked No. 18 in Pro Football Focus’ quarterback grades and 19th in ESPN’s QBR rankings, which he topped in 2019. To make matters worse, former first-round pick and top receiving target Marquise Brown complained about a lack of targets earlier this week.
Colts looking like contenders with Rivers at QB
The Colts earned their second straight win last week, taking down the Detroit Lions 41-21 behind a strong game from veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers. Rivers threw for 263 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers to help the Colts set a new season-high in points in the win.
Jordan Wilkins emerged from the backfield to lead the team with 89 rushing yards and a touchdown while fellow backup Nyheim Hines caught three passes for 54 yards and two scores on the day. Indianapolis’ defense also stepped up, forcing two turnovers and sacking Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford five times.
Despite not having a clear top target, Rivers has been able to make due by spreading the ball around in his first season in Indianapolis. Fifteen different receivers have caught passes from the 38-year-old signal-caller this season, led by T.Y. Hilton, who has 22 catches for 251 yards but has yet to find the end zone in 2020.
The biggest surprise for Indianapolis last week was the emergence of third-string running back Jordan Wilkins, who took the lions share of the carries away from talented rookie Jonathan Taylor. Wilkins has spent most of his Colts’ career waiting in the shadows but took advantage of his opportunities last week, which could force Indianapolis to move to more of a running-back-by-committee approach.
Notable Trends
Indianapolis
- Colts are 12-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Colts are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 games in November.
- Colts are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Baltimore
- Ravens are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS loss.
- Ravens are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Ravens are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
