Baltimore Ravens Surprising Favorites Over Indianapolis Colts

NFL News - November 17th, 2009 - Written by John

A week ago, the Indianapolis Colts had to score twice in the final two minutes, and rely on a gamble by the New England Patriots to improve to 9-0 on the year. Odds are, they will have a bit of an easier task to get into the double-digits.

After a not-so-special performance against the Cleveland Browns, with the league's 32-ranked offense and defense, the Baltimore Ravens remain as one of those unknowns in the league with a defense that has played uncharacterisically pedestrian.

But it's not a gimme putt. As the New Orleans Saints continue their march as the other unbeaten against teams like the St. Lous Rams last week and Tampa Bay Bucs this week, the Colts continue to be tested this week. When fluid, the Ravens have a very enviable offense under John Harbaugh. Ray Rice has emerged as a solid option out of the backfield with 1,113 total yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns, and Joe Flacco has 2,199 yards and a 90.7 rating.

In fact, BetUS actually has Indianapolis pegged as the underdog in early lines, inheriting one point with a total of 44 1/2. If you are planning on betting on any other of the games going on during week 11 be sure to drop by our NFL Week 11 Betting Odds page for the odds and more information on them.

But Baltimore is still heated over the loss of linebacker Terrell Suggs, who was cut low last week by Brady Quinn. Ray Lewis has vented all week, calling the hit cheap and illegal, and will have to play over the top to make up for the loss.

If not, Peyton Manning might eat up the defense alive. Likely the front-runner for NFL MVP, Manning is the leading passer in the NFL and is well on his way to another 4,000 yard season. He has already passed Fran Tarkenton for third-most career yards and became the only quarterback to throw for over 40,000 yards in a decade.

Despite being ravaged by injuries, the Colts have bended, but not broken, filling in with young stars like Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Garcon had a circus catch late in the game against the Patriots that made the comeback possible.

Joseph Addai has a touchdown in every game since Week Two (including a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne). He has two touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.

The Colts have won the last six meetings, dating back to 2002, and are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight grass games. However, against winning teams, Indianapolis has struggled to cover the spread. In fact, they have failed to do so in seven of it's last nine tries.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are 13-5 ATS against the AFC recently and are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 overall.

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