Preview & Predictions: Week 16 - Colts Return to Battle Ravens

As we near closer to Christmas, the Ravens will try to give fans an early gift this Saturday night. Baltimore will face off against the former city’s team, the Colts. The Colts return to Baltimore with no success this season. Indianapolis has only won three games this season, losing the other eleven games. The Colts are obviously eliminated from the playoffs, but the team is not done competing yet. Indianapolis has given some very good teams a good scare, and look to play spoiler in Baltimore. The Ravens need to win out to secure a playoff berth, and the Colts will try to prevent that.

Keys to a Baltimore Ravens Victory

Baltimore’s Defense Must Stifle the Weak Colts Offense

Indianapolis’ offense this season has been very weak. The Colts’ star quarterback Andrew Luck missed the entire season with a shoulder injury. In his absence, Indianapolis turned to Jacoby Brissett, the former Patriots third-string quarterback. Brissett is a competent quarterback, but not extraordinary like Andrew Luck. Brissett will not electrify an offense or make plays happen on his own, but he can manage a football game. The Ravens will have to worry more about running back Frank Gore, and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Gore is having another fantastic season in his Hall of Fame career. Gore has been able to effectively move the ball on the ground all season for the Colts. Like Gore, Hilton has also been vital to Colts’ offense this season. Hilton this season has been Indianapolis’ best receiver all year, gaining over 850 yards through the air. To secure an essential victory, the Ravens will need to shut down Indianapolis’ offense. To do this, Baltimore will need a strong performance by the run defense unit, and the cornerbacks guarding T.Y. Hilton.

Ravens Must Take Advantage of Indianapolis’ Terrible Defense

To be blunt, the Indianapolis Colts have a terrible defense. Indianapolis’ defense is ranked 30th overall, 30th in passing, and 29th in rushing. To defeat the Colts, the Ravens’ offense must take advantage of the opposing defense. To do this, the Ravens must produce in both the passing and running attack. Baltimore will be missing receiver, Jeremy Maclin, but will have Mike Wallace. Quarterback Joe Flacco will have to spread the ball around but focus on getting the ball to Wallace. Wallace is Baltimore’s best downfield threat, and the Ravens will need a solid performance by him. On the ground, the Ravens will need Alex Collins to deliver. Last week, Collins was unable to get started against the Browns, and the responsibilities of leading rusher fell on the shoulders of Buck Allen. Collins will have to find success early against the Colts in order to give Baltimore the edge.

Ravens Special Teams Must Prove Their Worth

The Wolfpack, Baltimore’s special teams’ trio of Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, and Morgan Cox were snubbed of a Pro Bowl invitation. Tucker is the league’s best kicker, Koch is the league’s best punter, and Cox is one of the best long snappers in the league. The trio feels slighted by their Pro Bowl absence, and want to show the NFL what they are missing. The Ravens will need the Wolfpack to show off against the Colts. Justin Tucker will give Baltimore scoring ability on any drive that gets downfield. Sam Koch will give the Ravens the ability to back the Colts up on offense. If the Ravens special teams unit can continue the success it has found all season, Baltimore will come out on top.