Baltimore Sports Post

The Indianapolis Colts routed the Ravens 31-3 winning their first game at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.  The Colts were in control of the game from the start as they toyed with the Ravens on offense, defense and special teams.  The Ravens appeared to be lethargic and uninspired while the Colts played fast and pumped up.  The Ravens have never beaten the Colts in Indianapolis and this is the Colts sixth straight victory over the Ravens overall.

The lopsided loss was not an aberration if you consider the Ravens performance against high powered offenses in recent years like the Colts and Bengals (even the Browns in 2007).  On defense the Ravens rely on pressure and their aggressive defensive backs to make plays while the Colts offense is designed to take advantage of pressure and defensive backs that jump routes.  Maybe The Ravens need to go into games against teams like the Colts with a different gameplan, because it seems like they just wait for the Ravens to do their thing and then the Colts do their thing… then game over.

Though the Colts are an undersized defense and were missing key players to injury, they are fast and tackle well as a group.  Their style is perfect for defending the Ravens big, slow, and methodical running game and classically inept passing game.  Most of the day the Colts were stopping the Ravens running backs before they could get a head of steam.  They also exposed the Ravens rookie QB (three INTs and other bad decisions) showing that he needs to improve on his consistency and accuracy.  The Ravens offense main goal is to minimize the mistakes, and today they did a terrible job in that with five turnovers.

The Ravens defense showed flashes at times, but eventually Peyton Manning used the Ravens aggressiveness against them.  The Ravens corners were caught looking in the backfield on several occasions and were baited by double moves that went for long receptions and touchdowns.   By the time the Ravens adjusted by changing to a softer/safer defense it was already 24-0.  The Colts formula for success against the Ravens defense held true as the Ravens were too aggressive, had lapses in concentration on pass coverage and shotty tackling at times just like previous matchups against the Colts.  The Ravens #1 defense will be knocked down a few notches I’m sure… hopefully they’ll get back to playing solid Ravens defense in the coming weeks.