NFL Odds: Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

The poor Baltimore Ravens. They were robbed - or at least they thought so - of a victory Monday night against the Patriots, and now, on a short week, they have to deal, again on national TV, with the league's second-best team in the Indianapolis Colts. Indy is a -9.5 (41.5 over/under) betting favorite on WagerWeb.com.

I'm sure you know what happened Monday - the Patriots were stopped on numerous fourth downs late in the game, but were saved by a timeout and a few defensive penalties. It led to a memorial meltdown by Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, who threw a fastball with penalty flag into the stands and was, of course, flagged himself and fined this week.

"We got bad luck," Ravens defensive lineman Kelly Gregg said. "If we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all. We need to see a gypsy or something."

The Ravens did a lot of things right Monday against New England. Willis McGahee is coming off his best game as a Raven, gaining 138 yards as the Baltimore offensive line dominated. McGahee (243 carries, 1,048 yards) has scored in seven straight games and went over 1,000 yards for the third time in his career.

The Ravens have yielded an average of 28.3 points during their current six-game losing streak, but they got to New England QB Tom Brady three times. They hit him six times and defended nine passes. They held him to season lows in completions (18), completion percentage (47.4) and passer rating (76.3). They accounted for only his fifth interception.

And the Ravens continued their streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher - now at 15. That's the longest streak in the NFL, and the Ravens are the only defense to hold teams to fewer than 3 yards a carry.

"Their defense is what I remember it was last year and what it was the year before," Colts coach Tony Dungy said."(The New England game) was a reminder of how good they really are."

So that's all positive. But the Ravens still have lost six straight games, including three in a row at M&T Bank Stadium, their longesthome skid since 1999.
The Colts are coming off a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars where they allowed 168 yards rushing. Indy also allowed its second 100-yard rusher (Fred Taylor) of the season, yet still beat Jacksonville. Before last Sunday, the Colts hadn't given up more than 76 yards to a starting running back in six straight games.

Meanwhile, since gaining 100 yards in back-to-back games, Colts running back Joseph Addai has averaged 59.7 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry over the past four weeks.

And Indy will be without receiver Marvin Harrison for the eighth time in nine games. Harrison, who did not travel with the team to Baltimore, saw limited practice time Wednesday and had been listed as questionable for the game. He injured his knee Sept. 30 against Denver.(NFL Injury Report)

This all puts more pressure on Peyton Manning to shine. He has relied on wide receiver Reggie Wayne (76 receptions, eight touchdowns) and tight end Dallas Clark (49 catches, nine touchdowns) this season. Wayne had eight receptions for 158 yards last week and in the past six, Wayne has 39 catches for 669 yards (112 yards per game).

But in last season's playoff game at Baltimore, a 15-6 Indy victory, Manning was only 15 of 30 for 170 yards and two interceptions

The Colts, who have a one-game lead on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, are trying to keep on pace for a first-round bye. Indy can clinch the AFC South with a win and loss by Jacksonville and loss or tie by Tennessee.

The lowdown: Ravens CB Chris McAlister (knee) is a game-time decision after playing Monday night. . The Colts will make their fourth appearance in the city they used to call home before relocating to Indianapolis in 1984. Indianapolis has won four straight in series. . Manning has nine TDs in five career games vs. Ravens. ...... Colts are 17-3 when Clark scores. . Indianapolis is second in NFL in total defense (277 yards per game). ... Colts have third-best turnover margin in league (plus-11), including league-low three lost fumbles. ... Baltimore has league-worst minus-20 turnover differential, including NFL-high 20 lost fumbles. ... Dungy is 5-0 all-time against the Ravens, including a win while he was at the helm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. Baltimore's Brian Billick is 1-4 against Indianapolis in his career and is 0-5 head-to-head against Dungy. Expect Dungy to improve to 6-0 Sunday vs. Baltimore but for the Ravens to show a little fight and cover the spread.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens betting trends
The Colts are 7-5 ATS.
The Colts are 3-3 ATS away.
The Colts are 6-5 ATS as the favorite.
The Colts are 3-3 ATS as an away favorite.
The Ravens are 2-10 ATS.
The Ravens are 2-4 ATS at home.
The Ravens are 1-4 ATS as the underdog.
The Ravens are 1-1 ATS as a home underdog.

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