While there’s no love lost between the fans of the Indianapolis Colts (1-3) and Baltimore Ravens (3-1), the animosity likely won’t spill onto the field for Monday night’s Week 5 finale.
The Ravens fans will likely jeer the Colts all night long, given that the franchise bailed on the city 40 years ago. The kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium and will air on ESPN.
Colts Looking for Consecutive Wins
After starting the season 0-3 and with quarterback Carson Wentz struggling, the Colts finally put it all together last week to beat Miami. They held the Dolphins to 35 yards rushing in that win, and they will need another stellar defensive output to make it two wins in a row.
Wentz struggled through two sprained ankles in the first three games and never had a healthy offensive line protecting him. The Colts’ big offensive acquisition has completed 64 percent of his passes through four games with five touchdowns and one interception.
Jonathan Taylor is averaging 4.7 yards per carry with 274 total yards and one touchdown. No other Colts back has more than 70 yards on the season, while Nyheim Hines has scored once.
T.Y Hilton is on IR and may not play this season. Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman have stepped up in the passing game to combine for 38 catches. Pascal has three touchdowns while Pittman leads the team with 279 yards.
Jackson Leading Ravens Again
The Ravens can set an NFL record on Monday night with their 44th straight game of at least 100 rushing yards. Given the way they went about tying the record in the final seconds last Sunday at Denver, it’s a given they will go all out for the records against the Colts.
Baltimore has played just one home game on the season, a win over the Kansas City Chiefs on a Sunday Night game. Now they play four straight at home with a bye week mixed in, giving John Harbaugh’s team a chance to take control of the AFC North.
Jackson has completed 60 percent of his passes on the season, accumulating 1,077 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s used his legs to run for 279 yards for a 6.6 average while scoring two touchdowns.
With multiple running backs injured, Ty’Son Williams leads the Ravens with 164 rushing yards while newcomer Latavius Murray has 151 yards and a team-leading three scores. Devonta Freeman has played in three games while Le’Veon Bell was activated last week, rushing four times for 11 yards.
Betting Analysis
- Indianapolis Colts +7 (-110). Money line +250
- Baltimore Ravens -7 (-110), Money line -320
- Total Points: 46. Over -110, under -110
The Ravens are 16-2 in home primetime games under Harbaugh, including 1-0 this season. The Colts allowed over 100 rushing yards in the first three games and struggled against two mobile quarterbacks before shutting down Miami last week. The Ravens defense has consecutive strong games against Detroit and Denver and should make life tough on Wentz and company.
Betting Pick: Ravens -7
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