Ebony Bird
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Ravens Vs. Colts: Breaking Down Preseason Game 2

By Chris Schisler

Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with defensive back Eric Weddle (32) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with defensive back Eric Weddle (32) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens are going to battle the Indianapolis Colts in the second preseason game on Saturday. Here is a preview of the game:

The Ravens have traditionally been snake bitten when it comes to traveling to Indianapolis. It’s hard to fear Lucas Oil Field for a preseason game but that has been a house of horror for the Ravens. The Ravens have lost on all seven trips to take on the Colts. In the preseason the stakes are practically non existent but the process does matter.

The defense has to ease the concerns of the fan base. Last week Cam Newton quickly and methodically sliced up the Ravens defense on the first drive of the game. Now the Ravens need to show that their defense has the requisite force to be a power in the AFC. According to reports, Andrew Luck is slated to play in this game.

The defense has to get in some quick work and earn their time on the bench. The preseason is not a time for the Ravens to risk injuries, but they don’t want to go into the season without confidence. The defense, most specifically the secondary, must show some fight. If Andrew Luck carves the Ravens up the way Newton was able to, Baltimore we have a problem.

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It will be interesting to see what players get time on the field in this game. It sounds like the only Joe Flacco sightings will be from the sidelines. Terrell Suggs and Steve Smith Sr. returned to practice this week, but I wouldn’t bet on them playing in the preseason game. It seems players who have had recent injuries will probably sit this one out.

With Ryan Mallet under center the running backs will be in the spotlight again. It will be interesting to see if Justin Forsett gets some snaps. Forsett is the presumed starter at the running back position and he was awarded the night off last Thursday. Kenneth Dixon and Terrance West could put on another show. The one place the Ravens don’t have any concerns for is behind the quarterback.

The purple and black had some roster bubble players do next to nothing last week. For example Victor Ochi and Keenan Reynolds did not live up to the hype they have generated. James Hurst struggled a bit. Another player that is not in the coaching staffs’ good graces is Kyle Arrington. There is no doubt about it, Arrington just looks bad.

Next: Three Things To Watch In Ravens Second Preseason Game

John Harbaugh is going to want to see his core players who actually take the field take a step up. The team has to be building towards something. For the rest of the 90 man roster, Saturday night will be about making the roster. One thing you always see in the preseason is incredible effort. Jobs are on the line.

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