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Ravens host Colts: Complete preview and analysis

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass while teammate offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 blocks against cornerback Dwayne Gratz #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass while teammate offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 blocks against cornerback Dwayne Gratz #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass while teammate offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 blocks against cornerback Dwayne Gratz #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass while teammate offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 blocks against cornerback Dwayne Gratz #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens kick off week 16 in the NFL with a Saturday battle against the Indianapolis Colts:

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the worst teams in football. The Baltimore Ravens are pursuing a playoff seed and have won four of their last five games. This is expected to be a big win for the purple and black. It would be alarming if this game ended up being tight. The Ravens fancy themselves as a team that can win the Super Bowl. Contenders don’t lose this game.

In a league of 32 teams the Colts have the 31st ranked offense and the 31st ranked defense. Andrew Luck has missed the entire season and Jacoby Brissett has become his replacement. The Colts lean heavily on Frank Gore, however he isn’t the superstar that he once was. The veteran running back has 793 yards on 220 carries. Let’s put that statistic in perspective by comparing it to the Ravens’ rushing attack. Alex Collins has 844 yards on 174 carries. There is not one thing the Colts do that is overly impressive.

This better be easy:

This is the type of game that the defense should dominate. If the Ravens score 20 points, it’s doubtful that the second worst scoring offense could match it. To be honest, it would not be shocking to see a fourth shutout on the season.  Baltimore wants to keep the offense humming but Joe Flacco and company should not have to do too much. This is the type of game where it’s not about winning, it’s about winning well.

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This could be one of the last games for Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis. With the frustrations circling around Dean Pees, I would not be shocked if Pagano was the Ravens defensive coordinator next year. Pagano has had a rough time in Indianapolis but he is one of the best defensive minds in the game. Pagano was the Ravens defensive coordinator in 2011.

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