Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens: 3 big predictions

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 20: Matt Judon #91 of the Baltimore Ravens makes the sack on Scott Tolzien #16 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 20: Matt Judon #91 of the Baltimore Ravens makes the sack on Scott Tolzien #16 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 17: Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 17: Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

1. Alex Collins and Buck Allen will combine for 200 rushing yards:

If Alex Collins is healthy he is going to make the Colts day miserable. Collins is quickly becoming one of the most impressive players at the running back position, in all of football. I think he will go over 100 rushing yards for the third time this season. Collins is an elusive running back and the Colts don’t tackle particularly well.

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Don’t forget about Buck Allen, who has become the clear number two option in the Ravens backfield. Allen is coming off a game against the Browns where he racked up 70 yards on 13 carries. If Collins didn’t burst onto the scene, Allen would be the Ravens top back, as Terrence West is nothing but an after thought now.

The Ravens offensive line is going to dominate this game. Ryan Jensen is going to bully the Colts and the inside running game is going to be there all day. It just takes one perfectly timed cutback to get Collins into the open field. When he’s in the open field, there is no catching him. Not only are the Colts a bad defense but Collins and Allen are exactly the type of players they don’t want to see. The Colts can’t seem to stop a nosebleed. This should be easy sledding right before Christmas.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks a tackle from Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks a tackle from Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2. The Ravens will sack Jacoby Brissett five times:

The offensive line isn’t exactly the strength of the Indianapolis Colts. Jacoby Brissett has been sacked an unbelievable 49 times. The Ravens have sacked the opposing quarterback 38 times this season. The writing may as well be scribbled on the wall with a bright pink permanent marker, Brissett will be sacked at least five times in this game. Brissett has been sacked multiple times in 10 games this season. The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked him 10 times and the Tennessee Titans sacked him eight times.

The Ravens have some quarterback sack artists. Terrell Suggs has 11 sacks on the year. Matt Judon has officially avoided the sophomore slump with seven sacks. When Dean Pees actually does some blitzing, the pressure can come from anywhere. Pees has to make sure that T.Y. Hilton doesn’t beat him but Pees has little to fear in this game. He can bring the pressure and the Ravens can pile on Brissett.

From this pressure, turnovers can be created. When the Ravens offense was stagnant the defense needed turnovers just to stay in the game. Since the offense has woken up a bit, turnovers can create some serious separation that allows for a stress free Sunday, or in this case, a stress free Saturday.

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