Colts Try To Buck Trend Vs. Ravens as Ravens Try To Buck Trend Vs. Colts

The Indianapolis Colts will come into M&T Bank Stadium this weekend with hopes of ending a season long losing streak. The Colts have made a change at the quarterback position bringing in NFL veteran Dan Orlovsky. Orlovsky, you may remember, was one of the quarterbacks for the Lions 0-16 team from 2008. He was also the quarterback that ran out of the back of the end zone that year to cause a safety. Here he is again on a winless team trying to turn things around late in the season. This will be a tough test against a team from Baltimore looking to start their play off push.

Last week in New England, Orlovsky completed 30 of 37 passes for 353 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. Not a bad day at all. Most of the yards came when the game was already way out of hand and the Patriots went into prevent defense. Guess they didn't want to cover the 21 point spread. Still, the positive outing has given some Colts fans hope that an 0-16 season may not be inevitable.

The Indianapolis Colts have always given the Ravens fits. Usually lead by all world quarterback Peyton Manning, they have knocked the Ravens out of the play offs on more than one occasion. Although Manning is the franchise player for Indianapolis, it has been the Colts defense more often than not that has won the games against Baltimore. They play a 4-3 which has traditionally made life difficult for Ravens' young quarterback Joe Flacco. Indianapolis also features two of the leagues premier pass rushers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Freeney and Mathis are exactly the kind of pass rushers that the Ravens offensive line seems to struggle against. They are smaller and faster than your traditional defensive ends and could cause problems for our tackles.

This should be another game in which Baltimore relies heavily on the run. The Colts linebackers are smaller and a few of their starers are currently injured. Indianapolis still boasts an excellent receiving corps with Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. They have one of the leagues best tight ends in Dallas Clark as well. It would serve Baltimore well to run the ball and win the time of possession battle, keeping the Colts offense on the sidelines. The Colts may be winless but they still have a very talented roster and are capable of putting up points on the board. If this was not a home game I would feel a bit uncomfortable heading into this match. Especially since there is not much recent tape on Orlovsky.

In the end Baltimore should stay strong at home and cause a few turn overs against the reeling team from Indy. Ravens win 31-10.