Indy's Pass Rush

[Filmstudy]

Despite yesterday's game, I don't want folks to lose sight of the fact that the Colts are a Very Mediocre Road Team. They have lost their last 4 road games, and to what can only be termed as average or lower competition in aggregate (Jax, Tenn, Dallas, Houston).

The stadium in Indy is a great refuge for the Colts. It is remarkably loud, and it magnifies the impact of their otherwise lousy pass rush. Does anyone recall that the Colts were next to last in the entire NFL in sacks this year?

In fact, in 8 road games, they have registered a whopping 6 sacks for 34 yards. Mathis and Freeney are OK, but have combined for just 3.5 road sacks this season. Don't take yesterday's effort to mean the Colts pass rush has suddenly morphed into something fearsome.

Add to that the fact that McNair has not been sacked in his last 176 passing attempts (beginning with his last 12 attempts on 11/19 vs. the Falcons), and I will be very disappointed if they sack McNair more than once.

[WxKevin]

Although their defense was remarkably better against the Chiefs, they were home. You are absolutely correct. My concern in playing them is no more than prior to that game. They have a very good offense but their defense is still their weak point. I still believe the Ravens are better than them.

[RAVENOUS52]

Let's not forget how fresh the legs of our defense-- in particular, our front 7-- will be after our bye week.

I think we'll keep Peyton on the run more than a sprinter with diarrhea...

[camdenyard]

I think we'll keep Peyton on the run more than a sprinter with diarrhea...

Damn Rav, that's a visual I just didn't need after my late night snack!

[RavenDavey]

In fact, in 8 road games, they have registered a whopping 6 sacks for 34 yards. Mathis and Freeney are OK, but have combined for just 3.5 road sacks this season. Don't take yesterday's effort to mean the Colts pass rush has suddenly morphed into something fearsome.

Freeney is the only one that bugs me about this defense. He always seems to play well against Ogden, and has made some moves to beat Jonathon Ogden for sacks. I do like the fact that Ogden is well rested as long as he is near 100% with his toe. I also don't see Freeney having the same impact with Mac9 running the show. Best part is Mac9 has faced the Indy defense twice a season before now.......McNair's first impression against this Indy team will be ..." Hi, I'm Mac9...let me introduce myself" As I beat you down again!

Go RAVENS

[jus10rich]

Indy's sack numbers are down for the simple reason that no one throws against us. When you play indy, all you have to do is run the ball. Only okaland has fewer pass atempts against them. But watch out, if you cant run the ball on us like KC couldn't......You dont have a chance of winning. Our line is too quick and will get to the quarterback.

[Losac]

But watch out, if you cant run the ball on us like KC couldn't......You dont have a chance of winning.
:rolling:

[RAVENOUS52]

He obviously has no clue that our defense is very aggressive when it comes to scoring and are the best at what they do.

[jus10rich]

Actually i do know about your defense. It's the best in the league. What im saying is, if you can't run the ball, and are forced to throw, you play right into the stregth of our defense. Ogden has struggled with Freeney in the past and they will be forced to give him help. That will open it up for the other three lineman and we all know that Mcnair has lost his ability to escape from the pocket when things breakdown, especially against the fastet front seven in football. I look for your defense to give us trouble, too. No question about it. I'm just saying that our pass rush is still as dangerous as it ever has been.

[Losac]

Mcnair has lost his ability to escape from the pocket when things breakdown
Dude, you haven't watched a Ravens game all year have you? Or do you get all your info from the national media talking heads? McNair hasn't been sacked in something like 5 games. He has consistently escaped the pocket and scrambled for first downs. But please keep thinking that as your ignorance continues to show.

[jus10rich]

Ya, he also hasn't played the colts in the past five games either. I was trying to contibute to the "pass rush" conversation. I have made my point. If the Ravens cant gain over 110 yards rushing in this game, you will lose. If you are forced to throw the ball more than 20 times, you will lose and the colts will have at least 2 sacks. WRITE THAT DOWN.

[UKRavenStockers]

Ya, he also hasn't played the colts in the past five games either. I was trying to contibute to the "pass rush" conversation. I have made my point. If the Ravens cant gain over 110 yards rushing in this game, you will lose. If you are forced to throw the ball more than 20 times, you will lose and the colts will have at least 2 sacks. WRITE THAT DOWN.

Hmmm, write that down mode, intriguing, well here's a few that I'd attack if I were gameplanning the Colts (not gonna make sweeping statements that could bite me in the ass, I ain't that dumb):

- Bump Marvin at the line and knock him off his game, doesn't usually take much in any sort of meaningful game.
- Send someone behind Bob Sanders, very good safety when the plays in front of him and he can run downhill to the ball, but get the play behind him chasing deep or put crossing routes on him and he looks like a little boy lost.
- Run right at Indy's ends, if you let them collapse down the line, run right at them and even Pashos should be able to drive them off the ball.
- Chip Dallas Clark all day long, he's coming back from injury still and is soft as a soggy kleenex, if you let him release he's dangerous and finds soft spots very well, but he's about as tough as tissue paper.
- Get blockers to the 2nd level early on, Indy's LBs are soft and I think they're going with Rob Morris for his tackling (awful athlete though), get on their LBs early and we can pretty much keep them out all game.

Basically, if we smack Indy in the mouth early and come out playing tough, physical football and don't get carried away by the emotion of the game (pretty much what we've seen from this team every time they've played off of rest this year) then I think we can land a big ole sucker punch very very early on.

[jus10rich]

Well, UKraven, I would agree with you that if you want to beat the colts, that is exactly what you have to do. And if any team can do it, it would be the ravens. Thats what makes this matchup so great. But its easier said than done. I cant wait to watch this game. Good analysis.

[OldBay]

Spot on... run at Freeney, screen around Freeney, and Force Sanders to cover over the top

This is exactly what everyone was hoping we would do the last time Freeney owned JO. I believe that Billick's playcalling could be the difference in taking Freeney out of the game.

[ravensfan86]

I think if you look at what Freeney has done over the course of his career vs. JO he hasn't exactly dominated him. But he has beat him for a sack or 2 a contest and can be a force off the edge even against a future HOFer in JO. That being said, if the Ravens are patient the yards will be there for Jamal. Also I believe the dink and dunk will be there to move the chains and eat up the clock. We haven't been stopped all year minus Denver and Cinncy. I really don't fear that the Colts D will do to us what they did to KC. They are playing at our house and we will dictate the play. Much like we did against Buffalo. (A very similar and talented front 7). It just requires patience and the calmness of McNair to get it done.

[Mista T]

If the Ravens cant gain over 110 yards rushing in this game, you will lose.

You don't have a clue as to how our offense works. 110 yards is almost irrelevant: much more important is the number of carries, and forcing your already weak defense into playing the run, to facilitate the Ravens short passing game. Time of possession, no sacks, no turnovers is how the Ravens will win.


If you are forced to throw the ball more than 20 times, you will lose and the colts will have at least 2 sacks. WRITE THAT DOWN

Let's see: The Colts have the worst run defense in football, so forcing the Ravens to throw the ball is pie-in-the-sky. The Ravens have surrendered one sack (not a real sack, just a stat) in the last six games; I'd be more concerned about a blizzard arriving at gametime than I would surrendering two sacks.

[Rochardrik]

Freeney is the only one that bugs me about this defense. He always seems to play well against Ogden, and has made some moves to beat Jonathon Ogden for sacks. I do like the fact that Ogden is well rested as long as he is near 100% with his toe. I also don't see Freeney having the same impact with Mac9 running the show. Best part is Mac9 has faced the Indy defense twice a season before now.......McNair's first impression against this Indy team will be ..." Hi, I'm Mac9...let me introduce myself" As I beat you down again!

Go RAVENS

What Freeney did against Ogden when Boller was qb has nothing to do with this game, team, or scheme. McNair is not Boller. He will not run into freeney as he comes around JO, and Freeney will not even begin to be the factor against McNair as he was against Boller. Freeney will at times just spin himself out of the play, at other times Mac will simply side step him! Some Indy fan want to tell me that Indy's pass attack is better than all 13 teams we beat? Someone in Indianoplace is not using his head!!!! Grasping at straws!!!!:rolleyes: :insane:

[highwater]

What im saying is, if you can't run the ball, and are forced to throw, you play right into the stregth of our defense.

I don't think what this guy is saying is all that crazy. However, I do think we will (1) run well enough, and (2) might pass a lot in early downs to set up the run, instead of running on every first and second down like KC did. I thought their game plan was pretty weak. I think we will take a different approach.

[festivus]

I don't think what this guy is saying is all that crazy. However, I do think we will (1) run well enough, and (2) might pass a lot in early downs to set up the run, instead of running on every first and second down like KC did. I thought their game plan was pretty weak. I think we will take a different approach.
Sure, because we have a balanced offense. Our hands are not tied like KC's were.

The IND/KC game was very much like the 2003 playoff game we hosted and lost here to TEN. We were one dimensional, as KC is now. We now have Clayton, Mason, Heap, Williams and Mughelli as receivers who can get tough receiving yards when a first down is needed. KC has Gonzalez and that's it.

Plus all those guys can burn an aggressive run stuffing safety, just ask Troy Polamalu.

[Rochardrik]

Freeney is the only one that bugs me about this defense. He always seems to play well against Ogden, and has made some moves to beat Jonathon Ogden for sacks. I do like the fact that Ogden is well rested as long as he is near 100% with his toe. I also don't see Freeney having the same impact with Mac9 running the show. Best part is Mac9 has faced the Indy defense twice a season before now.......McNair's first impression against this Indy team will be ..." Hi, I'm Mac9...let me introduce myself" As I beat you down again!

Go RAVENS

What Freeney did against Ogden when Boller was qb has nothing to do with this game, team, or scheme. McNair is not Boller. He will not run into freeney as he comes around JO, and Freeney will not even begin to be the factor against McNair as he was against Boller. Some Indy fan want to tell me that Indy's pass attack is better than all 13 teams we beat? Someone in Indianoplace is not using his head!!!! Grasping at straws!!!!:rolleyes: :insane:

[jus10rich]

Well, the only team with better passing numbers than the colts this season was N.O. Saints. You guys did beat them. However, you really can't compare their recievers with ours. Plus a completely different offense. I know you guys are more skilled in the secondary than most teams, but it's asking alot to shut down the colts passing attack for an entire game. i expect the colts to use alot of short underneath routes and use dallas down the middle. i just dont know if you guys can contain all three guys.

[Greg]

He always seems to play well against Ogden,
STOP!

Freeney has 2 career sacks and a couple of other tackles against the Ravens in 2 or 3 games. The night he gave JO fits he got those 2 sacks and let's not forget JO was on a hurt leg and Fassel was calling the plays and preparing the game plan. You can be damn sure Billick will have an answer and JO won't look that bad, which in itself wasn't all that bad.

Freeney will do little, the Ravens will toss up 24 points or more and win.

[COLTSVOLS]

Ya, he also hasn't played the colts in the past five games either. I was trying to contibute to the "pass rush" conversation. I have made my point. If the Ravens cant gain over 110 yards rushing in this game, you will lose. If you are forced to throw the ball more than 20 times, you will lose and the colts will have at least 2 sacks. WRITE THAT DOWN.

Best post I have read so far, and honest...

[sopranocorleone]

Indianapolis' pass rush will have some legs if the Ravens have to pass the ball on every play, and the Colts are playing with a lead. Otherwise, I think the Ravens will mix things up too well on offense to throw the Indianapolis pass-rush off guard.

[Filmstudy]

Originally Posted by jus10rich
Ya, he also hasn't played the colts in the past five games either. I was trying to contibute to the "pass rush" conversation. I have made my point. If the Ravens cant gain over 110 yards rushing in this game, you will lose. If you are forced to throw the ball more than 20 times, you will lose and the colts will have at least 2 sacks. WRITE THAT DOWN.

In joining online discussion about football, it's my desire to engage in an enjoyable discussion about the game. Some folks want to talk about respect, others about tailgating, others about what jerseys they like, crowd noise, or about the team that moved in the middle of the night. It's all good. I enjoy relating what I can see on the field to the numerical results, and it's very difficult for me to take this sort of "analysis" seriously.

I would not bother responding to an obvious yahoo response, but you seem to think you have something of predictive value ("If we throw over 20 times, we will be sacked twice"), so I'm going to examine it.

First, the Ravens threw over 20 times in every single game, with a low of 23 times in the win at NO. I think we can fairly say it's likely to occur again Saturday win or lose.

Do the Colts have a chance to get 2 sacks? Sure, it's a small number, and they did it in 2 of their 8 road games, but I like those odds. Add to that, the facts that:
--McNair has not been sacked in his last 176 pass attempts stretching back to 11/19
--The Ravens allowed the 2nd fewest sacks in the league (17)

I have to conclude that unless the Colts radically change their defense to make use of more 5+ man rushes, it's very unlikely they'll record 2 sacks. Not sure if I would agree it's blizzard unlikely, but MistaT has phrased it well.

[highwater]

Best post I have read so far, and honest...

LOL, what was honest about that post? If the Ravens throw more than 20 times, they'll lose? Sound likes a prediction to me, honesty has nothing to do with it. And as far as predictions go, it doesn't sound very good. The Ravens can EASILY throw more than 20 times and win.

[UKRavenStockers]

In joining online discussion about football, it's my desire to engage in an enjoyable discussion about the game. Some folks want to talk about respect, others about tailgating, others about what jerseys they like, crowd noise, or about the team that moved in the middle of the night. It's all good. I enjoy relating what I can see on the field to the numerical results, and it's very difficult for me to take this sort of "analysis" seriously.

I would not bother responding to an obvious yahoo response, but you seem to think you have something of predictive value ("If we throw over 20 times, we will be sacked twice"), so I'm going to examine it.

First, the Ravens threw over 20 times in every single game, with a low of 23 times in the win at NO. I think we can fairly say it's likely to occur again Saturday win or lose.

Do the Colts have a chance to get 2 sacks? Sure, it's a small number, and they did it in 2 of their 8 road games, but I like those odds. Add to that, the facts that:
--McNair has not been sacked in his last 176 pass attempts stretching back to 11/19
--The Ravens allowed the 2nd fewest sacks in the league (17)

I have to conclude that unless the Colts radically change their defense to make use of more 5+ man rushes, it's very unlikely they'll record 2 sacks. Not sure if I would agree it's blizzard unlikely, but MistaT has phrased it well.

As per usual a pleasure to read your posts filmstudy.

That's some very good analysis on our OL there and really shows how far this line has come in terms of pass blocking this year.

On the Ogden-Freeney matchup I think this game is massive for Ogden's legacy, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be a Hall of Famer, but if the media can construe that he got beat by Freeney three games in a row (Football Outsiders did two very good analyses of the previous two encounters First Game (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/index.php?p=2144) and Second game (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/index.php?p=2888)) then I with the media works I'd fear that that could tarnish JO's career in the way the media remembers him, it would be entirely wrong but if it happens, I could see it being so.

As for the Ogden-Freeney matchup, Freeney hasn't been his all-world pass rusher self this year as he has the last two years and Ogden has been so much better this year than last so I'm confident that he won't need the amount of help we gave him the last two games, hopefully we'll be toasting a Jevon Kearse style shutdown from Ogden on Saturday night.