2 key things for the Colts game

[Fanman]

I see these 2 stats being MAJOR factors in which team wins:

1. Red Zone TD conversion %:
I believe the Colts are around 56%...we are worst of all the playoff teams at 42%. We can NOT settle for FGs vs a team like the Colts.

2. Field position
I can see the defense stopping the Colts for a WHILE...but not the entire game. When we do stop them we must take advantage of the field position. This has been a major problem since Sams got hurt.

Thoughts,

FM

[Ravens0587]

I honestly think this game will come down to which team scores more then the other.

but what do i know?

[festivus]

I want to see a successful pass rush without blitzes. If we can reach Manning only rushing 4 then we should be able to contain them with the occasional turnover.

Our touchdowns will come. Fresh legs for everyone, remember. . .
[fingers crossed]

[ravenwoman]

I think the keys to the game are:

1. Ravens score early and maintain the lead throughout the game.
2. Rush and Sack Manning. Hit him hard. Hurt him if you have to. He is very ineffective, when he is running scared.
3. The offense needs long drives, like 6 to 7 minutes long. No 3 and outs for
the offense.
4. The running game has to gain over 75 yards. If Jamal can't get it done, put in Mike Anderson.

[Racin' Raven]

Generating a rush with minimal blitzes will be a key. I saw PJ Loserman be fairly sucessful early with quick slants, and saw the Indys do the same early against KC. If we can negate that option by only rushing 4 or 5 and keeping people back, I think we win fairly comfortably. Addai will be a non factor, and Peyton may become frustrated. If that happens, it'll be over.

PS: "Pity the Fool" that dares to wear blue & white to the vault.

[RavensFanIAm]

As long as the Ravens stay in a 3-4 defense, they will confuse Peyton and test him often. Everyone knows that he doesn't do well against 3-4 defenses.

I think this game needs to be a running back-by-committee, using Jamal, Mike and Ovie. I think that makes it harder for the Colts D to stop just one player.

This is not the same team we had when they played Week 1 of last year. Scott wasn't a starter, Ngata wasn't here and the Boller/Wright combo was disasterous. We'll be up to the challenge

[highwater]

Take the lead and make them play from behind.

Pressure on Manning.

Win the turnover battle (although you can pretty much say that about every game, I really think it will be especially key here. Taking an early lead will likely help in this regard. Make them try to catch up to us, not the other way around).

Extraordinarly loud crowd noise. :thumbup:

[festivus]

> I think this game needs to be a running back-by-committee, using
> Jamal, Mike and Ovie.
I find it surprising to hear people say this even still. Do people not remember how poorly we did with a running back by committee with Jim Fassell as OC?

The thing about Jamal Lewis is, he *can* be caught at the line of scrimmage, but the defense has to devote defenders to doing it, because though you can catch him, you still have to tackle him, which takes a few bodies. So we don't get massive rushing yards, but we do force the hand of the opposing defensive coordinator, and by getting the strong safety's attention in our backfield we help the passing game.

Usual disclaimers about being an armchair quarterback apply, but that's how I see what's happened this season. Also RavensFanIAm I'm not trying to pick on you, I've heard others say the same thing.

[OwingsMillsAlex]

We control Manning we control the game. Simple.

[Fanman]

I'm not too worried about the defense keeping Manning in check. I am worried about the offense being able to generate points. The performance vs Buffalo was less than comforting.

FM

[Greg]

I want to see a successful pass rush without blitzes.
That isn't likely to happen, they have a very good OL. We will need to send 5 on most occasions. They key will be mixing it up so they never know which 5 are on the way. This is why having AD, Suggs, Scott, Pryce' Ray, Reed, Landry and even the CBs we have is key. Any of those guys can be back in coverage or rushing the QB. Hell, even Ngata has dropped off in zone on occasion. The key will be to make him rush just a little and confuse him with the coverage.

[skaybaltimore]

As long as the Ravens stay in a 3-4 defense, they will confuse Peyton and test him often. Everyone knows that he doesn't do well against 3-4 defenses.

I think we need to disguise our D-schemes as much as possible, and NOT allow Manning to get a clue as to what we are throwing at him. Also, we need to stuff Addai and Rhodes, keep AD on Clarke, keep an eye on Utech, and give Rolle whatever help he needs to try to prevent getting beat deep.

From what I've seen of Manning this year, if our D can't punish him and his offense, then there's something very wrong. Our D is for real; he's been doing a lot of smoke and mirrors this year, like the "win" against KC. Indy hasn't really dominated anyone this year. And Manning has proven to be even less effective in the post season. He is a choker, and our D needs to put their feet on his throat (figuratively, not literally) and not let up for 4 quarters.

The only question I have is how well our D will perform against the no huddle. In the past, the inability to get the right personnel in seems to have hurt us; it's really the only time I've ever seen our D look out of sync.


I think this game needs to be a running back-by-committee, using Jamal, Mike and Ovie. I think that makes it harder for the Colts D to stop just one player.I've been saying this for quite some time now. I hope BB really understands how important this is. It seems as if he's been involving Ovie more; I'd like to see him extend that to Mike also.


This is not the same team we had when they played Week 1 of last year. Scott wasn't a starter, Ngata wasn't here and the Boller/Wright combo was disasterous. We'll be up to the challengeWhat about Landry, Pryce, Kock, & D-Will? Last year's team isn't even a shell of this year's team. 6-10 vs. 13-3 isn't hype. These Ravens are for real; the Colts are the smoke and mirrors team, IMO.

GO RAVENS!!! (41-0 when +2 in turnovers)

[UKRaven]

12th man is all we can REALLY do - make it loud then lets the players sort it!

[festivus]

> running back-by-committee, using Jamal, Mike and Ovie.
This is what we did when Fassel was calling the plays. We've had much more success on offense using Jamal as the primary back, mixing in the others only occasionally, because the presence of Jamal forces them to commit defenders to run support.

[PurpleRulz]

I'll tell you what the key to this game is: the forgotten one: STEVE McNair and our passing game. It seems as if he is forgotten this week, by the media, fans, ex. as a factor.

This bye week works to our advantage as the Colts defense is feeling good about themselves in stopping LJ. The truth is that was all the Chiefs had to offer and all the Colts defense had to focus on. As LJ even said, "We (the Chiefs) played as if we had no back up plan."

As a result, the Colts defense is going to come in here focusing on stopping Jamal (and I hope they stack the box with 8 guys). Steve McNair has, at times, used the passing game to set up the run this year. Don't be surprised if we start out the game with a couple of passing plays to spread out the Colts before going to the run.

No one is talking about McNair, and this will give us a huge advantage. If the Colts solely focus on our running game, they will get hurt badly.

[Purplenemesis]

> running back-by-committee, using Jamal, Mike and Ovie.
This is what we did when Fassell was calling the plays. We've had much more success on offense using Jamal as the primary back, mixing in the others only occasionally, because the presence of Jamal forces them to commit defenders to run support.

Although when Fassel was the coordinator we didn't put the ball in Ovie's hands very often. With Billick taken over Ovie has been rushing and recieving on occasion. We have all seen Ovie rush and he is a wrecking ball. I think getting the ball to him on a few occasions will give the previously struggling Colts defense one more variable to key in on. If we learned anything from the Colts Vs Chiefs game its that we cant have a predictable gameplan. Getting the ball to many different players should confuse there D and we will be able to rack up more yards on them.

[highwater]

Don't be surprised if we start out the game with a couple of passing plays to spread out the Colts before going to the run.

I would be surprised if we don't start the game like this -- I really think that we will set up the run by passing a lot on first down. The Chiefs were pitifully one-dimensional last week, but I think we will try to keep the Colts D off balance by mixing passing and running plays.

[RAVENOUS52]

As always, our ability to avoid and create turnovers, as well as penalties, will be key.

Simple, really.

[skaybaltimore]

Speaking of penalties, I hope Suggs doesn't get so pumped up by all the intensity that he blows another gasket -- this game is just too important.

GO RAVENS!!! (41-0 when +2 in turnovers)

[RAVENOUS52]

Suggs will be an asset, not a detriment in this game.

He only blows his gasket on the road, it seems.

[RustonRifle]

If the the Raven Defense can get in Peytons grill , get a few shots and make him uncomfortable. Game over.

[COLTSVOLS]

I'll tell you what the key to this game is: the forgotten one: STEVE McNair and our passing game. It seems as if he is forgotten this week, by the media, fans, ex. as a factor.

This bye week works to our advantage as the Colts defense is feeling good about themselves in stopping LJ. The truth is that was all the Chiefs had to offer and all the Colts defense had to focus on. As LJ even said, "We (the Chiefs) played as if we had no back up plan."

As a result, the Colts defense is going to come in here focusing on stopping Jamal (and I hope they stack the box with 8 guys). Steve McNair has, at times, used the passing game to set up the run this year. Don't be surprised if we start out the game with a couple of passing plays to spread out the Colts before going to the run.

No one is talking about McNair, and this will give us a huge advantage. If the Colts solely focus on our running game, they will get hurt badly.


McNair's favorite receivers this weekend will be Bob Sanders, Jason David and Nick Harper each will have a pick!!!
GO COLTS!

[UKRavenStockers]

McNair's favorite receivers this weekend will be Bob Sanders, Jason David and Nick Harper each will have a pick!!!
GO COLTS!

Jason David! :rolling:

Never fail to laugh at that, Only Fools and Horses. :laugh:

[Sports Steve]

It's a given our defense will perform well.

I want to see Jamal Lewis have a big day and keep Manning off the field so we can build up the score.

:jester: :jester:

[festivus]

Sports Steve I agree 100%. I think he's having a big day if he has 80 - 90 yards but by his *presence alone* opens up the passing game, which I believe is what he's done since BB took over the play calling.

Jamal Lewis' 2006 season is defined for me by what he's given to the team, not by his yards per carry. He has been a huge contributor without putting up huge numbers.

This one's for Jamal Lewis this year: :ww:

[Fanman]

I am not sold on the Ravens beibg able to run the ball vs the Colts. KC has a much better run attack compared to ours and had no success at all.

If SM can get a passing game going early, I think that can open up the run some. I also think we need to stretch the field and take shots deep early.

FM

[festivus]

I am not sold on the Ravens beibg able to run the ball vs the Colts. KC has a much better run attack compared to ours and had no success at all.

Yes because KC has no passing attack. That's what I'm saying, force teams to defend the run so we can pass. Eventually our running attack will have netted us 120 - 130 yards, maybe 85 of which will be Jamal's, but our *commitment* to the run will have kept passing lanes open as the Indy defense must make sure Jamal does not break into the open field. That is a successful day rushing for us.

My favorite running play is off-tackle left out of the I formation. This play is not meant to be a surprise for the defense. This is the play where JO might as well tell Dwight Freeney, "We are running off left tackle. I will put my hand in your chest, Jason Brown will step into the nose tackle. Ovie Mughelli will take care of whatever linebacker finds the hole, and Jamal will hit your precious safety so hard he falls over backward. The snap count is 3. Ready, set," ***BOOM***

Three and a half yards, but man it must get tiring for the defense. I love it.

I'm getting chills waiting for this game. . . .

[corvuscorax]

I honestly think this game will come down to which team scores more then the other.

but what do i know?:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

Thank you for this bit of levity in an otherwise Insane week!