By the Numbers: Ravens vs. Colts – Ryan Mink
16-2
Ravens’ record under Head Coach John Harbaugh in home primetime games, ranking as the NFL’s best such winning percentage (.889). The Ravens have won 14 of their last 15 home primetime games.
4-1
Lamar Jackson’s record in home primetime games, completing 65% of his passes for 818 yards, 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, with 431 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground
26
An NFL-high offensive plays that have gained at least 20 yards by Baltimore. The Ravens seven runs of 20 or more yards also ranks as the NFL’s most, which their 19 20+ yard completions stands as third.
6
Sacks the Ravens got on Colts QB Carson Wentz last season when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, including three by Ravens DE Calais Campbell
Ravens vs. Colts scouting report for Week 5: Who has the edge? – Childs Walker
Ravens running game vs. Colts run defense
The Ravens could not get their running game untracked against the Broncos, who crowded the line of scrimmage and dared Jackson to beat them deep.
Jackson (279 yards, 6.6. yards per carry) was dealing with a sore back going into the Broncos game and carried a season-low seven times for 28 yards. He will face sturdy Colts run defense that held the Ravens to 110 yards on the ground last season.
Leonard leads the way, but defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis and rookie defensive end Kwity Paye (who’s battling an ankle injury) have also played well against the run. The Colts limited the Dolphins to 35 rushing yards after allowing 180 the previous week in a loss to Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
The Ravens found an effective formula in Denver, mixing punishing defense with a big-strike offense that took advantage of the Broncos’ fixation on stopping the run. The Colts are also coming off their best all-around performance, but they’ll be playing on the road for the third straight week, and it’s not clear Wentz is the man to go play-for-play with Jackson. The Ravens will kick off their long homestand with a workmanlike victory. Ravens 30, Colts 20.
Ravens first-and-10: Key matchups and storylines for Week 5 vs. the Colts, plus a prediction – Jeff Zrebiec
Offensive tackle play has been one of the biggest issues for the Ravens and the Colts and how those groups perform for their teams could go a long way in deciding Monday’s game. With left tackle Ronnie Stanley continuing to be sidelined, the Ravens have been relying on Alejandro Villanueva at left tackle and Patrick Mekari, who had been slated for a reserve interior role, at right tackle. However, Villanueva went out with a knee injury against the Broncos and didn’t practice much this week. If he can’t go, the Ravens would likely be forced to start either Andre Smith or David Sharpe, who are currently on the practice squad. The Colts, meanwhile, badly miss standout right tackle Braden Smith. They’ve used Julien Davenport at right tackle while starting Eric Fisher at left side. The Ravens’ tackles will have a little more margin of error Monday, given Jackson’s mobility.
Prediction
Ravens 27, Colts 21
Count me among those who think the Colts will prove a stiffer test for the Ravens than many pundits think. The Colts are well coached and present problems offensively with their use of running backs and tight ends, and they have a fast defense with a couple of elite players who can wreck a game plan. The Ravens have a better overall roster and, of course, a more dynamic quarterback. They’re also at home, and that carries weight, particularly in prime time. The bet is the Ravens will force a key turnover or two and that will prove to be the difference in a game that should be relatively close.
Ravens Depth at Running Back, Wide Receiver Is ‘Good Problem’ – Todd Karpovich
“Without question, that’s a really good problem to have,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “You have good problems and bad problems; I like the good ones. So, that’s definitely going to be a consideration as well. As the roster gets put together for a game, there’s defense, there’s special teams, [and] there are a lot of things that go into that. So, the bottom line is for us, really, everybody in that locker room, we have to count on all of them. Because at some point, it could be every week, it could be 14 weeks, 12 weeks, 10 weeks or five weeks – they all have to help the team win.”
“A lot of different things, but we want to keep guys fresh, too – that’s one thing. I definitely wouldn’t read too much into that, either,” Roman said. “We like all of them. They all have slightly different styles. I think we’re really starting to learn more about each one, and that’s a big part of it, really, and give each and everybody opportunities. Getting four running backs up for a game, that’s hard to do.
“But I think they’re all worthy of it. Le’Veon [Bell] played last week. I thought he played really well in a lot of areas [and] maximized every opportunity he got. But we’re continuing to learn and work through that – that’s the exciting part.”
50 Words or Less – John Eisenberg
Beginning Monday night against the Colts, a run of four straight home games gives the Ravens a chance to stack wins. But they have injuries and NFL home teams have a .476 winning percentage in 2021. Stuff happens. I’d avoid greedy expectations. A 3-1 homestand bolsters the Ravens’ playoff chances.
My hunch is Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins will continue to get the most snaps after Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin return and the Ravens have six quality wide receivers vying for playing time. I’m hoping James Proche II and Devin Duvernay don’t get lost just when they’re becoming productive.
It’s already a lock that Lamar Jackson is the Ravens’ MVP in 2021. But when compiling a list of candidates for “Best Supporting Actor,” you can’t leave out Anthony Averett, whose solid play as a starting cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey has helped ease the sting of losing Marcus Peters.
Bradley Bozeman is another “Best Supporting Actor” candidate. If the first four games are any measure, his switch from guard to center is a roaring success. Pro Football Focus currently rates Bozeman as the fourth-best center in the league, earning higher grades than he ever did as a guard.