2013 NFL Wild Card Playoff Picks: Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free NFL Playoff Picks 1/6/2013: Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet in Sunday’s AFC Wild Card matchup when the Indianapolis Colts (11-5) go on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens (10-6). Despite losing four of their final five games, the Ravens won the AFC North, earning them home-field advantage in the opening round. Meanwhile, the Colts closed the year by winning five of their final six games and actually have more wins that Baltimore. As if the playoffs weren’t already enough of a motivating factor, this game also features two of the best storylines. Indianapolis’ coach Chuck Pagano battled cancer during the season and just made his return to the sidelines in the regular season finale. On the flip side, Baltimore’s vocal and emotional leader Ray Lewis just announced that he will be retiring after the year. Needless to say, both teams have a ton to play for Sunday, but armed with home-field advantage and the experience of five straight playoff appearances, the Ravens are seven-point favorites.
The resurgence of Indianapolis can be directly tied to rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. The No. 1 overall pick may not have been the flashiest rookie QB this season, but he threw for a rookie-record 4,374 yards and turned a two-win team from a year ago into an 11-win playoff team this season. The turnaround was the second-best in NFL history, and Luck and company finished with the league’s seventh-best passing attack. Veteran Reggie Wayne was his top target, but the rest of the Indianapolis offense has little experience. In fact, the Colts also start a rookie receiver across from Wayne along with two rookie tight ends and a rookie running back. Defensively, Indianapolis has had its issues. The Colts rank in the middle of the pack in points allowed and outside the top 20 against both the run and the pass.
This season marked a transition in philosophy for Baltimore. Once reliant mainly on a suffocating defense, the Ravens’ offense actually ranked in the top 10 in scoring this season while the defense slipped outside the top 10 in points allowed. Quarterback Joe Flacco leads a passing attack that features possession receiver Anquan Boldin and deep threat Torrey Smith while the steady Ray Rice leads a rushing attack that ranked 11th in the NFL during the regular season. On the flip side, the defense has dealt with multiple injuries, and the unit ranked outside the top 15 against both the run and pass during the year. The aforementioned Lewis plans to make his return this weekend, but the team is still missing its top cornerback while pass rusher Terrell Suggs is playing with any injury.
The Colts Win If:
Indianapolis has been living and dying by Luck all season, and if he has a big game against the banged up Baltimore defense, the Colts have a chance. In particular, Luck needs to continue to connect on big plays in order to take the Baltimore crowd out of the game as much as possible. Defensively, the Colts needs to do everything they can to make sure that Flacco is the player that has to beat them. After all, Baltimore’s QB has never shown that he can lead his team to a playoff win when he has been forced to be the main offensive weapon. If Luck struggles, the Colts are dead in the water. However, Indianapolis’ passing attack is more than capable of outscoring Flacco and company if Luck is on his game.
The Ravens Win If:
Plain and simple, the Ravens need to keep Rice involved in the game plan. For whatever reason, the offensive transition going on in Baltimore has misused the team’s best offensive weapon on numerous occasions. It is probably a great idea to give him the ball as much as possible against any opponent, but against a Colts’ defense ranked 29th against the run, a steady dose of Rice is the best strategy. If Baltimore commits to pounding the ball with Rice, it will not only allow the Ravens to control the pace of the game, but it will allow them to set up big play opportunities off of play action, as well. If Baltimore gets into a shootout where Flacco is trying to outduel Luck, the Ravens may not like the outcome. On the flip side, the Ravens should be on good shape if they ride Rice to the victory.
Bottom Line:
I’m not sure that there is any team entering the playoffs with as many question marks as Baltimore. The offense has seemed to have completely lost its way as the Ravens limped to the finish line. Not to mention the fact that even when the Ravens were firing on all cylinders, they only beat four teams by more than seven points all year. Meanwhile, Luck and company have found their stride, and the Colts’ only losses during their 9-2 finish to the season came at New England and at Houston. The porous Indianapolis defense is a concern and could ultimately cost them this game, but Luck has shown time and time again that he doesn’t get rattled by any situation. The Colts have to be the more confident team and there is no question that they have rallied behind their coach Chuck Pagano. Win or lose, Luck and company will be in this game to the end against a Baltimore team looking for its identity.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts (+7) Cover the Spread
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
Line: Baltimore -6.5
Total: Over/Under 47
Time: 1:00 PM EST on CBS
Check the odds to win 2013 Super Bowl XLVII plus daily NFL vegas odds and lines updated daily throughout the year at NSAwins.com!
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2013 NFL Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN YouWager Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get upto 135% in BONUSES upto $10,000 FREE added to your YouWager Player Account Funds. |
Need Expert Winning NFL Predictions and Picks? Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning NFL Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in NFL Football this season including 2013 NFL Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!