So we meet again… Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts Playoff Preview

Ladies and Gentlemen we are right in the middle of the NFL playoffs and it is only going to get better. This Saturday night the Indianapolis Colts will be taking on the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas oil Stadium, this will be there second meeting this season. If you remember Indy won the first meeting, 17-15 where the defense for the Colts had a big turnover at the end of the game. I assume that this meeting will be no different between the two teams, Indy finished the season losing their last two ballgames (with the starters sitting most of that time); the Ravens were fighting just to get into the playoffs and hammered the New England Patriots in the first round of the playoffs last week. So Baltimore is ready and Indianapolis is anxious to hit the field on Saturday night.

Key match-ups:

Indianapolis- Are they in game ready shape

Baltimore - Can they ride the momentum

For Baltimore, they are ready to play football as seen in New England. The big plan for Baltimore is, run Ray run, they will be looking to have Ray Rice run the ball as he did last week. If they can run the ball against the Indy defense that will help setup Flacco for the passing game to be effective. The Ravens must ride the wave of intensity they showed in New England.

For Indianapolis, it will be to start the game making sure they have their rhythm, a couple of short passes here and there and at least a couple of carries for the running game to set up the play action pass. Now we all know that Manning will be ready to go, but for the rookies this will be their first playoff experience so we will see how the young guns handle the pressure.

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Keys to the Game:

Indianapolis - Finding the holes in Baltimore’s D and no turnovers

Baltimore - Getting a lead and keeping Manning and the Colts offense off the field

We all know that Indy’s game is all about passing when Manning and the offense are on the field they look to pass first and then run, if they can find the holes in the zone and complete the passes in rhythm and run the ball just enough to set up play action it could be a long day for Baltimore’s defense. I am sure that this week Manning has been teaching his young wide outs like crazy with film sessions and on-field practices.

Baltimore just like last week must get a lead against Indy, that will help set up the running game for Rice and McGahee. The Ravens will rely on their offensive line to help protect Flacco from the two of the best defensive ends in football Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. If they can establish the run and keep Flacco’s uniform clean the Ravens could come out on top.

This will be a fun match-up; I expect much of the same from the first meeting of these two teams. We will see if Indy can shake the rocky times they have experienced in the playoffs in previous years, we know Manning will be ready to make things happen for Indianapolis; this should be a great game. Check back later next week for the recap of this playoff game here at profootball-fans.com.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent