With so much parity in the National Football League, there are never any real trap games, but with two AFC North contests looming, Baltimore will look to avoid a letdown against a battered Colts team on Sunday.
The Ravens return home undefeated after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and they’ll look to start 3-0 with a win over the improving Indianapolis Colts.
Buy Ravens TicketsShane Steichen’s ball club will be without rookie starting quarterback Anthony Richardson and veteran center Ryan Kelly, but they are well-coached and provide matchup problems.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are five keys to a Ravens victory on Sunday.
Keep the main thing the main thing
It’s a quote borrowed from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, but the goal is always to treat every opponent equally.
Baltimore has AFC North matchups with the Browns and Steelers looming but can ill-afford to look past a battered Colts team.
Indianapolis won’t have starting quarterback Anthony Richardson (concussion) and standout running back Jonathan Taylor (physically unable to perform list).
Still, Gardner Minshew is considered one of the league’s better backup quarterbacks. The Colts have a talented offensive line, and crazy things can happen.
Manage the weather
No the Ravens can’t control the weather, but they can scheme and gameplan for an afternoon of ball-control football with a tropical storm looming.
.@JustinWeather says #Ravens game likely to see moderate rain but not as strong winds as the area sees today. pic.twitter.com/D9yPSvuTD5
— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) September 23, 2023
Attack Indianapolis down field
Indianapolis ranks 29th in passing yards allowed per game and 28th in passing yards per attempt.
Even with Odell Beckham ruled out, there should be plenty of opportunities for Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and Mark Andrews to make big plays in the passing game.
Feed Gus Edwards
With Justice Hill ruled out and J.K. Dobbins on IR, Edwards gets a prime opportunity to put his overall talent on display.
The hard-running, one-cut-and-go style running back should flourish in Todd Monken’s offense.
Contain Deforrest Buckner
With left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum ruled out, backup left tackle Patrick Mekari and backup center Sam Mustipher played well in the win over Cincinnati while helping Baltimore amass 178 rushing yards.
With Stanley and Linderbaum missing a second straight game, Mekari and Mustipher will face Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who has a sack in each of the Colts’ first two games, defensive tackle Grover Stewart, who is an underrated player and edge rusher Kwity Paye, a 2021 first-round pick, who has logged two sacks on the season.
