OK Guys, lets get this going....

[thaikarate1]

Who will it be tonight?

Indy or Baltimore?

Indy -3 and O/U 44.5

O/u is a little high. Any thoughts?

[frankb03]

I didn't play it. I like Baltimore.

[Tigger]

Like the Under right now, not finalized though

~~~ Tigger

[thaikarate1]

Indy was very inconsistence during the pre-season. Baltimore was very impressive on Defense.

[thaikarate1]

(Sports Network) - Call it a cliche' if you like, but Sunday night's battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium figures to be a classic case of the immovable object against the unstoppable force.

The Baltimore Ravens, who field perhaps the best-respected defense in the league, represent the immovable object. With elite-level playmakers like middle linebacker Ray Lewis, free safety Ed Reed, pass rusher Terrell Suggs and cornerback Chris McAlister, Brian Billick's squad makes its living on defense, without making any apologies.

But the Ravens' task in their opener is a tall one indeed.

Galloping into Charm City are the Colts and their high-octane offense, led by incomparable quarterback Peyton Manning and a star-studded supporting cast that includes wideouts Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley, along with one of the league's top running backs, Edgerrin James.

SERIES HISTORY

The Colts have a 3-2 edge in their all-time series with the Ravens, including two straight victories. Indianapolis was a 20-10 home winner over Baltimore in 2004, and edged the Ravens by a 22-20 count at the RCA Dome in 2002. The Ravens, who have won both all-time meetings with the Colts in Baltimore, defeated Indianapolis by a 39-27 count in 2001.

Indy coach Tony Dungy is 3-0 all-time against the Ravens, including a win while he was at the helm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. Baltimore's Billick is 1-2 against Indianapolis in his career, and is 0-3 head-to-head against Dungy.

The Colts franchise called Baltimore home from 1953 through the 1983 season.

COLTS OFFENSE VS. RAVENS DEFENSE

Manning (4557 passing yards, 49 TD, 10 INT) was the NFL's MVP in 2004, when he set the NFL single-season record for touchdown passes. Basically all of Manning's '04 arsenal returns intact, with receivers Harrison (86 receptions, 15 TD), Wayne (77 receptions, 12 TD) and Stokley (68 receptions, 10 TD) all coming off huge seasons. Stokley missed the preseason with a shoulder injury, but is listed as probable for Sunday night. The one major change is at tight end, where Marcus Pollard (29 receptions, 6 TD) has taken his act to Detroit and Dallas Clark (25 receptions, 5 TD) has been thrust into the spotlight. Taking over Clark's former role as the No. 2 tight end is Ben Hartsock, who had four catches as a rookie last year. Manning is basically unsackable, due mostly to his quick release. But Manning's line is underrated, and returns five players with extensive starting experience.

The Ravens put six defensive backs on the field for much of their game against the Colts last year, and will probably employ a similar strategy this time around. Cornerbacks Chris McAlister (42 tackles, 1 INT) and Samari Rolle (28 tackles, 1 INT with the Titans) will be joined often by veterans Dale Carter and Deion Sanders (8 tackles, 3 INT), with Reed (76 tackles, 9 INT) and strong safety Will Demps (85 tackles, 1 INT) lending assistance as well. Carter, a four-time Pro Bowler, has not played since 2003 due to a blood clot in his lungs. Following the switch to the 4-3, former outside linebacker Suggs (10.5 sacks) will play in more of a traditional end role, with Anthony Weaver (39 tackles, 4 sacks) poised for a breakout year on the other side. Baltimore had 39 sacks a year ago.

James (1548 rushing yards, 51 receptions, 9 TD) had a huge year in 2004, managing to stay healthy for the entire season and earning his first Pro Bowl citation since 2000. The running back, who rushed 22 times for 69 yards against Baltimore last year, will attempt to take the pressure off of Manning with some big runs. Dominic Rhodes (254 rushing yards, 1 TD) has been a reliable backup to James, and James Mungro (7 receptions, 3 TD) is a fixture at fullback.

The switch to the 4-3 was done mainly to accommodate Lewis (146 tackles, 1 sack), who is more productive in the scheme. Lewis will be joined on the strong side by the underrated Adalius Thomas (72 tackles, 8 sacks), and former Ram and Baltimore native Tommy Polley (78 tackles, 2 sacks with St. Louis) will take over on the weak side. In order to consistently stop James, Baltimore will need a big effort from defensive tackles Kelly Gregg (60 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Maake Kemoeatu (27 tackles), who are both holdovers. The Ravens were eighth in the league against the run last year, and allowed only three runs of 20 yards or more.

RAVENS OFFENSE VS. COLTS DEFENSE

The heart of the Ravens offense is running back Jamal Lewis (1006 rushing yards, 7 TD), who battled ankle problems in 2004 and served a two-game suspension following a conviction on drug-related charges. Lewis rushed 20 times for 130 yards in last season's loss to Indianapolis. Backup Chester Taylor (714 rushing yards, 30 receptions, 2 TD) played well in place of Lewis last year, and received most of the work in the preseason as Lewis was recovering from a bone spur in his foot. Alan Ricard (11 receptions) begins his fourth season as Baltimore's primary fullback. The Ravens were ninth in NFL rushing offense last season.

The task of slowing Lewis will fall to an Indianapolis defense that ranked 24th in the league against the run last year. The Colts added defensive tackle Corey Simon (32 tackles, 5.5 sacks with the Eagles) at the end of the preseason in an effort to help reverse that trend, but Simon might receive only limited work in his first game with Indianapolis. Larry Tripplett (28 tackles) and Montae Reagor (41 tackles, 5 sacks) are the likely candidates to start at the tackle slots. Dungy hopes to see some immediate production from middle linebacker Gary Brackett (36 tackles), who was promoted from a backup role in the offseason. The holdovers at linebacker are Cato June (110 tackle,s 2 INT) and David Thornton (92 tackles, 1 INT), who were 1-2 on the club in stops last season.

All of M&T Bank Stadium will be focused on the play of quarterback Kyle Boller (2559 passing yards, 13 TD, 11 INT), who has yet to come into his own as an NFL signal-caller. Boller has a new offensive coordinator, former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, and has new weapons at his disposal in receivers Derrick Mason (96 receptions, 7 TD with Tennessee) and rookie Mark Clayton (Oklahoma). Clarence Moore (24 receptions, 4 TD), who played in well in spots as a rookie, gives Baltimore a jump ball threat. Boller was hampered last year by the absence of tight end Todd Heap (27 receptions, 3 TD), a former Pro Bowler who sat out 10 games with ankle problems. There are changes on the line, where Mike Flynn moves from guard to the starting center role and former Steeler Keydrick Vincent will get the start at right guard. Baltimore finished a distant 31st in the league in passing offense last season.

Boller will try to take advantage of a beleaguered Indianapolis secondary, one that will be playing a couple of new starters in strong safety Joseph Jefferson (30 tackles, 1 INT) and free safety Bob Sanders (34 tackles). Jefferson is starting in place of Mike Doss, who is serving a two-game suspension following an offseason conviction on misdemeanor drug charges. The cornerbacks will be Nick Harper (77 tackles, 3 INT) and Donald Strickland (20 tackles), with Strickland coming off a year in which he missed the final 12 games due to a shoulder injury. The strength of the Indy defense is its pass rush, with ends Dwight Freeney (16 tackles), Robert Mathis (10.5 sacks) and Raheem Brock (6.5 sacks) all causing fits to opposing QBs. The Colts were among the league leaders with 45 sacks last season, two of which came against Boller.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Baltimore defense will again be among the best in the league, but it may take a while for the altered scheme to run with peak efficiency under its new coordinator, Rex Ryan. Manning was able to goad the Ravens into a couple of mistakes last season, and he will do the same this year. Baltimore will run the ball well behind Lewis, but Boller won't come close to matching the exploits of his counterpart on the other side of the field.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Colts 28, Ravens 24

[illjaunt]

colts win this game

[thaikarate1]

Maybe, but will they cover?

[Luv2Play2]

M.lawrence Has A 4 * Ply On Balt.. Ill Take Indy..

[frankb03]

M.lawrence Has A 4 * Ply On Balt.. Ill Take Indy..

Me 2

Loser Lawrence is the worst of the worst.

[moondog22]

I'm on the fade, Colts

[synch22]

with all the talk about how bad the ravens Oline has been this pre season.. think cots are the play they will score a few times, cant say the same for Baltimore

Im on the colts

Nice comeback by the gmen

[thaikarate1]

Ok Guys, I am going with the over 44.5

Seem like all the evening games has been over, except for the Packers.

Lets stick with the trend. Bad way to bet, but what the hell. Had a winning day so far.

GL guys.