The Indianapolis Colts have been a thorn in the side of the
Baltimore Ravens over the past 10 years, but the team has shown this season
that it has much less of a bite without Peyton Manning under center.

Involved in a tight race atop the AFC North, Baltimore will look to take
advantage of the Colts’ woes this Sunday and win a franchise-record ninth
straight game at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens have won all six of their home outings in 2011 and have taken 16 of
their last 17 games as the hosting club. Their success at home this year has
helped them post a 9-3 record, good enough for a tie with Pittsburgh, Houston
and New England for the best in the AFC entering this week’s play. The Steelers
will own a half-game edge on the pack heading into Sunday’s games, however,
after defeating Cleveland on Thursday.

A win over the Colts would also place the Ravens back into a first-place tie
with the Steelers in the AFC North, but Baltimore owns the tie-breaker edge
thanks to a pair of triumphs over Pittsburgh this season. Both teams are coming
off Week 13 victories, with Baltimore running its current win streak to three
straight with a 24-10 victory at Cleveland last Sunday.

The Ravens used their ground game to keep the Browns in check, attempting a
franchise-record 55 rushes. Ray Rice got the bulk of the work and set a career
high with 204 yards rushing and also scored once.

“I have to give it all to my offensive line,” Rice said about his performance.
“I think it was my first 200-yard game. It felt good to get it against a
divisional opponent.”

Baltimore’s fifth victory in six games was also big from a mental standpoint,
as it had lost three road games this year against teams that were under .500 at
the time of the meeting. Two of those defeats followed wins over the Steelers,
but the Ravens were up to the task against a struggling team last weekend.

“We know we control our own destiny,” Rice said. “Regardless of who we play,
we’ve got to take care of business.”

Baltimore is aiming to reach 10-3 for just the second time in franchise
history, joining the 2006 squad, and snap an eight-game slide to Indianapolis
that includes the postseason. The Ravens haven’t beaten the Colts since Dec.
2, 2001.

The Colts would normally be a big test for the Ravens, but they haven’t given
any teams much trouble in 2011. Indianapolis has yet to win in 12 games and is
off to its worst start since beginning the 1986 season 0-13.

Indianapolis was a huge underdog last weekend versus New England and trailed by
28 points late in the third quarter before Dan Orlovsky helped engineer three
fourth-quarter touchdown drives in his first start at quarterback since Dec.
28, 2008 with Detroit.

Orlovsky threw a pair of touchdown passes, but the Colts still fell to 0-6 on
the road this season after the 31-24 loss. Orlovsky, taking over for a
struggling Curtis Painter under center, will get the start again this weekend.

“He played pretty well,” Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell said about
Orlovsky. “Obviously, that’s one thing that is quite evident and he certainly,
I think, did a nice job all around — in the running game and in the passing
game and just moving the ball. He was very poised out there. You’re going to
see him again.”

SERIES HISTORY

The Colts own a 7-2 advantage in their overall regular-season series with the
Ravens, the most recent being a 17-15 triumph at M&T Bank Stadium in 2009. The
Colts also topped the Ravens in Baltimore, the city the franchise had resided
in from 1953-83 before moving to Indianapolis, in both 2005 (24-7) and 2007
(44-20) in addition to a 31-3 rout at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008.

Indianapolis has also defeated the Ravens twice in postseason play, including
a 15-6 decision at M&T Bank Stadium in a 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff en route
to a Super Bowl title. The Colts also bested Baltimore by a 20-3 count in a
2009 Divisional Round game held in Indiana, with Indianapolis reaching the
Super Bowl that year as well.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is winless in three lifetime matchups with the
Colts, which includes the 2009 playoff loss, while Caldwell is 2-0 against
Baltimore and in head-to-head encounters with Harbaugh as a head coach.

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Orlovsky (475 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) is the third quarterback given the
task of replacing Manning (4700 passing yards, 33 TD, 17 INT in 2010)
this year. When it was learned that a neck injury would keep the Colts’
franchise signal-caller on the sidelines, the club added Kerry Collins before
he was lost for the season early on. Painter (1541 passing yards, 6 TD, 9 INT)
then took over and was less than impressive, leading to Caldwell giving
Orlovsky a shot last week. With the journeyman under center, Indianapolis’
29th-ranked offense put up 437 total yards and Colts receivers combined for a
season-high 21 catches. Orlovsky himself set career highs with 30 completions
and 353 passing yards, finding wide receiver Pierre Garcon (55 receptions, 6
TD) twice for touchdowns while also getting intercepted once. Garcon logged
career bests with nine receptions and 150 yards, fellow wideout Austin Collie
(38 receptions) added seven grabs for 70 yards and Reggie Wayne (52 receptions,
2 TD) chipped in with five receptions for 55 yards. Perhaps Orlovsky is what
this talented group of receivers, which also includes tight end Jacob Tamme (16
receptions), going. Running backs Donald Brown (397 rushing yards, 4 TD) and
Joseph Addai (319 rushing yards, 1 TD) nearly split 27 carries against New
England and accounted for 80 of the Colts’ 99 rushing yards, while Brown
also scored a touchdown.

Orlovsky was sacked twice a week ago and figures to be under fire again this
Sunday against the league’s third-ranked defense. Baltimore is giving up just
287.3 yards per game and ranks second versus the run, while its 16.0 points
allowed per game also ranks third. The Ravens allowed the Browns to post only
233 yards of offense last weekend, and all but two of Cleveland’s possessions
came to an end with either a punt or a turnover. The bulk of the pressure on
Orlovsky should come from outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (53 tackles, 10
sacks, 2 INT), who had one of Baltimore’s three sacks a week ago as he reached
double-digits for the fourth time in his career. Suggs also ranks second in
the AFC in sacks, and the Ravens as a team are first in the NFL with 41 despite
linebacker Ray Lewis (68 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) missing the past three games
with a toe injury. He may return this week, but if not expect linebackers
Jameel McClain (63 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Dannell Ellerbe (14 tackles) to
step up in the veteran’s absence. The two had seven tackles each versus the
Browns, while rookie defensive end Pernell McPhee (20 tackles, 6 sacks) logged
a pair of sacks. Rookie corner Jimmy Smith (6 tackles, 2 INT) also picked off a
pass and of course, the Colts must keep their eye on safety Ed Reed (40
tackles, 1 sack, 3 INT) as well.

WHEN THE RAVENS HAVE THE BALL

The Ravens have been using a balanced attack this season to rank sixth in the
league in points per game (24.7), but went run-heavy at Cleveland last weekend.
Rice (926 rushing yards, 56 receptions, 11 total TD), who also leads the team
in catches, rushed the ball 29 times and ripped off a 67-yard run while
averaging seven yards a carry. In an effort not to wear down their small back,
the Ravens also gave Ricky Williams (338 rushing yards, 2 TD) 16 carries, and
he responded with 76 yards and a touchdown as Baltimore finished the game with
290 yards on the ground, almost 200 over their season average of 114.8 per
week. With all that ground work, quarterback Joe Flacco (2895 passing yards, 13
TD, 8 INT) didn’t have much to do. He completed 10 of his 23 passes for 158
yards and was sacked once without an interception. Baltimore as a team has
given up only three sacks in the past four games, however. Even with limited
chances, wideout Anquan Boldin (50 receptions, 3 TD) made a pair of catches for
32 yards last week to reach 700 career receptions. Tight end Ed Dickson (46
receptions, 3 TD led the way against Cleveland with three receptions and 47
yards, while rookie wide receiver and deep threat Torrey Smith (32 receptions,
5 TD) made a 32-yard grab.

The Colts rank dead last in the NFL with an average of 29.8 points allowed per
game, and their meeting with the Patriots did little to help that fact. Indy is
also giving up 144.2 yards per game on the ground, 30th in the league. The
Colts did outgain the Pats a week ago, but New England still put up 362 yards
of offense, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing for 289 yards with a pair of
touchdowns. The Ravens aren’t likely to deploy the same strategy, but when
Flacco drops back he’ll be facing two of the game’s best ends in Dwight Freeney
(15 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and Robert Mathis (30 tackles, 5.5 sacks). Neither was
much of a factor versus the Pats, but the two have combined for 77 sacks in
their last 57 games. Freeney, meanwhile, remained a half-sack shy of 100 for
his career and would be the 26th player to reach that mark. With the two pass
rushers shut down, defensive tackle Fili Moala (15 tackles) logged his first
career sack. Safety Antoine Bethea (102 tackles) led the club with nine tackles
against New England, while outside linebacker Ernie Sims (31 tackles) added
eight and counterpart Philip Wheeler (75 tackles, 1 sack) made seven stops.
Indianapolis did lose leading tackler Pat Angerer (112 tackles, 1 sack) in the
game due to a knee injury that leaves the linebacker questionable for this
game, while a pair of cornerbacks in Terrence Johnson (37 tackles) and Jerraud
Powers (51 tackles, 2 INT) were lost for the season due to injuries. Cornerback
Jacob Lacey (42 tackles) did play for the first time since Oct. 16 and had six
tackles.

KEYS TO THE GAME

The Colts didn’t catch a break by having to travel to Baltimore, where the
Ravens have allowed the fewest points per game (13.4) and touchdowns (45) in
the league since 2008. The Ravens have also forced an NFL-high 72 turnovers in
that span and are second overall with an average of 272.2 yards allowed per
game at home.

One thing that helped the Colts catch up to the Patriots was their ability to
convert on third down. They went 10-for-15 in said scenario last weekend after
entering the game having converted only 32.4 percent of their third downs. A
repeat performance will help wear down a Ravens defense that got a lot of rest
versus the Browns.

Baltimore, in part because of the weather, really rode its ground game last
weekend, but given the Colts’ injury concerns in the secondary, it could be
Flacco in the spotlight for this one. Boldin will likely draw most of
Indianapolis’ attention, meaning Torrey Smith could have some room to make some
more big plays. Also expect the tight end duo of Dickson and Dennis Pitta to be
heavily involved as well as Rice out of the backfield.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

With a playoff berth almost nearly assured, the Ravens still need to finish
strong as they remain in the mix for the top spot in the conference. For the
Colts, that means they can’t bank on Baltimore looking past this game for next
Sunday’s road date against a desperate San Diego team. The Ravens have shown
an inability to get up for games like this season, but Harbaugh’s club
seemed to show last week it has learned its lesson and should be focused.
Expect plenty or Flacco and Rice in this rout.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ravens 27, Colts 13

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Peyton Hillis has an impressive game the first time he met the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 26, 2010.

All Hillis did was rush for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Edward Lee of The Baltimore Sun writes how at least one player said the defense has buried the memory of that performance.

“Like I said, we put that behind us,” defensive end Cory Redding said. “That was the first time we played them last season. It was early in the game, early in the year. We played them later on in the year, and we stopped him. And we put that behind us.”

Hillis did not do so well against the Ravens the second time around with only 35 yards rushing, but Redding expects an energized opponent on Sunday.

 “Peyton Hillis is a professional football player,” Redding said. “Regardless of how many weeks he’s been out, he still is a paid, professional football player. So [he has] a lot of pride, a lot of heart. A lot of fight is going to come out of that man.

 

More Ravens

The Browns continue to prepare for Ray Lewis (Baltimore Sun).

Ed Reed says the rivalry between the Ravens and Browns speaks for itself (Baltimore Sun).

Old college coach helped Suggs in the pros (Baltimore Sun).

I am starting early to mentally prepare myself for the Sunday, December 4 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. It will perhaps be the most difficult challenge of the season as the “Old Browns” take on the current expansion version of the Cleveland Browns franchise.

It is always difficult for me when the Ravens come to town. I can still remember that dreadful day back on November 6, 1995 when Art Modell announced he was moving the franchise to Baltimore to begin play in 1996. 16 years later, I am still agitated at least twice a year.

I am fearful for quarterback Colt McCoy(notes) this week. McCoy has been sacked 26 times this season largely due to a weak offensive line and will face off against a rabid Baltimore defense led by Ray Lewis(notes), Terrell Suggs(notes), and Ed Reed(notes). In their last game against the San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith was sacked nine times. I am just hoping McCoy can come out alive, especially facing the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

McCoy’s best target this week is rookie WR Greg Little(notes) who leads the team with 47 receptions and 495 yards. My concern here is that he may have inherited Braylon Edwards(notes) Syndrome having dropped a total of four passes last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Known for ego issues during his college years at North Carolina, Little has shown maturity in his time with the Cleveland Browns making no excuses for his performance.

“Obviously, I was definitely upset at my performance,” Little said. “I took the time to cool off. I play with a high passion and high emotion. I got dressed and figured everybody would come up to me at once. Nobody showed up. I kind of left a little earlier than I usually do.”

He will need to be able to catch the quick throw this week as the Ravens’ will be coming at McCoy hard this week.

With Peyton Hillis(notes) back in action and Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) having a great season since joining the Browns, the running game will play a key role in protecting McCoy. One, if not both will need to step up and be able to move the ball.

On the defensive side of the ball LB Titus Brown(notes) will need to step up against Raven’s RB Ray Rice(notes). Scott Fujita’s(notes) injury could not have come at a worse time.

CB Joe Haden(notes) should be able to handle Anquan Boldin(notes).

As optimistic as I try to be regarding my beloved Cleveland Browns, all I am asking for this week is competitive football. Mistakes happen every game, but with the Browns already grossly overmatched in this contest, flawless execution will be the only thing able to keep the game competitive. Perhaps they will even surprise the world and pull off a win. That may be asking too much.

More Cleveland Browns Commentary from this Contributor:

Cleveland Browns release Pro Bowl veteran Pontbriand in favor of rookie Yount: A fan’s reaction

Fan’s look: Who is Peyton Hillis anyway?

Cleveland Browns’ fans deserve better: A fan’s take

Browns fall to Rams, hit an all-new low: A fan’s reaction

Browns must win against Rams or face fan exile: A fan’s take

Sources:

All data provided by NFL.com

Yahoo! Sports – Cleveland Browns Team Report

The Baltimore Ravens are well aware of their letdowns suffered against
weaker foes on the road following quality victories.

A dominating season-opening win over Pittsburgh was followed by a loss at
Tennessee in Week 2.

A victory over Houston in Week 6 preceded a defeat at lowly Jacksonville the
following Monday night, and completing a season sweep of the Steelers on Nov. 6
quickly was forgotten with a loss in Seattle the next week.

Enter the 4-7 Cleveland Browns, who await the visiting Ravens (8-3) on
Sunday after Baltimore’s 16-6 win over NFC West-leading San Francisco on
Thanksgiving.

“We certainly acknowledge that those three losses coming off big wins were
not good performances. They’re there. They’re on the record,” coach John
Harbaugh said. “Now we face a similar challenge this week, but a tougher
challenge, because now we’ve got to go play a team in our division.”

That may not be cause for worry, however, as Browns quarterback Colt McCoy(notes)
is 0-6 with a 66.6 passer rating lifetime against the AFC North, and division
co-leading Baltimore (8-3) has won six consecutive meetings.

McCoy, who has passed for more than 300 yards only once this season, threw
two interceptions to Ed Reed(notes) and three overall in the most recent meeting – a
20-10 Baltimore victory Dec. 26.

“Two things – their front seven is really good. They just are,” McCoy said.
“They rotate in and out. They’re fresh. They’re playing really well. … And,
you have to know where Ed Reed is. He’s a playmaker. He’s a ball hawk. He can be
here one time and there the next.”

Despite McCoy’s struggles, the Ravens are anticipating a tough challenge.

“It doesn’t matter how many wins and losses they have,” linebacker Jarret
Johnson(notes) said. “They always play good against us. It’s going to be a dogfight, so
we better bring it.”

Johnson is part of a Baltimore defense that held San Francisco to only 170
yards while tying a franchise record with nine sacks. It ranks third in the
league allowing an average of 292.3 yards, and the Ravens have held the Browns
to 280 yards or less in five of the last six matchups, with the lone exception
being Cleveland’s 304-yard performance Sept. 26, 2010.

Peyton Hillis(notes) accounted for 180 of that amount in that contest, including
144 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Hillis, though, has exceeded that
rushing total once since and has averaged only 47.9 yards on the ground over his
last eight games dating to last season.

Hillis has missed six games this year while battling illness and a nagging
hamstring injury, and while he is aware of his struggles, he maintains a
positive attitude.

“It’s probably been my worst season so far from a mental standpoint and
physical one,” Hillis said. “All I can do from here on out is just go forward
and hope the best happens.”

In his first game since Oct. 16, Hillis rushed 19 times for 65 yards in last
week’s 23-20 loss to Cincinnati – the Browns’ fourth defeat in five games.

The Ravens, No. 3 versus the run allowing 91.5 yards per game, believe
Hillis will present a challenge no matter his struggles.

“He’s a really aggressive runner,” Terrell Suggs(notes) said. “Everybody knows he’s
Peyton Hillis, and he likes to have good games against good defenses. I expect
for the juggernaut to be in there and try to run down some walls.”

Baltimore’s defense may be without Ray Lewis(notes) for a third straight game as he
nurses an injured right toe. The veteran linebacker was held out of practice
Wednesday, but he is still hoping to suit up against the Browns.

“I’m doing everything I can to get back and help this team get where we want
to go,” Lewis said.

Joe Flacco(notes) has provided enough leadership on the offensive side to help
Baltimore to the top of the division. The often-criticized quarterback threw for
161 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco while completing 15 of 23 passes
for a season-high 65.2 percent.

Flacco has never lost to Cleveland, throwing eight touchdowns and three
interceptions in six victories.

He’s gotten some help from Ray Rice(notes), who is averaging 5.0 yards per carry in
his career versus the Browns.

The Ravens will face a Cleveland defense that ranks sixth in the NFL, though
it will be without veteran linebacker Scott Fujita(notes) for the rest of the season.

Fujita will have surgery on his broken right hand suffered last week.

“It’s a big loss for us,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson(notes) said. “It’s a great
confidence having him out there. But other guys have to step up.”