This should be a good football game as both teams are 2-2 heading into this week.  The Ravens will no doubt come out running in this football game with LeRon McClain (266 yards rushing) and Willis McGahee (170 yards rushing) against a Colts’ defense that is allowing 188.5 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry.  The Ravens want to protect Joe Flacco who sometimes makes bad decisions with the football as he has thrown 4 interceptions already this season. 

The Colts will likely come out throwing the ball against the Ravens to try to get a quick lead on them and take them out of their gameplan.  The Colts’ O-Line must give Peyton Manning enough time to locate his receivers who should have some edges against the Ravens’ secondary due to injuries.  Look for Manning to spread the ball around to Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark.  Still, Manning will have to be careful as the Ravens already have 7 interceptions and 9 sacks this season.  Don’t look for Joseph Addai to have much success running on the Ravens who are allowing only 64.0 yards rushing per game and 2.8 yards per carry this season.

PREDICTION:  BALTIMORE RAVENS 21, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 20

The Ravens had this game in the bag heading into the 4th quarter as they were leading 10-3 with the Titans’ offense firmly in the grip of the Ravens’ awesome defense.  But, the Titans scored 10 points on two long drives in the 4th quarter to beat the Ravens.  The Ravens held the Titans to only 210 yards of total offense and 13 points so it’s hard to blame them for this loss.  The offense should have done more to help the Ravens’ cause in this game.  Joe Flacco needs to protect the football much better than he does as he completed 18 of 27 passes for 153 yards with 2 pickoffs.  The Ravens did rush for 132 yards in this game on 38 carries (3.5 ypc) and they did hold onto the football for 34:28 of this game but they have to start putting some points on the scoreboard if they want to win games.  The Ravens are now 2-2 on the season.

This should be a street fight of a football game as both of these teams have great defenses and limited offenses.  The Titans are only allowing 11.5 points and 263.6 total yards per game while the Ravens are allowing 14.3 points and 186.7 yards per game.  The Titans will still come out trying to run against a Ravens’ defense that is allowing 69.7 yards rushing per game and 3.1 yards per carry.  Rookie Charles Johnson and LenDale White will likely have to fight for every yard they get on the ground.  The Titans have only allowed 2 sacks this season and if Kerry Collins gets time to throw the football he can still be effective.  Look for the Titans to target CB Fabian Washington who has given up some big plays this season.

The Ravens will likely be without Willis McGahee but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be running the football to attempt to take pressure off of rookie QB Joe Flacco.  Le’Ron McClain and Ray Rice will likely have to carry the load against a Titans’ defense that is allowing 86.8 yards rushing per game and 3.7 yards per carry.  Look for the Titans to cover Ravens’ top WR Derrick Mason (16 rec, 223 yards) with CB Cortland Finnegan (4 interceptions).  With that in mind look for TE Todd Heap to have a bigger role on the offense in this game.  When Flacco drops back to pass he will have to get rid of the ball quick against a Titans’ defense with 15 sacks already this season.

PREDICTION:  TENNESSEE TITANS 17, BALTIMORE RAVENS 13

Starting CB Samari Rolle underwent surgery on his neck that will cause him to miss at least the next month of the NFL season.  He has 3 tackles and 1 interception so far this season.  He will be replaced by Fabian Washington who has 3 tackles this season.  This is not good for the Ravens’ pass defense as Rolle is vastly superior to Washington who’s prone to getting beat deep.

The Ravens outhit the Steelers in this game but they just couldn’t finish off this game.  Joe Flacco had his best game of the season completing 16 of 31 passes for 192 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions.  LeRon McClain led the way for the Ravens in rushing with 63 yards on 16 carries (3.9 ypc) with a TD run.  He also caught 3 passes for 26 yards (8.7 avg) on Sunday Night.  Willis McGahee pitched in with 42 yards on 13 carries (3.2 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 19 yards (6.3 avg).  Derrick Mason had a huge game for the Ravens catching 8 passes for 137 yards (17.1 avg) against the Steelers.  The Ravens finished up with 103 yards rushing on 33 carries (3.1 ypc) and they also completed 16 of 31 passes for 140 yards.

The Ravens’ defense was outstanding in this football game.  Ray Lewis led the way for the Ravens with 13 tackles.  LB Bart Scott (7 tackles, sack) and DE Haloti Ngata (5 tackles, interception) each also had big games.  The Steelers finished up with 69 yards rushing on 28 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 14 of 24 passes for 168 yards.  The Ravens are now 2-1 on the season.