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Crystal Ball - Battle Plans: Indianapolis Colts versus Baltimore Ravens

Posted On: 12/7/07
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh
Battle Plans: Indianapolis Colts versus Baltimore Ravens
Offense
 
1) First Down checks: If the Ravens have any degree of offensive success against the improved Colts’ defense, they will need to win the battle on first down. Staying in manageable down and distance situations is especially crucial against Indianapolis, as the Colts secondary has picked off 16 passes this season, and a number of those picks have come on third down.
 
The Ravens were able to grind out chunks of yards against the Patriots on first down, but the going will be tougher against Indianapolis. The Colts usually use safety Bob Sanders as an extra run defender to limit yards gained on the ground. Sanders is tough to account for because he can come crashing in from anywhere right before the ball is snapped.

Kyle Boller will need to locate Sanders and make a run/pass call on first down based on where Sanders may be.
 
2) Staying patient: Against Indianapolis, the opposing quarterback must play with patience and sustained efficiency. If a quarterback gets too antsy and tries to force a pass through a tight window, the result could be disastrous.
 
For the most part, Boller played well against the Patriots. If a route wasn’t open downfield, he invariably checked down to his underneath options.

He will need to play with the same level of patience and poise against the Colts. He has to take what the defense gives him.
 
3) Moving in space: Being able to gain yards after the catch is a key against the Colts’ compressed zone shell. If a ball carrier is able to bust a tackle or two and gain extra yardage, it could make a huge difference against a defense that limits big gains.
 
On that note, the offensive coaches should utilize more screens and quick outs in this game. The smoke screen (a play in which a receiver catches a pass off of a one step drop and runs behind a block off of the same side) could work against the Colt corners, who play off of the line.
 
In addition, Willis McGahee has to be used as a pass catcher as much as he is used as a runner. He will need to be fed the ball on designed swings and dump-offs. One thing that worked well against the Patriots was the middle screen, and that play could work well this Sunday as well. It is a play suited for McGahee because it enables him to get vertical after he tries to juke a defender out of position.

Defense

1) Defending the two-minute attack: By now, the Ravens’ defense should be well aware that they would have limited opportunities to substitute when they face the Colts attack on Sunday night. The Peyton Manning led offense moves without a huddle and normally snaps the ball quickly to take expose of a defense that is not set on time.
 
It is imperative that the defensive unit is organized and ready to log a lot of snaps against the Colts’ hurried style. Manning will try to catch the Ravens off guard and run a variation of plays out of the shotgun. The Ravens will need to be ready for anything.

2) Stretching it out: The staple play in Indianapolis’ offense is the stretch run. It is a play that is not only used to fuel the rush attack, but it is also used to open up the Colts’ passing game off of play-action.
 
In order to stuff the stretch run, a defense must stay true to their gaps. The front side defenders cannot over pursue, and the backside defenders cannot get sealed off the perimeter. If even a single crease opens up off the backside, tailback Joseph Addai will make a cut and dart quickly through the hole.
 
On the other hand, if the front seven does a nice job of flowing to Addai, they should be able to limit his gains. If the stretch is snuffed out enough times, Manning’s play-action fakes may be less deceptive as the game wears on. 
 
3) Rush up the gut: Manning is perhaps the toughest quarterback to sack in the NFL. He has an impeccable feel for where the rush is coming from and he gets rid of the ball before it gets to him. Manning does an outstanding job of buying time by finding holes within a pocket to move to, depending on which side the rush comes from.

That said, Manning has been sacked more times over the last few weeks than he is normally accustomed to. The interior line has caved in at times when they have had to pick up the blitz. If the rush comes up the middle, it is harder for Manning to maneuver, as opposed to when the rush comes off the edges.

The Ravens have been better at breaking down the pocket up the middle, and they will need to continue the trend against the Colts. The sumo duo of Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg will need to push the pocket and the backers will need to be a factor on inside blitzes.
 
One-on-one Matchup to Watch: Ed Reed versus Dallas Clark: Normally, Reed is more involved as the center fielder, defending from sideline-to-sideline. But in this game, Reed should be more involved in man-to-man coverage, which is a rare task for him to carry out. Clark dictates this defensive designation. Given that Marvin Harrison is likely to be out of the lineup yet again, Clark will be flanked out to the right side. The Ravens will need to use bracket coverage on Clark and Reggie Wayne, but when Clark gets past the second layer of coverage, Reed will pick him up on deep routes and try to limit his catches.
 
Photo by Sabina Moran

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Posted On: 12/7/07
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh

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