Indianapolis Colts (3-11 SU, 6-8 ATS) vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-6 SU, 8-5-1 ATS)
NFL Week 16
Date/Time: Saturday, December 23rd, 2017 4:30 PM EST
Where: M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, MD
TV: NFL NETWORK
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: IND +13.5 /BAL -13.5 (-105)
Over/Under Total:41
The Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens will meet for a pivotal clash that has playoff implications on the line for the Birds when the AFC South squares off with the AFC North. The game will be aired for audiences on NFL Network with a kick-off time of 4:30 PM EST. The contest will come live from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 23rd, 2017. Between the two parties, both sides have split the last four games two victories per side. Most recently, the two teams came together in Indianapolis in 2014 when the Colts defeated the Ravens 20-13. It is worth highlighting that the Colts are 9-1 ATS in the previous ten meetings between both parties.
The Colts come in off their fifth consecutive loss when they were trampled at home by the Denver Broncos by a score of 25-13. Indianapolis was without their franchise man Andrew Luck under center as they have been all season long. The once maligned Denver offense find its second win under Brock Osweiler who came in relief of injured signal caller Trevor Siemian. The Broncos typically stout defense lead the way to hold the Colts offense to just 158 yards of total offense.
The Ravens come in off their fourth win in five games and once again the defense was the center of conversation. Baltimore entered into a notorious trouble spot when they took to the road to face off with rival Cleveland in the Dawg Pound. Despite the possibility of Cleveland looking to orchestrate an upset and earn its first win, the Ravens defense held the Browns to just 10 points. Previous to this, the Ravens impressed national audiences when they travelled to the Steel City to do battle with their biggest foe, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens held a significant lead until the Steelers would rally and escape 39-38. The affair being televised on primetime television on Sunday night was bound to create a reaction from the public.
In two of the Ravens last six victories, the Ravens defense has pitched a shutout. This statistic only further inflates the stock of the Ravens heading into this contest against a team with a lack of an offensive identity. Given the must-win component of this game in particular for B-Town, the Ravens seem to be an attractive play given the fact the contest means nothing to Indy. Usually circumstances like this will result an inflated point spread and the public chasing the lumber as a result. What adds to this equation is the fact that the Ravens are known for a robust home field advantage and it has continued to be a bullet point in many analyses. This narrative is instrumental for Baltimore as they continue to eye a potential wildcard berth. Presently, the Ravens are sitting in possession for one of those berths and will take it if they win out. Given the nature of their schedule, many have declared that Baltimore will be able to grab the bid. This factoid also drives entices public action the Ravens.
From the get-go, we have noticed substantial steam come in on Baltimore as the market has already moved by a point to indicate action on the Ravens. The Ravens are accompanied by a -105 price tag in against the spread markets. We have seen the number remain idle in the Over/Under. At the current point, the figure rests at 41.
This is the time of season where games are prone to be dumped by teams out of contention. This is the case for teams like Indianapolis. It is also the time of year where teams like Baltimore who are on the bubble will be coming into the fold with heightened motivation to win. The combination of these two factors will cause bookmakers to inflict a premium on any party wishing to back the Ravens in this scenario. When you toss in the narrative of Indianapolis leaving the dome to enter into an environment conducive for Baltimore to have an edge, the number here is only exaggerated that much more. Well take the points in what would be a hard line to cover for any NFL team.
Keith’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: INDIANAPOLIS +13.5 – Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.