Peyton's Place...NOT!!!

The Gurus come into this week down 19.8 stars on the year after losing on our only play last week. I had a very detailed, funny write-up on the Colts vs. Ravens game done with references to Colts leaving in the middle of the night, GuruJoe being absent from this board for a very long time, and I even threw in a Rosie vs. Donald reference. I had each part of the game broken down. Now time is getting short I can't go through it all. So here is an abbreviated write-up:

Colts @ Ravens

M & T Bank Stadium is not the same as the dome you are used to playing in Peyton. I think there are basically two keys to this game: 1) How does Peyton Manning handle the pressure from the Ravens D and 2) can the Colts rush D step up again?

1) The Ravens D is first overall and points allowed. They are second in sacks. Last year my Defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers showed how Peyton Manning doesn't like much pressure, especially up the middle. Ravens will exploit this.

2) While Jamal Lewis is clearly in the twilight of his career, he still had 1,000+ yards and 9 TD's. Baltimore ranked 11th in the league in rush attempts despite having the 25th best rushing offense. Brian Billick ran the ball and played defense to win his games. Do you think he is going to abandon that game plan this week? The Colts rush D must step up and force the game into Steve McNair's hands. Jamal Lewis cannot gain 3 yards a carry and keep Peyton and company on the sidelines.

"The Man" has the Ravens giving 3.5 and the total at 42.5. I personally think that the Ravens dominate this game with defense and the running game. I would lay 3 sheckles on the Ravens today. I also think the total is way too high. Throw 3 more sheckles on the under.