Tale of The Tape: Room To Run

**JMUpurkfool** · 01-04-2013, 10:15 AM

New Tale of The Tape

Colts can be had on the ground. Houston did themselves in by going away from the ground after they went down 21-16. 15 passes to 2 runs thereafter even with around a full quarter to play.

I think it will be interesting to see how the Ravens want to attack the Indy defense. Over the course of the season Rice has been the primary back on zone run plays and Pierce has gotten most of the carries on man scheme runs.

I would love to see Pierce get a few carries on outside zone runs because he has a knack for getting to the edge.

**Section 502 Raven** · 01-04-2013, 10:32 AM

i'm usually a proponent of deferring if we win the coin toss. maybe we take the ball and make sure we have the lead. if we play from behind we could fall in the same trap as houston.

**JMUpurkfool** · 01-04-2013, 10:37 AM

Not with Ray coming out of the tunnel. The crowd will already be louder than ever. Force the Colts to punt and we get points on the first drive and M & T could collapse.

**RavenScallywag** · 01-04-2013, 10:46 AM

I'm still guarded about this. I want to say as recently as a few years ago, the Colts had the same knock going into the playoffs. Can't stop the run...

And then they proceeded to stop the run EVERY SINGLE GAME in the postseason. Can't recall enough details to make a claim here, but it sticks out in my mind...

If it helps, I think the reason was Bob Sanders. He had missed a ton of time right before the playoffs, but came back and suddenly, they had a Defense.

EDIT - Ok, it was their 2006-2007 SB season. They were 32nd in rushing yards allowed during the season, then suddenly got hot in the playoffs, holding Larry Johnson to 12 carries, 32 yards...Jamal to 53 yards...and then faced the perennial non-rushing team the Pats.

**mickeyotc** · 01-04-2013, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

EDIT - Ok, it was their 2006-2007 SB season. They were 32nd in rushing yards allowed during the season, then suddenly got hot in the playoffs, holding Larry Johnson to 12 carries, 32 yards...Jamal to 53 yards...and then faced the perennial non-rushing team the Pats.

When they came into Baltimore everyone was sure we could run all over them. They put on a defensive clinic and made the Ravens look slow and foolish. I know it's not the same teams, but don't be surprised if the Colts muscle up and stifle the run.

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by mickeyotc

When they came into Baltimore everyone was sure we could run all over them. They put on a defensive clinic and made the Ravens look slow and foolish. I know it's not the same teams, but don't be surprised if the Colts muscle up and stifle the run.

Rice put up over 100 on the Colts last year. Granted it's a different team and different scheme, but they have a lot of the same guys.

Their OLB's are really struggling against the run.

**RavenScallywag** · 01-04-2013, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

Rice put up over 100 on the Colts last year. Granted it's a different team and different scheme, but they have a lot of the same guys.

Their OLB's are really struggling against the run.

I guess it is important to note Bob Sanders in that season. He won the DPOY the next year, and I believe he had returned from injury very late in the year. Could actually be a big boost for Ravens fans who are worried...we have a TON of guys who have been recovering from injuries, maybe just now healthy for a run.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-04-2013, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by mickeyotc

When they came into Baltimore everyone was sure we could run all over them. They put on a defensive clinic and made the Ravens look slow and foolish. I know it's not the same teams, but don't be surprised if the Colts muscle up and stifle the run.

Difference than is they knew we were struggling to pass.

However, just because they have had trouble stopping the run this year, doesn't mean this game will be the same.

**jefe96** · 01-04-2013, 11:21 AM

Colts don't have Gary Brackett anymore either. If memory serves correct he was a decent MLB except whenever they played the Ravens and all of a sudden he was all-world looking like a combo of Butkus and Ray Lewis.

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

Difference than is they knew we were struggling to pass.

However, just because they have had trouble stopping the run this year, doesn't mean this game will be the same.

Yep. Flacco has been very good at home this year too. Here are Flacco's stats at home:

100.5 QBR 15 TDS 5 INTS 295 yards/game 8.58 yards/attempt

**JMUpurkfool** · 01-04-2013, 12:04 PM

History really doesn't matter in this instance.

Colts use to run a 4-3... now they run a 3-4.

Most of the players have changed.

We are a much greater threat to throw downfield at this point.

The tape says they can't stop the run.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-04-2013, 12:13 PM

nice overview.

I think Houston just ran into a buzzsaw last week with Pagano returning. This week is a different matter

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

nice overview.

I think Houston just ran into a buzzsaw last week with Pagano returning. This week is a different matter

Houston has been struggling since the NE game. In the last 4 games, Schaub has thrown 1 TD and 3 INTS with a QBR of 79.2.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-04-2013, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

Houston has been struggling since the NE game. In the last 4 games, Schaub has thrown 1 TD and 3 INTS with a QBR of 79.2.

Yeah I know.. but they kinda stumbled in to the playoffs last year too and with a rookie QB.
This one is tough to pick but I gotta believe Houston gets it done against Cinci

**JMUpurkfool** · 01-04-2013, 12:22 PM

I think Schaub is struggling. Kubiak better lean on Foster if he wants to advance.

Selfishly I hope they get knocked off though.

**YorkRavensFan** · 01-04-2013, 12:23 PM

As much as I love Rice, I want to see a lot of Pierce and Leach early in this game. Let those two beat the hell out of their DL and LB for a bit then have Rice go to work.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-04-2013, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by JMUpurkfool

I think Schaub is struggling. Kubiak better lean on Foster if he wants to advance.

Selfishly I hope they get knocked off though.

**jonboy79** · 01-04-2013, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by JMUpurkfool

I think Schaub is struggling. Kubiak better lean on Foster if he wants to advance.

Selfishly I hope they get knocked off though.

yup, much rather play NE then Denver.

**camdenyard** · 01-04-2013, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

nice overview.

I think Houston just ran into a buzzsaw last week with Pagano returning. This week is a different matter

Yes. Also, the fact that they beat division leader Houston in Indy, and the emotional rise they got out of that...you'd think they'd be primed for a letdown.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 01-04-2013, 12:41 PM

I'm picking Cincy to win. I think they'll have motivation from last year's loss in Houston and I believe their front 7 will bottle up Foster and get after Schaub. Offensively if they can halt Watt a bit, they have a good chance. It should be a tight game, but definitely rooting for and picking the Bengals.

I just hope the offense can really hit a streak this postseason, they're going to have to. I think the D will really make a strong stand, but the O has to come to work this postseason.