Behind The Numbers: Ravens vs. the Colts

Its déjà vu all over again; the Ravens face another team they narrowly missed beating in the regular season. The record on the revenge tour so far is 1-0. What will it take to make it 2-0 and earn a return trip to the AFC Championship game?

When I think of Peyton Manning and the Colts I see images of a high-powered, precision offense. Since 2001 the Ravens are 1-7 vs. Manning and said offense, but if you look a little closer at the results you will find it’s been more a story of the Ravens offense failing compared to the Colts offense soaring. Below you will see the stats for Manning vs. the Ravens over the last eight games. Although Manning’s stats are impressive, the numbers that stand out are the points scored by the Ravens, not the points allowed.

* = post season

Over the last eight meetings the Ravens have averaged only 15 points against the Colts and in three of the last four games have failed to score a touchdown. Joe Flacco has not produced a TD vs. Indy in eight quarters. The Colts defense has shut down the Ravens offense consistently since 2002 and not allowed more than 20 points against us since 2001.

Keep in mind while watching this weekend that if we can trade some field-goals for touchdowns, for a change, we just might have a chance to help the Colts start their off-season sooner rather than later.