Colts face physical, momentous Ravens team looking to repeat Indy’s history

The Indianapolis Colts have had homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, and the No. 1 seed accompanying it, locked up for over a month. Not only do they have the tangible playoff advantages, but they have experience of being the NFL’s hunted come January.

That said, Indianapolis has no room for error.

Zilch.  Not this time.

Not when they haven’t played four quarters of meaningful football in over month and again have the target on their chest. Add that to the fact the clock is ticking on the possibility of another Lombardi Trophy for a franchise still looking to cement itself as dynasty during its decade of dominance.

 The setting should be all too familiar to fans closely following the NFL. The 2005 Colts, arguably the best team President Bill Polian assembled in Indianapolis, had homefield throughout and dropped their first playoff game to the then-No. 6 seeded Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh came in having won at rival Cincinnati the week before. This time around, it’s the Baltimore Ravens who possess the silent, but deadly six seed in search of a berth in next week’s AFC Championship Game.

There are too many similarities to be ignored here. The Ravens are led by second year quarterback Joe Flacco, who last year helped lead the Ravens to the conference championship game. The connection? Back in 2005, it was second year Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who led his team to its fifth championship after coming up short in the AFC Championship in his rookie season the year before.

And what about the team makeup? The Ravens and Steelers share a similar type of style the Colts have struggled putting points on over the years. Both have physical defenses with ball-hawking safeties in Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu, respectively.

Historically, the Colts have had trouble putting points up against the Ravens in particular. In this year’s contest, the Indianapolis managed just 17 points, nine lower than their per-game average. The last time the Colts faced Baltimore in the playoffs, it was Adam Vinatieri’s five field goals that pushed the Colts to the conference championship in the 2006 season.

History set aside, some things jump out in my mind as to what the difference will be.

1.       The ability of Ravens running backs Willis McGahee and Ray Rice to run the ball on the Colts’ defense. The two have combined for over 1800 yards on the ground this year, and Rice totaled 159 last week at Gillette Stadium. Should Baltimore be able to run, melting the clock and moving the chains, Peyton Manning won’t have as much time on the field. It’s as simple as that.

2.       Baltimore’s defense and Manning’s timing. The Ravens have the reputation as being the most in-your-face, physical defense in the league. Manning and his receivers have not had a full game’s worth of experience since playing in Jacksonville on December 17. Should their timing be off or the offensive line rusty, the disciplined Ravens could exploit the Colts’ holes.  The 2005 Steelers baffled Indianapolis’ offensive line and got to Peyton Manning almost at will.

3.       Field position. Lucas Oil Stadium is one of the most raucous environments in the league. If Ravens get pinned down inside their own territory early, it could be a long day for the young offense. But give Flacco a short field and a not-so-hostile environment, a balanced rushing attack from McGahee and Rice could make Indianapolis’ offense be the one playing catch up.

Right now it’s do-or-die for Indianapolis. The possibility of 19-0 and football divinity was vacated when the Colts’ starters were controversially rested in the second half of the Jets game, which, by the way, could set up a rematch between the two teams in the AFC Championship.

But the Colts still have their place in history to play for.

It’s all in place. Now, are the Colts? See you next week