The Baltimore Ravens are set to host the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round in a game that will certainly bring back lots of good and bad memories for fans around the city.
The Colts left Baltimore on a snowy March night in 1984, crushing the hearts of fans across Maryland. Almost 30 years later, the animosity toward the Colts is still there, and in some ways, might have grown.
Indianapolis has been a thorn in the side of the Ravens in the regular season and in the playoffs. The Colts cost the Ravens an important regular season victory a couple of seasons ago and have won the past two playoff meetings, including a 15-6 win in Baltimore in the divisional round back in 2007. The Ravens went 13-3 that year, their best regular season mark ever, and were considered Super Bowl favorites.
While the Colts are playing good football, it isn't a matchup that should particularly scare the Ravens. Andrew Luck has played very well this year but is prone to throwing interceptions and the Indianapolis defense really struggles against both the run and the pass.
The Colts, much like the Ravens in some respects, have pulled out some crazy wins at the end of games. The playoff game being in Baltimore, a place where the Ravens have won a lot over the past decade, is another advantage.
The Ravens should also be the healthiest they have been in many weeks after resting many of their star players in the last regular season game, which was essentially meaningless. They also get Ray Lewis back for what is very likely his final game at M&T Bank Stadium, as if the atmosphere wouldn't be electric enough already.
Prediction: The Ravens simply have far too much talent and experience, and they also have the home crowd on their side. They are finally healthy, and the Giants game may have been a sign of a team getting hot at just the right time. The Colts have been a great story this year, but their magical ride comes to an end. Ravens 33, Colts 20
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