Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Fresh off their first win of the season, the Indianapolis Colts now have the privilege of having to travel to Maryland to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. The Ravens have won three in a row after falling short in Week 1 and are starting to claw back into contention for the AFC crown. The Ravens opened as 6.5-point favorites in this matchup with a total of 47.5.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Week 5 Odds
Date/Time: October 11, 8:20 p.m. ET
Arena: M&T Bank Stadium
How to watch: ESPN
Opening odds: Ravens -6.5 | O/U 47.5 (BetMGM)
Latest Colts-Ravens Odds
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Opening Odds – Colts vs. Ravens
The Ravens opened as 6.5-point favorites, and early action is heavy on Baltimore to win and cover the spread at 83% of early bets. With that development, the Ravens have since moved to -7 home favorites.
As for the total, oddsmakers were projecting a lower-scoring game with the total at 47.5 and early bets tend to agree with 67% of bets on the UNDER. As a result, the total has since moved down to 47.
Quarterback Analysis – Carson Wentz vs. Lamar Jackson
This is a case of two quarterbacks who can look brilliant and foolish on the same drive, that’s about the only comparison to make between Colts quarterback Carson Wentz and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. As much as we tease Wentz for his decision-making and turnover issues, he’s only thrown one interception and had one fumble this season. That’s a stark improvement over 2020 when he had three fumbles and 15 interceptions in 12 games. In four games this season, Wentz has five touchdown passes and 920 yards passing.
As for Jackson, he’s been more turnover-prone in 2021 that most of his contemporaries, with three interceptions in four games, but he has been making up with it by converting key third downs with his legs. The athletic marvel has 242 yards rushing through four games, which is actually low by his standards but exceeds some starting running backs in the NFL. His last home game was Week 2 vs. the Chiefs and while he struggled to start, he still did enough to win and ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the come-from-behind win.
Latest Colts Betting News & Info
After looking like the season was lost for the Colts with an 0-3 start, there’s a glimmer of optimism for Indianapolis following the win over Miami. The Colts defense looked as locked in as ever and completely shut down the Dolphins run game and held them only 35 yards on the ground. That could be key for the Week 5 matchup when facing a Ravens team that is top-five running the ball.
However, the offensive line is a bit of a mess for the Colts with All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson on IR and losing LT Anthony Castonzo to retirement in the offseason. Carson Wentz has only been sacked five times through four games but has been pressured routinely by defensive lines as the Colts are in the bottom-ten for quarterback pressures allowed.
If the Colts can continue to have quick-strike throws to the likes of Zach Pascal or Mo Alie-Cox, who had two touchdowns vs. the Dolphins, they should be able to at least remain competitive vs. the Ravens in Week 5.
Latest Ravens Betting News & Info
A dominant road win over the Broncos cures all as the Ravens are back in business in the AFC playoff picture. Baltimore is only 2-2 ATS in four games but should’ve probably won/covered in Week 1 vs. the Raiders. Week 3 feels like an anomaly too after such a close game with the Lions.
Now, the Ravens face a team that I think they match up well with because the Ravens have only allowed 85.8 yards per game on the ground. If Baltimore neutralizes RB Jonathan Taylor, that puts QB Carson Wentz in a position to have to make throws and that could lead to turnovers on the road.
Colts vs. Ravens Betting Picks – NFL Week 5
Most of the public action is on the Ravens -7, and I tend to agree with that . I think the Ravens make this a one-sided affair and run all over them. As for the total, I like the UNDER as I think the Colts offense will be held below 20 points.
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