When the Colts take on the Ravens to end Week 5 of the 2021 NFL regular season on “Monday Night Football” (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), it will about two teams trying to build on last week’s success.
The Colts (1-3) got their first win by knocking off the Dolphins, while the Ravens (3-1) beat the Broncos, staying hot since losing to the Raiders in overtime on Monday night in Week 1. The Colts can still win the weak AFC South, while the Ravens need to keep winning to keep pace in the strong AFC North.
Will Carson Wentz continue to get better for Indianapolis? Will Lamar Jackson be further unleashed in the downfield passing game for Baltimore?
Here’s everything to know about betting on Colts vs. Ravens in Week 5, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for “Monday Night Football.”
NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Bills, Cowboys, Chargers serious contenders; Chiefs, 49ers drop for Week 6
Colts vs. Ravens odds for ‘Monday Night Football’
- Spread: Ravens by 7
- Over/under: 46.5
- Moneyine: Colts +260, Ravens -360
The line has been sitting on a touchdown all week with Baltimore adding a few points to its home-field advantage. Indianapolis won on the road last week. There’s some good thought to the total, given the defenses are good enough to keep under 50.
(betting odds per FanDuel Sportsbook)
Colts vs. Ravens all-time series
The Colts, who relocated from Baltimore, hold a 10-6 advantage. The Ravens have won two in a row, including 24-10 in Indianapolis last season. They also have taken four the past five meetings. Before that, the Colts had taken eight straight games during the Peyton Manning era.
Three trends to know
—A whopping 86 of spread bettors think the number is too big in favor of the Ravens and like the Colts to cover.
—53 percent of over/under bettors think the point total is too low given the quarterbacks and defenses that have had a few issues.
—The Colts are 5-5 straight up and 5-5 against the spread in their past 10 games. It’s split on the overs and unders, 5-5. The Ravens are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their past 10 games, but the total has gone over only 4 times in that span.
Three things to watch
The Colts’ offensive line injuries
Indianapolis is missing the right side of its line again as both guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Braden Smith.remain on the shelf. The Colts will have their hands full with the Ravens’ pass rush and solid run defense up front.
The Ravens’ new-look passing attack
Baltimore was dared to throw the ball often in Denver last week and Jackson responded with plenty of downfield strikes, expanding the weaponry at wide receiver and tight end. Jackson should build off that renewed confience at home and it’s an important development given the replacement running backs have become less reliable.
The ex-Baltimore factor
The Ravens’ fans always get pumped for their team to beat the Colts, a team that left the city more than 37 years ago. They should be loud and working to affect the outcome much like the close one against the Chiefs in Week 2.
Stats that matter
109.7 and 71.1. That’s the passer rating and average rushing yards per game in Jackson in 12 regular-season night games (8-4 record) with the Ravens. Baltimore did fall in prime time on the road in Week 1, but it did win vs. Kansas City on a Sunday night.
Colts vs. Ravens prediction
The Colts are overmatched here offensively and defensively. They will have some rushing success with Jonathan Taylor, but the Ravens’ pressure and secondary will contain Wentz for most of the game. The Colts have a front seven that can give Jackson a few issues, but he will his use his moblity and arm to fight through it for a big night.
Ravens 30, Colts 20