Colts may not be outclassed on Baltimore return

Sky Sports Action, 6pm Saturday

It is 33 years since the Colts upped sticks from Baltimore to move to Indianapolis and they have had few seasons as bad of this one since.

Head coach Chuck Pagano is almost certain to be clearing his desk after the closure of the regular season next week and with eight defeats in their last nine games, their followers will be delighted to see the campaign's finish on the horizon.

Their three victories have come against AFC South rivals Houston, whose quest for glory has been a similar tale of misery, Cleveland, who can't beat anyone, and San Francisco, who couldn't beat anyone in the first two months.

So it is little surprise to see them receiving a 14-point start against the Ravens, whose recent form is at the other end of the scale.

Baltimore have won six of their last seven games and are still well-placed to claim a wildcard spot with an equally winnable home clash against Cincinnati next week.

And five of their six defeats have come against Pittsburgh (twice), Jacksonville, Minnesota and Tennessee, all of whom have realistic ambitions of doing well in the new year.

The Revens have failed to score 23 points in just one of their six home games while Miami and Green Bay were both unable to register a point against them.

However, while the motivation is still there for them to complete the job, it might be worth siding with the visitors on the handicap, who have committed just 15 turnovers despite their poor campaign.

The Colts have lost their last five games but three of those losses came by six points or fewer, one of them being a 13-7 defeat in Buffalo which was played in six inches of snow.

Indianapolis made bright starts against Pittsburgh and Tennessee before being unable to complete the job but as Baltimore would happily take a one-point success, the value is with the team returning to their former city.

Recommendation
Indianapolis +14
2pts 10-11 Sky Bet

The lowdown
Venue M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Surface Grass
Weather Drizzle and windy, 17C
Vegas handicap Indianapolis +13.5
Vegas points line 41

Team news
Indianapolis
Wide receiver Donte Moncrief is ruled out with an ankle injury. Tight ends Brandon Williams and Jason van der Laan (both concussion) will also be missing, as will cornerback Rashaan Melvin (hand) and offensive tackle Denzelle Good (knee). Cornerback Nate Hairston is rated questionable.

Baltimore
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is doubtful with a knee injury. Cornerbacks Maurice Canady and Anthony Levine, and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley are rated questionable.

Key stat
The points total has gone under the line in each of the teams' last five meetings.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on FacebookRacingPostSport