Baltimore (2-0) at Indianapolis (1-0)
When: Monday, August 20th 2018
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Pickem/37
It’s been almost three years since the Baltimore Ravens last lost a preseason football game, and they will look to keep that streak alive when they visit the Indianapolis Colts for the first Monday Night Football game of the season. Baltimore’s streak reached 10 games with last week’s 33-7 thrashing of the Los Angeles Rams and will play their third game of the preseason. The Colts’ defense was impressive in their 19-17 at Seattle a week ago, but the offense looked a little sluggish, gaining only 265 yards. These teams actually played in a regular season game back in December, with the Ravens winning 23-16, but the trend with these two has been the under. The last five meetings between Baltimore and Indy have gone under and the Colts’ last eight games overall has gone below the posted total.
Quarterback Joe Flacco was 5-of-7 with a touchdown in his brief action last week against the Rams, but the big question is who the backup will be. The battle between Robert Griffin III and Lamar Jackson is heating up. Both have played in the first two preseason games, and both will get a long look on Monday. Griffin has looked much better as a passer, but Jackson gives the Ravens a running ability that Griffin just doesn’t have anymore. Former Arizona Cardinal wideout John Brown seems to be turning heads in camp as the No. 1 receiver and should get see some action Monday against Indianapolis.
The Colts may have recorded a nice victory in Seattle last week, but the only thing that really matters is their health. They came out of tha contest in bad shape, losing receiver Deon Cain for the season with a torn ACL, while running backs Marlon Mack (hamstring) and Robert Turbin (ankle) are considered week-to-week and will not practice this week let alone play in Monday’s game. That will give fourth-round pick Nyheim Hines a chance to shine. He struggled with seven yards on three carries in last week’s contest against Seattle. Quarterback Andrew Luck was 6-for-9 last week and will probably just play a series or two Monday, before giving way to back-up Jacoby Brissett.
I like the QB battle Baltimore has going on with Jackson and Griffin. Both are talented and will be playing extra hard. The Colts just don’t want to lose anymore bodies before the regular season starts. Its only preseason, but you can’t ignore the Ravens 10-game winning streak in meaningless games.
Pick: Ravens PK
Betting Trends:
- Ravens are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- Ravens are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Monday games.
- Ravens are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.
- Colts are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
- Colts are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 Monday games.
- Over is 5-2 in Ravens last 7 games on fieldturf.
- Over is 5-2 in Ravens last 7 road games.
- Under is 8-0 in Colts last 8 games overall.
- Under is 6-0 in Colts last 6 games on fieldturf.
- Under is 8-0 in Colts last 8 vs. AFC.
- Over is 5-1 in Colts last 6 Monday games.
- Under is 37-18 in Colts last 55 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Indianapolis.
- Under is 11-1 in the last 12 meetings.
- Favorite is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
- Ravens are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
- Ravens are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Indianapolis.
