INDIANAPOLIS —
Are the Indianapolis Colts treating Sunday’s game at Jacksonville as the final game of the season or just the next game on the schedule? 

Despite a 2-13 record, the Colts have plenty on the line – particularly when it comes to draft positioning as well as the future of several key players on the Indianapolis roster. And then there are the questions about what’s going to happen to coach Jim Caldwell and his coaching staff, if anything, once the season is over.

“It is the last game of the year, but also can be used as stepping stones to launch you into the offseason and those kinds of things,” Caldwell explained Monday.

“There are a lot of different things you can sort of talk about in terms of this ball game, but for us it is the next one. What we are trying to do, and [what] we have been trying to do, is get incrementally better, just a little bit better each and every week. I think our guys have been doing that, and this one will also be a challenge to get just a little bit better this week. I think that is indeed the key. And we are going to face an opponent that is doing the exact same thing.”

As for the questions about possible draft positioning, with Minnesota scoring an upset over Washington last Saturday, the Vikings have played themselves out of contention for the No. 1 pick in April’s National Football League draft.

It’s now down to the Colts and St. Louis Rams, who are also 2-13 this season. Due to the league’s tie-breaking procedure, which is strength of schedule, Indianapolis is still the leading contender for the top pick. NFL officials said over the weekend, though, that a Colts win and a St. Louis loss would give the selection to the Rams.

But, again, that could change depending on how teams on both Indianapolis and the Rams’ schedules fare in their games Sunday. According to team vice-chairman Bill Polian, who broached the topic during his weekly Monday night radio show, a final determination won’t be known until after this weekend’s games have been completed.

Caldwell said that the Colts aren’t concerning themselves right now about what might happen in the draft. Their immediate goal is the Jaguars.

Indianapolis has never been swept by an AFC South team since the division was created in 2002 and it doesn’t want to start any precedent now. The Colts are even in the season series with Tennessee and Houston after winning their last two games.

“I do not [worry about the draft]. My job is to win ball games, plain and simple,” the Indianapolis coach said. “[Being swept by a division opponent] hasn’t happened around here in a long time, and I think it is something that they’ve been really focused on and working hard to make certain that it doesn’t happen. That is the real challenge.”

•  Injury list — No decision has been made as to whether tight end Dallas Clark (neck burner), weakside linebacker Philip Wheeler (foot), offensive guard Joe Reitz (ankle) or linebacker A.J. Edds (ankle) will be available to play against the Jaguars Sunday.

“I do know [Clark and Wheeler] are making good progress, but I’m not certain of their status at this point. If [Clark] is not healthy and ready to go, then we won’t (play him),” Caldwell said.

While there is a possibility that Clark could be placed on the team’s injured reserve list if he is unable to play at Jacksonville, no decision has been made.

“We have to do what we think is best for us to win this game, so we’ll look at all phases in that regard,” the Colts coach voiced.

The team is treating the season finale at Jacksonville like any other game in terms of injured players being available.

“There are certain individuals that may have borderline issues,” he said. “But the doctors typically, if [they are] borderline, they are going to rule against [them playing].”

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Read More: Dallas Clark (TE – IND), Peyton Manning (QB – IND), Jacob Tamme (TE – IND), Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts, Dec 18, 2011 1:00 PM EST

The Indianapolis Colts will be without their starting tight end Dallas Clark this week with a “burner” he suffered last week. Jacob Tamme will start in his place. 

The Colts will also be without five others including Peyton Manning and the slew of players added to the IR over the last couple weeks.

Here is the full inactive list for the Colts this week: 

That’s all the news for today.

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts tight end Dallas Clark is out for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with a neck injury.

Clark missed four games after injuring his lower left leg, then played last week against Baltimore. Jacob Tamme will start in his place.

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Indianapolis —
The Indianapolis Colts defense is preparing to face a two-pronged offensive attack when the Tennessee Titans visit Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.

Either veteran Matt Hasselbeck or rookie Jake Locker will get the start at quarterback and both offer specific skills that could give the Colts problems.

Hasselbeck is not known as a scrambler out of the pocket but can keep plays alive with his mobility behind the line of scrimmage. Locker, meanwhile, can present all sorts of issues with his legs and his arm.

“You have to assess both [Hasselbeck and Locker. Hasselbeck has been around for a while and the reports are that we think he will be there and be ready to go,” coach Jim Caldwell previewed Thursday.

“So that’s what we’ll prepare for. But, also, we’ll take a look at Locker as well, and make certain that we get prepared for him also.”

Hasselbeck is nursing a sore left calf that he hurt in last week’s home loss to New Orleans. Locker has been getting most of the work behind center this week but Titans first-year coach Mike Munchak is going to wait before formally announcing a starter.

Hasselbeck started and went the entire way in Tennessee’s 27-10 win over the Colts at Nashville’s LP Field on Oct. 30. Locker, though, remains a bit of a mystery.

The former University of Washington quarterback, who has been bothered by a sore chest, saw extensive playing time against the Saints last week after Hasselbeck left with the calf injury. It would be his first regular-season NFL start if he got the call Sunday.

“[Locker is] very fast and he’s pretty explosive outside of the pocket, as was demonstrated last week on his touchdown run. But he can also throw the ball,” Caldwell said.

“He made some impressive throws as well. He’s got good touch, and I just think he’s a pretty complete guy. So he does pose a lot of problems for you.”

Johnson running well — Despite the Colts’ problems in stopping the run against the rest of the league over the years, the team has done a pretty good job in the past at slowing down Tennessee running back Chris Johnson.

In six career games against Indianapolis, Johnson has rushed for 408 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee has a 2-4 record against the Colts games that Johnson has played. He has averaged 68.0 rushing yards per game, 32.0 receiving yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry.

Still, as evidenced by recent games against the rest of the NFL, the fleet-footed runner is still a dangerous weapon in the Titans’ offensive arsenal.

“[The Titans are] taking advantage of his skill set, and I think he’s back in his groove,” Caldwell said. “He looks pretty good to me. He’s still just as explosive as ever. They’re getting the ball in his hands quite a bit, both in the passing game and also handing it to him as well. He’s still like lightning in a bottle.”

Injury list — It’s still uncertain whether weak side linebacker Philip Wheeler (foot) will be available for Sunday’s game. Wheeler was injured in the second half of last week’s loss to the Ravens.

“He is day-to-day,” the Colts coach said.

Caldwell said the same thing about tight end Dallas Clark (burner) chances of playing against the Titans.

Clark, who had missed three game with a broken fibula, was injured in last week’s loss to Baltimore.

“Dallas is day-to-day and hopefully he’ll continue to improve,” he added. “He’s improving, but we’ll see how fast.”

Wheeler, Clark, defensive end Jamaal Anderson (groin), linebacker A.J. Edds (ankle), defensive end Robert Mathis (knee), and center Jeff Saturday (rest) did not practice on Thursday.

What do you guys think about this.

INDIANAPOLIS —
The Indianapolis Colts defense is preparing to face a two-pronged offensive attack when the Tennessee Titans visit Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.

Either veteran Matt Hasselbeck or rookie Jake Locker will get the start at quarterback and both offer specific skills that could give the Colts problems.

Hasselbeck is not known as a scrambler out of the pocket but can keep plays alive with his mobility behind the line of scrimmage. Locker, meanwhile, can present all sorts of issues with his legs and his arm.

“You have to assess both [Hasselbeck and Locker. Hasselbeck has been around for a while and the reports are that we think he will be there and be ready to go,” coach Jim Caldwell previewed Thursday.

“So that’s what we’ll prepare for. But, also, we’ll take a look at Locker as well, and make certain that we get prepared for him also.”

Hasselbeck is nursing a sore left calf that he hurt in last week’s home loss to New Orleans. Locker has been getting most of the work behind center this week but Titans first-year coach Mike Munchak is going to wait before formally announcing a starter.

Hasselbeck started and went the entire way in Tennessee’s 27-10 win over the Colts at Nashville’s LP Field on Oct. 30. Locker, though, remains a bit of a mystery.

The former University of Washington quarterback, who has been bothered by a sore chest, saw extensive playing time against the Saints last week after Hasselbeck left with the calf injury. It would be his first regular-season NFL start if he got the call Sunday.

“[Locker is] very fast and he’s pretty explosive outside of the pocket, as was demonstrated last week on his touchdown run. But he can also throw the ball,” Caldwell said.

“He made some impressive throws as well. He’s got good touch, and I just think he’s a pretty complete guy. So he does pose a lot of problems for you.”

I I I

n Johnson running well — Despite the Colts’ problems in stopping the run against the rest of the league over the years, the team has done a pretty good job in the past at slowing down Tennessee running back Chris Johnson.

In six career games against Indianapolis, Johnson has rushed for 408 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee has a 2-4 record against the Colts games that Johnson has played. He has averaged 68.0 rushing yards per game, 32.0 receiving yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry.

Still, as evidenced by recent games against the rest of the NFL, the fleet-footed runner is still a dangerous weapon in the Titans’ offensive arsenal.

“[The Titans are] taking advantage of his skill set, and I think he’s back in his groove,” Caldwell said. “He looks pretty good to me. He’s still just as explosive as ever. They’re getting the ball in his hands quite a bit, both in the passing game and also handing it to him as well. He’s still like lightning in a bottle.”

n Injury list — It’s still uncertain whether weak side linebacker Philip Wheeler (foot) will be available for Sunday’s game. Wheeler was injured in the second half of last week’s loss to the Ravens.

“He is day-to-day,” the Colts coach said.

Caldwell said the same thing about tight end Dallas Clark (burner) chances of playing against the Titans.

Clark, who had missed three game with a broken fibula, was injured in last week’s loss to Baltimore.

“Dallas is day-to-day and hopefully he’ll continue to improve,” he added. “He’s improving, but we’ll see how fast.”

Wheeler, Clark, defensive end Jamaal Anderson (groin), linebacker A.J. Edds (ankle), defensive end Robert Mathis (knee), and center Jeff Saturday (rest) did not practice on Thursday.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

By Alex Boeder

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Dec 14, 2011 – While Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been cleared to throw according to head coach Jim Caldwell, he is still not practicing with the team.

Manning, who has already been ruled out for the entire season, was just one of seven Colts who did not practice on Wednesday, along with tight end Dallas Clark (burner), defensive end Dwight Freeney (not injury related), defensive end Roger Mathis (knee), linebacker A.J. Edds (ankle), defensive end Jamaal Anderson (groin) and linebacker Phillip Wheeler (foot).

Meanwhile, wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (groin) did participate fully in practice on Wednesday.

Two players on the opposing Tennessee Titans have already been ruled out: running back Javon Ringer (hand) and safety Anthony Smith (groin).

Manning will be throwing as part of his rehabilitation from neck surgery, which he underwent on Sept. 8.

The Colts, 0-13, have just three more chances to avoid the 2008 Detroit Lions in the infamy of an 0-16 season.

Read More: Jamaal Anderson (DE – IND), Dallas Clark (TE – IND), Dwight Freeney (DE – IND), Peyton Manning (QB – IND), Indianapolis Colts

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Feel free to leave your comments below.

Peyton Manning can still throw a football! As minor as this seems, this is big news for fans of Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. It’s been over three months since his last surgery and Manning recently got news that he is progressing. Coach Jim Caldwell announced on December 14 that Manning has begun throwing the ball again. He has yet to participate in practice but throwing the ball is a step forward.

The most important news will be whether Manning’s body responds well to increased activity. If he suffers no setback, Manning would very much be on pace to play at the beginning of the 2012 season. If he is in fact healthy, there is no doubt he should be playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Andrew Luck could also be in Indianapolis, but there is no doubt that Peyton Manning would be the quarterback.

As a fan of the team, it’s nice to hear any positive news on Manning. Indianapolis Colt fans have had very little positive news in 2011 and any progress for Manning is great news. Indianapolis is trying not to go winless after an 0-13 start to the season in 2011. Fans have had to suffer through seeing Manning watching the team from the sidelines this season.

For fans who questioned all year why Manning was still on the active roster, they may soon have an answer. If Manning is healthy enough and gets cleared to practice, he should. It will help a lot more to have him line up on the field and throw to the ball to Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie than equipment managers and trainers. This is the reason Indianapolis has held out a roster spot for Manning in 2011. Owner Jim Irsay recently said that Manning is unlikely to suit up and play in games in 2011 at this point.

Even if they end the year 0-16, fans should all be encouraged if Manning is in pads and practicing with teammates soon. As a big fan of Manning, it leaves me excited and encouraged for the future.

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and has been a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and follows the team closely. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Leave your comments on the news below.

Note: The opinions expressed here are my takes on each player’s individual matchup. As always, use your best judgment and conduct your own research on who to start or bench each week. You know your individual team and/or league situation better than anyone else.

Dan Orlovsky, QB

Averaging just 14.70 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks, Orlovsky is not the fantasy quarterback you want on your team leading you in the playoffs. He scored just 8.44 fantasy points last week against the Baltimore Ravens but looks to have a better matchup this week against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee is giving up 15.54 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season but even if he were to hit his average, confidence is low during the playoffs when solid games are necessary.

Donald Brown, RB

Averaging 9.80 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks, Brown has been a surprise performer for owners in deeper leagues. He had a tough game against the Ravens last week scoring only 2.20 fantasy points but looks to rebound this week against the Titans. Tennessee is allowing 18.41 fantasy points per game to running backs this season but much like Orlovsky, my confidence in him during the playoffs is slim. RB Joseph Addai is also back in action but remains unreliable for the rest of the season.

Reggie Wayne, WR

Averaging 9.30 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks, Wayne remains one Indianapolis Colts player I am confident in throughout the fantasy playoffs. He scored just 4.10 fantasy points last week against a tough Ravens team but looks to rebound this week against the Titans. Tennessee is giving up 17.61 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, so while he is not expected to have a huge game, he is a reliable No. 3 receiver this week.

Pierre Garcon, WR

Averaging 11.70 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks, Garcon is undoubtedly the best fantasy player on the Colts’ team. While he scored only 4.60 fantasy points last week against the Ravens, he has a good matchup against the Titans and remains Orlovsky’s top target. His risk lies only in the fact Orlovsky is under center.

Jacob Tamme, TE

Both Tamme and TE Dallas Clark should not be given any consideration during the fantasy playoffs. While Tamme did score 7.30 fantasy points last week, it was due to a single 13-yard touchdown reception.

Adam Vinatieri, K

Averaging just 5.50 fantasy pointsper game in the last four weeks, Vinatieri is best suited on the waiver wire for the remainder of the season. It is sad for a kicker who has had such a great career, but history does not translate into fantasy points when gunning for a league championship.

Defense

Averaging 4.30 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks, the Colts’ team defense belongs on the waiver wire with Vinatieri for the remainder of the season.

Sources:

All data provided by Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football

Paul Rados is an avid fantasy football participant and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

That’s all for today.

Thanks for visiting our blog =).

Posted: Sunday, December 11, 2011 8:47 pm
|


Updated: 8:48 pm, Sun Dec 11, 2011.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

BALTIMORE (AP) — As long as
Terrell Suggs
continues to go harass opposing quarterbacks, and if defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano repeatedly finds the perfect blitzes
to call, the
Baltimore Ravens
will keep on winning without
Ray Lewis
.

Suggs had three sacks and forced three fumbles as part of an overwhelming defensive performance by the Ravens, who kept the

Indianapolis Colts
winless with a 24-10 victory Sunday.

Lewis, Baltimore’s standout middle linebacker and longtime defensive leader, missed a fourth straight game with a right toe
injury. The Ravens (10-3) have won every one of those games.

“Right now I think we’re all just doing our part holding the levee until the general gets back,” Suggs said. “That’s why I
honestly think we’re playing the way we are.”

Baltimore limited the hapless Colts to 167 yards – just 53 through three quarters. Were it not for a touchdown on the game’s
final play, Indianapolis would have been held without a TD for only the second time since the 2003 season opener.

Baltimore didn’t recover any of the three fumbles that Suggs forced, but he harassed Colts quarterback
Dan Orlovsky
throughout the afternoon.

“We shut them down early, and then they had to start passing the ball,” Ravens defensive tackle
Haloti Ngata
said. “That’s when
Terrell Suggs
went crazy.”

Suggs, a movie buff, described the action this way: “It’s chaos out there. A lot is going on more than you see. It’s like
`The Matrix’ out there with a little bit of `Inception’. It’s a little bit crazy.”

Joe Flacco
threw two touchdown passes and
Ray Rice
ran for 103 yards and a score to help the Ravens win their fourth straight and improve to 7-0 at home. Baltimore is tied with
Pittsburgh for the lead in the AFC North, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker because of their two wins over the Steelers.

“We have control of our own destiny,” Rice said. “We’re in the driver’s seat. As long as we keep winning, we’ll be fine.”

The Ravens had lost eight straight to Indianapolis, but that was when
Peyton Manning
was healthy and at the top of his game. He has yet to play this year because of a neck injury.

Orlovsky, the third Colts quarterback to start this season, went 17 for 37 for 136 yards and an interception. He was sacked
four times and hounded throughout the game by Suggs.

“He’s as good a pass rusher as I’ve played against,” Orlovsky said of Suggs. “I can’t say anything bad about him as a football
player.”

Suggs attributed Baltimore’s success to the schemes set in place by Pagano, in his first season as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator.
To emphasize the point, Suggs sarcastically made Pagano out to be clueless.

“If anybody trying to hire a head coach, if they ask me I’m going to tell them he (stinks),” Suggs said. “He’s a terrible
coach and his players don’t love him. He don’t know what he’s doing when he’s calling a game.”

The game was far more lopsided than the final score would indicate. Baltimore led 17-3 at halftime and 24-3 in the third quarter,
and the Colts drove 76 yards in the final two minutes in a drive that ended with Orlovsky throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass
to
Jacob Tamme
as time expired.

Indianapolis has three games left in the season. If the Colts don’t win, they will join the 2008
Detroit Lions
as the only NFL team to go 0-16 in a season.

“Losing (stinks), no matter what it is,” Orlovsky said. “Whether it’s football, if it’s rock-paper, none of us like to lose.
There’s nothing fun about losing.”

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said, “We need to find a way to get our team better so we can get a victory. And not just one. We’re
running out of time.”

The Ravens needed less than five minutes to take the lead for good. After the Colts went three and out following the opening
kickoff,
Lardarius Webb
returned a punt 27 yards to the Indianapolis 40 and Flacco capped a six-play drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to
Torrey Smith
.

Baltimore’s next march covered 66 yards over 13 plays and ended with a 36-yard field goal by
Billy Cundiff
for a 10-0 lead.

The first quarter ended with the Ravens holding a 111-10 advantage in yardage and an 8-1 lead in first downs.

Nothing changed in the second quarter. Baltimore forced a punt and Flacco went 5 for 7 for 54 yards in a 10-play drive that
ended with a 6-yard touchdown run by Rice.

Indianapolis finally got into Baltimore territory when
Joe Lefeged
returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards. Orlovsky then completed a fourth-down pass to
Dallas Clark
, and
Adam Vinatieri
kicked a field goal to make it 17-3 late in the half.

Baltimore went ahead 24-3 with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Flacco rolled to his right and was near the sideline when he
threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to
Dennis Pitta
in the middle of the end zone.

Flacco went 23 for 31 for 227 yards and an interception.

NOTES: Suggs has a career-high 13 sacks. … The Colts have only six INTs this season. … Flacco went over 3,000 yards passing
and Rice eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing. … Smith’s TD gave him six, tying Jamal Lewis for most by a Ravens rookie. … Indy’s

Dwight Freeney
had two sacks to go over 100 for his career.

© 2011 STATS LLC

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Gotta run!.

BALTIMORE (AP)—Ever the optimist, Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell
remains confident there’s still a victory—or more—to be had in the weeks
ahead.

After the Colts fell to 0-13 with a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on
Sunday, the beleaguered coach said, “We just have to find a way to get our team
better so we can get a victory. And not just one. We need to stack a few on top
of each other. We’re running out of time.”

So too is Caldwell, whose job appears in jeopardy as the Colts try to avoid
joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only NFL team in history to finish 0-16.

Even though Indianapolis has been without injured quarterback Peyton Manning
for the entire season, the Colts’ problems extend well beyond that.

“I really don’t focus on myself. … There’s no self-pity or anything of
that nature,” Caldwell said. “Really, I’m concerned about the men who play for
us, making sure these guys keep their heads up, keep fighting to the end. Those
are the things that really matter.”

From that perspective, the Colts at least made their coach proud Sunday.
Despite being harassed by a relentless Ravens defense all afternoon, Dan
Orlovsky directed a late scoring drive, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to
Jacob Tamme on the game’s final play.

“The guys kept fighting,” Caldwell said. “But obviously, it’s little
consolation in a game like this.”

Precisely. The Colts trailed 17-3 at halftime and had only 53 yards in
offense through three quarters.

“Losing (stinks), no matter what it is,” said Dan Orlovsky, who was 17 for
37 for 136 yards. “Whether it’s football, if it’s rock-paper, none of us like
to lose. There’s nothing fun about losing.”

Terrell Suggs had three sacks and forced three fumbles for the Ravens, who
have won four straight without injured middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

“They’re one of the best defenses in the league statistically in every
category for a reason,” said Orlovsky, the third quarterback to start this
season for Indianapolis. “Are they the best defense in the NFL? I don’t know.
But I’d like to watch one better.”

Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes and Ray Rice ran for 103 yards and a
score to help the Ravens win their fourth straight and improve to 7-0 at home.

Baltimore is tied with Pittsburgh for the lead in the AFC North, but the
Ravens hold the tiebreaker because of their two wins over the Steelers.

“We have control of our own destiny,” Rice said. “We’re in the driver’s
seat. As long as we keep winning, we’ll be fine.”

The Ravens had lost eight straight to Indianapolis, but that was when
Manning was healthy and at the top of his game.

The game was far more lopsided than the final score would indicate.
Baltimore led 17-3 at halftime and 24-3 in the third quarter, and the Colts
drove 76 yards in the final two minutes in a drive that ended with Orlovsky’s TD
pass as time expired.

`It just shows that you play as hard as you can until the end,” Colts
center Jeff Saturday said. “You can’t give up. At least it shows we were still
playing hard.”

The Ravens needed less than five minutes to take the lead for good. After
the Colts went three and out following the opening kickoff, Lardarius Webb
returned a punt 27 yards to the Indianapolis 40 and Flacco capped a six-play
drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.

Baltimore’s next march covered 66 yards over 13 plays and ended with a
36-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff for a 10-0 lead.

The first quarter ended with the Ravens holding a 111-10 advantage in
yardage and an 8-1 lead in first downs.

Nothing changed in the second quarter. Baltimore forced a punt and Flacco
went 5 for 7 for 54 yards in a 10-play drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown
run by Rice.

Indianapolis finally got into Baltimore territory when Joe Lefeged returned
the ensuing kickoff 51 yards. Orlovsky then completed a fourth-down pass to
Dallas Clark, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal to make it 17-3 late in the
half.

Baltimore went ahead 24-3 with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Flacco rolled
to his right and was near the sideline when he threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to
Dennis Pitta in the middle of the end zone.

Flacco went 23 for 31 for 227 yards and an interception.

NOTES: Suggs has a career-high 13 sacks. … The Colts have only six INTs
this season. … Flacco went over 3,000 yards passing and Rice eclipsed 1,000
yards rushing. … Smith’s TD gave him six, tying Jamal Lewis for most by a
Ravens rookie. … Indy’s Dwight Freeney had two sacks to go over 100 for his
career.

What do you guys think about this.

BALTIMORE (AP) — As long as
Terrell Suggs
continues to go harass opposing quarterbacks, and if defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano repeatedly finds the perfect blitzes
to call, the
Baltimore Ravens
will keep on winning without
Ray Lewis
.

Suggs had three sacks and forced three fumbles as part of an overwhelming defensive performance by the Ravens, who kept the

Indianapolis Colts
winless with a 24-10 victory Sunday.

Lewis, Baltimore’s standout middle linebacker and longtime defensive leader, missed a fourth straight game with a right toe
injury. The Ravens (10-3) have won every one of those games.

“Right now I think we’re all just doing our part holding the levee until the general gets back,” Suggs said. “That’s why I
honestly think we’re playing the way we are.”

Baltimore limited the hapless Colts to 167 yards – just 53 through three quarters. Were it not for a touchdown on the game’s
final play, Indianapolis would have been held without a TD for only the second time since the 2003 season opener.

Baltimore didn’t recover any of the three fumbles that Suggs forced, but he harassed Colts quarterback
Dan Orlovsky
throughout the afternoon.

“We shut them down early, and then they had to start passing the ball,” Ravens defensive tackle
Haloti Ngata
said. “That’s when
Terrell Suggs
went crazy.”

Suggs, a movie buff, described the action this way: “It’s chaos out there. A lot is going on more than you see. It’s like
`The Matrix’ out there with a little bit of `Inception’. It’s a little bit crazy.”

Joe Flacco
threw two touchdown passes and
Ray Rice
ran for 103 yards and a score to help the Ravens win their fourth straight and improve to 7-0 at home. Baltimore is tied with
Pittsburgh for the lead in the AFC North, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker because of their two wins over the Steelers.

“We have control of our own destiny,” Rice said. “We’re in the driver’s seat. As long as we keep winning, we’ll be fine.”

The Ravens had lost eight straight to Indianapolis, but that was when
Peyton Manning
was healthy and at the top of his game. He has yet to play this year because of a neck injury.

Orlovsky, the third Colts quarterback to start this season, went 17 for 37 for 136 yards and an interception. He was sacked
four times and hounded throughout the game by Suggs.

“He’s as good a pass rusher as I’ve played against,” Orlovsky said of Suggs. “I can’t say anything bad about him as a football
player.”

Suggs attributed Baltimore’s success to the schemes set in place by Pagano, in his first season as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator.
To emphasize the point, Suggs sarcastically made Pagano out to be clueless.

“If anybody trying to hire a head coach, if they ask me I’m going to tell them he (stinks),” Suggs said. “He’s a terrible
coach and his players don’t love him. He don’t know what he’s doing when he’s calling a game.”

The game was far more lopsided than the final score would indicate. Baltimore led 17-3 at halftime and 24-3 in the third quarter,
and the Colts drove 76 yards in the final two minutes in a drive that ended with Orlovsky throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass
to
Jacob Tamme
as time expired.

Indianapolis has three games left in the season. If the Colts don’t win, they will join the 2008
Detroit Lions
as the only NFL team to go 0-16 in a season.

“Losing (stinks), no matter what it is,” Orlovsky said. “Whether it’s football, if it’s rock-paper, none of us like to lose.
There’s nothing fun about losing.”

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said, “We need to find a way to get our team better so we can get a victory. And not just one. We’re
running out of time.”

The Ravens needed less than five minutes to take the lead for good. After the Colts went three and out following the opening
kickoff,
Lardarius Webb
returned a punt 27 yards to the Indianapolis 40 and Flacco capped a six-play drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to
Torrey Smith
.

Baltimore’s next march covered 66 yards over 13 plays and ended with a 36-yard field goal by
Billy Cundiff
for a 10-0 lead.

The first quarter ended with the Ravens holding a 111-10 advantage in yardage and an 8-1 lead in first downs.

Nothing changed in the second quarter. Baltimore forced a punt and Flacco went 5 for 7 for 54 yards in a 10-play drive that
ended with a 6-yard touchdown run by Rice.

Indianapolis finally got into Baltimore territory when
Joe Lefeged
returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards. Orlovsky then completed a fourth-down pass to
Dallas Clark
, and
Adam Vinatieri
kicked a field goal to make it 17-3 late in the half.

Baltimore went ahead 24-3 with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Flacco rolled to his right and was near the sideline when he
threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to
Dennis Pitta
in the middle of the end zone.

Flacco went 23 for 31 for 227 yards and an interception.

NOTES: Suggs has a career-high 13 sacks. … The Colts have only six INTs this season. … Flacco went over 3,000 yards passing
and Rice eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing. … Smith’s TD gave him six, tying Jamal Lewis for most by a Ravens rookie. … Indy’s

Dwight Freeney
had two sacks to go over 100 for his career.

© 2011 STATS LLC

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How bad will the Indianapolis Colts lose this week? It will likely be pretty bad. There is almost no chance that Indianapolis has a chance to beat the Baltimore Ravens in their week 14 matchup. The two teams are headed in opposite directions this season. Indianapolis is 0-12 on the season and appears headed for the top pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Baltimore is 9-3 on the season and is preparing for the 2011 NFL playoffs. This game should prove the direction that each team is headed.

To make matters worse, Indianapolis this week lost three significant defensive players. Cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Terrance Johnson as well as defensive tackle Drake Nevis were all placed on injured reserve this week. Indianapolis’ cornerbacks will be very inexperienced in this game and Joe Flacco will likely look to test them downfield. Jacob Lacey is the only player remaining with any NFL experience and even he was benched earlier this season for his poor play. If Baltimore can pass the ball well, it could be a long day for the Colts.

Good news for fans is that both tight end Dallas Clark and middle linebacker Pat Angerer are expected to play. Angerer is a key to the defense and has been arguably the most consistent player on the Indianapolis defense this year. Clark has missed the last three games with a leg injury. His return will certainly help the passing game but shouldn’t do much to help win the game.

Dan Orlovsky played well last week and provided a big spark for the offense. This Baltimore defense is very good though and will provide a challenge for the inexperienced Indianapolis offensive line. The offense should try to establish Joseph Addai and build upon the recent success of Donald Brown.

In the end, these two teams are headed in different directions and Indianapolis stands no chance to win the game. This loss will surely push them to 0-13 and leave them with just three chances remaining to get a win in the 2011 season. Fans should hope that this game ends quickly and they can move on to next week where they will try for their first win this year.

Prediction: Ravens 34, Colts 10

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and has been a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and follows the team closely. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

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