Divisional Playoff Preview: Ravens @ Colts

Baltimore @ Indianapolis (Sat. 8:15, CBS)
Peyton Manning and most of the Colts starters have not played a meaningful game in over a month while the Ravens are coming off a very dominant performance against the Patriots last Sunday. Last time these two teams met in the playoffs it was only field goals that were score in a Baltimore win at home.
For the Ravens, the main keys to the game start with Ray Rice. Rice, along with Willis McGahee and La'Ron McClain, ran all over the New England defense and look for Baltimore to try and pound the ball up the middle of the Colts' defense. Joe Flacco did not even attempt twenty passes last week which could prove disasturous if the run game fails because all year long Flacco's arm has played second fiddle to the legs of the running backs. If Flacco has a big day through the air it will be because of Derrick Mason and Todd Heap, who are his most reliable targets.
On defense, the only concern is the secondary, which did a great job last week on Randy Moss. But Tom Brady is not Peyton Manning. Manning knows how to find a hole in the secondary better than any quarterback in the league. The Colts' run game can be easily stopped by Ray Lewis and the front 7 but it will come down to the performance of the Ravens' secondary.
The Colts have the advantage on offense because of Peyton Manning. Manning has put up great numbers yet again this season with an inexperienced group of wideouts. Before the season, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie were no-names around the nation but thanks to Manning and an injury to Anthony Gonzalez, the two have become the third and fourth option for Manning. His top two targets are Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Clark has put up career numbers this season and will need to beat the Baltimore linebackers in coverage to open up the run game led by Joseph Addai.
On defense, there is also one main key: stop the run. The defensive line led by Raheem Brock up the middle and the linebacking corps led by Gary Brackett will have a lot on their hands with the triple threat in the Baltimore run game. Look for the linebackers to also play tight coverage on Todd Heap, and even the defensive backs can cover him but they do not matchup as well. The lack of potential in the Ravens' pass game will give the Colts an opportunity to focus on defending the run.
5 Players to Watch for the Ravens
RB Ray Rice
LB Ray Lewis
S Dawan Landry
TE Todd Heap
QB Joe Flacco
5 Players to Watch for the Colts
QB Peyton Manning
TE Dallas Clark
DT Raheem Brock
DE Dwight Freeney
WR Pierre Garcon
Key Matchup: Baltimore O-Line vs. Indy D-Line
Prediction: Colts