EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Prizes:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

If there are ties, a random drawing will determine the winner.

Top 5 Winners:

1. Jasonf78 (500 points)
2. Eileen Coughlin (367 points)
3. Fmjerryone (367 points)
4. Richard Pallerino (350 points)
5. Tom Dobbins (350 points)

Overview:

On Monday, August 20^th, the Baltimore Ravens will be on the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts in week two of the 2018 NFL Preseason.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Ravens 23.6 – Colts 18.8 with an over/under of 42.4.

2017-18 Statistics (32 total teams):

Yards per game:  Ravens 305.4 (27^th) > Colts 284.6 (31^st)

Points per game: Ravens 24.7 (9^th) > Colts 16.4 (30^th)

Turnover margin: Ravens +17 > Colts +5

Yards allowed per game: Ravens 325.1 (12^th) > Colts 367.1 (30^th)

Points allowed per game: Ravens 18.9 (6^th) > Colts 25.2 (30^th)

Summary:

The Ravens finished last season with a (9-7) record and fell just short of reaching the postseason.  Baltimore’s offense definitely took a step back last year but their defense was stout.  Joe Flacco enters his age 33 season after completing 64% of his passes for 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions a year ago.  If Flacco can’t get the job done the Ravens could turn to electric rookie Lamar Jackson.  Jackson showed flashes of his dynamic dual threat potential in his preseason debut but still needs to work on his accuracy before he can be a full-time starter.  The additions of Michael Crabtree and John Brown should provide a huge boost to what was a very underwhelming wide receiver corps a season ago.  The ageless wonder Terrell Suggs can still get to the quarterback while a revamped Baltimore secondary was much improved last year.  Baltimore was one of the best teams in the NFL in regards to turnover margin (+17).  The Ravens (+92) ranked 8^th in the NFL in point differential.

The Colts were just (4-12) a year ago and were last place in the AFC South Division.  Star quarterback Andrew Luck was forced to sit out the entire season with shoulder problems but is expected to start in 2018.  The Colts have struggled protecting Luck in the past and that has led to far too many unnecessary hits.  Indianapolis used the number six overall pick on guard Quentin Nelson who should be a pro bowler for many years.  Ryan Grant and Eric Ebron were welcome additions to a pass receiving corps that will miss Donte Moncrief.  The Colts defense struggled mightily on all levels of the field but especially at linebacker.  Rookie safety Malik Hooker was opening eyes before he suffered a season ending injury.  A healthy Luck will surely improve the Colts but they are not ready to compete in a brutal division.  The Colts ranked 30^th in point differential (-141) last season.

Contest Rules:

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