FanHouse Joshthomas

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the league's marquee franchises in the present tense. In 2008, they won 12 games -- their baseline figure for the past six seasons. No one else in the NFL can stake that claim. In fact, they've made the playoffs in nine of the last 10 seasons overall, another league-high in that span.

The problem, as has been the case far too many times for these Colts, was that they came away empty-handed in the postseason.

To get you ready for week 14, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Indianapolis Colts/Baltimore Ravens preview.

2007 Records:

Indianapolis Colts: 10-2 (1st in AFC South)
Baltimore Ravens: 4-8 (t-3rd in AFC North)

Last Week:

Colts 28, Jaguars 25
Patriots 27, Ravens 24

When the Colts have the ball: Unless you've been living in Estonia for the past decade, it's not much of a secret what the Colts are going to do offensively or what the Ravens will do defensively. The Colts are going to spread the defense as wide as they can and then attack the seams. The Ravens are going to attack and take chances that offer great reward and great risk. That's to the Colts advantage in the passing game. Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle haven't been in tip-top shape all season and their other corners are a motley crew that will struggle to keep up with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Because Dallas Clark is a favored target for Peyton Manning, Ed Reed won't be able to freelance. That limits the Ravens aggressiveness and gives Manning time to find the right guy. On the ground, though, the Ravens should be able to shoot gaps and control Joseph Addai which could open up the blitz as the game wears on.