Is the offense going to build off the momentum from its Week 16 performance against the Giants?
Regardless of any momentum, this is a favorable matchup for the Ravens' offense. For as productive as the Colts' offense has been behind rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, Indianapolis's defense has struggled. The Colts allowed just 29 total points in their last two games, but they finished the regular season ranked third-worst in the AFC in total defense, third-worst in the conference in rushing defense and sixth-worst in pass defense. They also finished the regular season with just 32 sacks, the fifth-fewest in the AFC. They've been gashed for 613 yards on the ground in their last three games, including 352 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. Seven different running backs have eclipsed 100 yards rushing against Indianapolis this year, including four that finished with 161 yards or more. The Colts surrendered an average of 5.1 yards per carry during the regular season, the highest such mark in the AFC.
Can the Ravens' defense slow down Luck and Indianapolis's offense?
For as much as the Ravens' defense has struggled at various points throughout the season - and for as depleted as they've been by injuries - the defense has actually played pretty well since Baltimore's bye week in late October. The Ravens allowed a league-low 14.5 points per game in November and allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game (299.0) during the final six games of the regular season. Second-year player Josh Bynes has stepped up at middle linebacker - and is expected to continue to have a role even with Ray Lewis returning to the lineup - while Cary Williams, Corey Graham and Chykie Brown have both stepped up in the secondary. All three will be counted on against a Colts offense that throws the ball nearly 65 percent of the time. Indianapolis has struggled in the running game - averaging just 3.8 yards per carry - but Luck threw for 4,374 yards and 23 touchdowns during the regular season. Reggie Wayne (1,355 yards, five touchdowns) was one of three Indianapolis receivers with 781 yards or more during the regular season.
How much of an impact will Ray Lewis have?
It's still unclear how much of a role Lewis will play just two and a half months after suffering what is typically a three to four month injury. He will play, though, and - for whatever it's worth - said his surgically repaired triceps is physically ready after enduring what he described as "the craziest" 12 weeks of rehab that he's gone through at any point during his career. It would be a surprise if Lewis didn't start, but it would be only be reasonable to expect the Ravens to limit his snaps to a certain degree in his first game action since mid-October. If nothing else, though, Baltimore's players seem genuinely energized by Lewis's return and have repeatedly voiced a desire since Lewis announced his retirement on Wednesday to send the future Hall of Famer out with a Super Bowl, which would obviously first require a win against the Colts.
