Ravens Play Third Prime-Time Game of 2021 vs Colts On MNF

The Baltimore Ravens (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) will go for their fourth straight victory when they host the Indianapolis Colts (1-3, 2-2) as solid home favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark for the Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup.

The Ravens are one of three AFC North teams at 3-1 and have already appeared on MNF once – losing their season opener 33-27 to the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime as 3-point road favorites – before bouncing back with a 36-35 win over the Kansas City Chiefs as 3.5-point home underdogs on Sunday Night Football.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Bettors are backing Baltimore in early action, moving the point spread up slightly to -7. However, there has been bigger movement on the total, which has gone down 1.5 points so far to 46. The Ravens played their best defensive game of the season last Sunday against the Denver Broncos, limiting them to only one touchdown in a 23-7 victory as 1-point road underdogs.

Meanwhile, the Colts did the same thing last week in a 27-17 upset win over the Miami Dolphins as 2.5-point road underdogs. If both teams play to their strengths again here, there may not be more than 45 points, and the public knows that.

Indianapolis News & Notes

Just when you begin to doubt Indianapolis and new quarterback Carson Wentz, they make you pay. That is exactly what happened at Miami, with Wentz passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions while running back Jonathan Taylor stepped up as well with a season-high 103 yards on 16 carries and a score.

With that kind of offensive balance, the Colts could make some noise in the AFC South, especially with all of their divisional foes coming off losses. The Tennessee Titans lead the division at 2-2, but the AFC South is still up for grabs this early in the year, so why not Indianapolis?

Baltimore News & Notes

Unlike its opponent, Baltimore faces very stiff competition in the AFC North and cannot afford to lose any ground in this spot. The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are also 3-1, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have never finished with a losing record in three previous starts of 1-3 or worse under head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations despite some key injuries on offense and defense, and they believe they can overcome them if quarterback Lamar Jackson can continue to evolve as a passer to make himself a true dual threat. Jackson’s accuracy has often come into question, although he was the difference last week with 316 passing yards, connecting on 22 of 37 attempts.

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How Indianapolis Will Cover

The Colts will cover the spread if they can find a way to limit Jackson on the ground and through the air while continuing to generate a balanced offense themselves. That will be much easier said than done, as this is a much more difficult opponent than the Dolphins.

How Baltimore Will Cover

Baltimore figured some things out defensively at Denver, and that could now be trouble for Indianapolis and the rest of the AFC. The Ravens have dominated teams with losing records lately too, winning 15 of 16 in that situation by an average of nearly 17 points.

Computer Pick: Ravens -7

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