MNF Week 5 Betting Preview, Odds, and Prediction: Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

MNF Week 5 Betting Preview, Odds, and Prediction: Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Date: Monday, October 11, 2021

Time: 8:15 PM ET

Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Where To Watch: ESPN

Baltimore Ravens Record: 3-1-0 SU, 2-2-0 ATS

Indianapolis Colts Record: 1-3-0 SU, 2-2-0 ATS

Click Here To See Ravens vs. Colts MNF Betting Odds

MNF Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts Preview

High expectations preceded Baltimore and Indianapolis as both outfits went into the 2021 NFL season tipped inside the list of Top 10 best-bets to win Super Bowl 56. Now, with almost a third of the season in the books, the prognosis isn't so optimistic. Well, not for the Indianapolis Colts, who only just cracked the win column in Week 4, and go into this Monday night football tilt against the Baltimore Ravens sporting a 1-3 record. 

Another defeat for Frank Reich's side would be equivalent to disaster because teams that start 1-4 straight up (SU) seldom make the playoffs. So, in short, their season is likely on the line here, and that equates to pressure. 

The Baltimore Ravens recovered from a shocking upset by the Las Vegas Raiders in their season-opening, Monday night football showdown at the Allegiant Stadium by reeling off three straight wins. This positive run of form began with a gauntlet-throwing victory, clinching their first-ever win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Granted, it was a narrow 36-35 win over the Chiefs at M&T Stadium, and they had a little bit of luck go their way too. But that's just the way it goes sometimes. Lamar Jackson isn't going to apologize for winning, nor is John Harbaugh or the rest of the team. The point is they got the win, and they fought hard and battled fiercely to get it.

By all accounts, this matchup was expected to be a marquee showdown between the best of the AFC. It's why the NFL schedulers chose it for the Monday primetime slot. Alas, with these teams headed in opposite directions, it's a mismatched clash between a 1-3 and 3-1 team. Thus, books are cornering this game with the Ravens across the board. 

Baltimore Ravens Overview  

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are rolling behind a three-game winning streak that includes wins over the Chiefs, Lions, and Broncos. Beating the Chiefs proved to be the catalyst for this positive run of form, propelling the Ravens on a wave of optimism and boldness. Some of the bold acts include Lamar Jackson going for it on a fourth down to ice the game against the Chiefs and Justin Tucker scoring a record 66-yard field goal to clinch the 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 3. 

Recently, the Ravens delivered their most comfortable victory – beating the Denver Broncos 23-7 at Mile High. Teddy Bridgewater's concussion did make the job of winning a lot easier, though. Backup Drew Lock stepped in for Bridgewater, but he was overwhelmed by the occasion and the Ravens defense. 

As things currently stand, the Ravens are stuck in a three-way tie with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns at the top of the AFC North table. So, they can ill-afford to lose this MNF game if they hope to keep pace with their rivals. 

Of course, the Ravens have the advantage because they'll better understand how the division stacks up before Monday. Should the Bengals (vs. Packers) or the Browns (vs. Raiders) lose their games, the path to the top will be clear of any obstacles. On the other hand, should one or both win their games on Sunday, the pressure on the Ravens to win will be greater.

Indianapolis Colts Overview

The Indianapolis Colts have had a tough start to their 2021 campaign, and Carson Wentz's catalog of injuries hasn't helped his cause. Wentz's reunion with Frank Reich was supposed to pay dividends for the team and quarterback. So it was billed in the lead-up to Week 1. However, things haven't gone to plan.

Wentz's injuries are one contributing factor, but they're not the only factor. Wentz has been on the decline for several years, but for the longest time, the blame was placed elsewhere. Coaching, injuries, gameplans, not the right personnel, you name it, it's been trotted out as a reason for Wentz's poor play over the last few years with Philadelphia.

Well, after four games with the Colts, it's clear that Wentz is simply not cutting it in Indianapolis. The offense isn't clicking with Wentz under center. It lacks imagination, creativity, and initiative. Keep in mind, the Colts had Philip Rivers on a one-year deal last season, and they did alright with the veteran, reaching the playoffs behind an 11-5 record.

Recently, the Colts beat the Dolphins 27-17 on the road to clinch their first win. How much stock bettors can put in that victory, though, is debatable because the Dolphins are just as much of a hot mess as the Colts are right now. 

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts Odds

Click Here To See Ravens vs. Colts MNF Betting Odds

Books opened this game on a 7-point point spread on Sunday, and the NFL line has held strong for the most part. So should bettors bet this line now or later? 

Early bettors have been pounding the Colts for this game, which could bring this line down below the key number 7 before Monday. So, there's an argument to play the wait-and-see game if the Ravens are the choice bet.

There was some suggestion of Lamar Jackson being injured, but he's recently come out to reassure fans that he's 101%. If that is the case, this line could very well tick up higher before kick-off. That would take the value away from Baltimore. In which case, betting now could be the better move. 

Ultimately, how to bet this game will also be determined whether you're buying what the Colts or the Ravens are selling.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview

The market for this game isn't surprising giving the contrasting fortunes of the Ravens and Colts. However, what is surprising is that the public is backing the Colts at early doors and grabbing the points with the road underdogs. That's a risky bet if ever there was one. 

One motivation for this trend might be the Ravens, who had three out of their four games decided by a few points. This trend has led some to suggest that the Ravens haven't played convincingly. But an alternative view would be to consider the quality of the opponent in the first two games. The Raiders and Chiefs are excellent teams, and they deserve some credit for playing the Ravens close. The Lions game, however, was an aberration. An explanation might be the hangover effects after beating the Chiefs. 

The point is, the Ravens might be better than they're getting credit for, and the Colts might be worse than they're being projected. Thus, this could be more of a blowout than the NFL odds would suggest.