Baltimore Ravens

Week 5 of the NFL ends on Monday Night with a AFC clash between the 3-1 Baltimore Ravens and the 1-3 Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are coming off their first win of the season but they are a big road underdog against the Ravens who have rattled off three wins on the trot and are looking to gap the Browns and Bengals who lost yesterday. 

 

Draftstars have this game pegged at a $12,000 contest in the 6-man ‘Flex’ contest whilst another Millionaire Maker is up for grabs on DraftKings in their ‘Showdown’ format. 

 

 

Monday Night Football

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens

Total - 46.5

Spread -7.0 (BAL) 

 

Injuries

 

Both teams have clear injury reports after QB Carson Wentz (ankle) and RB Nyheim Hines (shoulder) fully practiced on Saturday. 


 

DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average)

 

Colts - Overall DVOA 12th 

14th against the Pass (Allowed 216 yards per game via the Pass)

10th against the Run (Allowed 114 yards per game via the Run)

 

Ravens - Overall DVOA 21st

26th against the Pass (Allowed 273 yards per game via the Pass)

5th against the Run (Allowed 85 yards per game via the Run)


 

Fantasy Overview

 

Tough to fall in love with this game with a Colts side that has a Quarterback failing to score 20+ fantasy points this season (injured in Week 3 hasn’t helped) and an attack that has only achieved 100+ rushing yards once (Taylor) and 100+ receiving yards once (Pittman) as well. However this Ravens secondary has leaked receiving yards and fantasy points to receivers, and with the Colts as 7 point dogs on the road, it could see Wentz and his receiving weapons come into play. For the Ravens it is hard to go against Lamar Jackson who is just about matchup proof. However the Colts run a zone defence which should limit Jackson's rushing upside plus harnessing the deep ball threat of Sammy Watkins. 

 

Love It - Lamar Jackson ($23,160 DS $12,600 DK)

 

Don’t really need an explanation on the reasons while we need to play Jackson, but you will need to make sacrifices in your lineup to fit his exorbitant salary. With no injuries from either team creating value, your lineups may look a little off with Jackson included. The Colts defence will make things difficult for Jackson on the ground but he is clearly the best projected player on the slate. 

 

Love It - Mo Alie-Cox ($3,440 DS $5,000 DK)

 

Is this point chasing after 2 TD’s off 3 catches for 42 yards from Week 4? Maybe… But Alie-Cox out snapped and ran more routes than fellow Tight End Jack Doyle in Week 4. The price is cheap enough on Draftstars to make him a flyer against a Ravens defence that has given up a stack of fantasy points to opposition Tight Ends.   

 

Love It - Micheal Pittman Jr ($12,040 DS $9,000 DK)

 

Pittman is the main receiving weapon for the Colts, leading in targets and receptions but scoreless on touchdowns through 4 weeks. It is not through a lack of trying with Wentz trying multiple times within the redzone for the score but Pittman does have the opportunity here as a road underdog. The price on Draftstars is very appealing. 

 

50/50 Call - Sammy Watkins ($11,900 DS $5,800 DK)

 

As I mentioned in the overview, the Colts look to limit big plays by playing a zone defence, forcing your production within the zone. Watkins is in the top 5 of the league for yards per catch yet hasn’t scored a TD through 4 weeks as of yet. The price is tempting on DraftKings to roster Watkins in a ceiling game but I am on the fence here. 

 

Hate It - Ravens Running Backs

 

With the season long injury situation behind them, there are potentially four options for the Ravens that we need to monitor at final teams. Le’Veon Bell was elevated from the practice squad in Week 4 but is likely to go back to the squad this week. Ty’Son Williams was a healthy scratch last week but may get the call to play this week whilst Devonta Freeman has offered zero in terms of fantasy when he played 6 snaps last week. While Latavius Murray did score a touchdown last week, he is averaging 37 yards per game. Regardless of news I am avoiding the RB’s from the Ravens here.  

 

Draftstars Suggested Team

DraftKings Suggested Team

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