Indianapolis @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2016 ) Baltimore 19, Indianapolis 18

The Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a familiar position as last season with two games remaining on their schedule, albeit with a favorable twist. Instead of two tough road games on their slate like in 2016, the Ravens begin a stretch of consecutive contests at M&T Bank Stadium with Saturday's tilt versus the reeling Indianapolis Colts.

"We got to remind ourselves that we were 8-6 last year and we didn't get it done. Let that drive us," safety Eric Weddle said of his team that is bidding to secure its first postseason berth since 2014. Baltimore currently resides on the outside looking in based on the strength-of-victory tiebreaker with current No. 6 seed Buffalo, but the Ravens will vault ahead with a win regardless of Sunday's outcome for the Bills based on common games. Like Baltimore, Indianapolis simplified its postseason plans - as in, ended them - with losses in eight of its last nine games, including five straight in which it failed to score over 17 points. "We understand where we're at; we understand what the record is," coach Chuck Pagano said. "But we've got two more opportunities and thank God we have two more opportunities. We get another opportunity to go compete. We'll prepare and do what we're supposed to do."

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Ravens -13.5. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE COLTS (3-11): Jacoby Brissett has been battered to the tune of sustaining a league-high 49 sacks this season, with linebacker Terrell Suggs (team-leading 11 sacks) anxiously awaiting to get his piece of the pie for Baltimore. Tight end Jack Doyle (team-leading 71 catches) is one of the rare bright spots on an ailing Colts' offense, as he reeled in seven receptions for the second time in four games in a 25-13 loss to Denver on Dec. 14. Impressive to be certain, but Indianapolis is in the midst of a season it would like to forget, highlighted by a 31st-ranked offense, 30th-ranked defense and the lack of a Pro Bowl selection for the first time in 20 years.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (8-6): Joe Flacco threw for a touchdown and rushed for another in a 27-10 victory over winless Cleveland on Sunday. The 32-year-old has gashed the Colts for four scores in his last two encounters at home and is four touchdown passes shy of becoming first quarterback in franchise history with 200-plus in his career. Alex Collins has rushed for five touchdowns in his past five games while fellow running back Javorius Allen ran for a team-leading 70 yards versus the Browns. Baltimore's opportunistic defense has provided some offense of its own, scoring five touchdowns while forcing 33 takeaways this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Baltimore P Sam Koch was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after placing three punts inside the 5-yard line against Cleveland.

2. Colts LB Jon Bostic (knee) and C Ryan Kelly (concussion) were placed on injured reserve.

3. With the sixth seed in sight, the Ravens wrap up their regular season against Cincinnati while the Bills play at New England on Sunday and at Miami next week.

PREDICTION: Ravens 26, Colts 10