Colts vs. Ravens Preseason Prediction | NFL Picks Today, Best Bets

The NFL preseason continues on Thursday night with a matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. Indianapolis enters this matchup with all eyes on its offense, headlined by a quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones. Meanwhile, the Ravens head into the season in nearly the complete opposite position, considering they’re the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl this upcoming season. Nonetheless, with football back on our TV, here’s a look at everything you need to know ahead of this showdown. 

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Colts vs. Ravens

• Location: M&T Stadium (Baltimore, Maryland)
• Time: 7:00 PM ET | Where to Watch: NFL Network
• Spread: Colts -5.5 | Moneyline: Colts -270 | Total: 36.5

Colts vs. Ravens Best Bet: Indianapolis Colts  2+ Passing Touchdowns +240

The Colts have quietly made a reputation for themselves over the last couple of seasons as an explosive offense under Shane Steichen. Even with the inconsistent play at quarterback, Steichen’s brilliant play calling often puts the team in position to score, especially in the red zone. In the midst of a QB battle to decide the starter under center, it’s safe to expect Indy will test the passing game during this preseason bout. 

Colts vs. Ravens Best Total Bet: Over 36.5 -105

Both the Colts and Ravens have the offensive firepower to turn this matchup into a shootout, even when their reserves enter the matchup. Assuming both squads look to try out a mixture of new plays, I like the odds this matchup finishes over the 36.5 point mark with a final score of 27-23 as a realistic outcome. 

Colts Offensive Player to Watch: QB Anthony Richardson Sr.

It’s clear that Richardson is entering a pivotal season of his young career. Between his inconsistency as a passer and unreliability to stay on the field, the Colts were forced to bring in competition to see if their former No. 4 overall pick can truly be the franchise QB they drafted him to be or not. All signs through training camp are that Richardson looks much better than the poor season he put together last year, and getting the first start of preseason is a good sign. However, that won’t win him the job unless he can go out and prove that he can make the layups in a real game. That said, my attention will be on the dual-threat quarterback. 

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Colts Defensive Player to Watch: DE Laiatu Latu

Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. The UCLA product showed flashes of why he was highly touted entering the league, but he struggled to finish plays as a rookie, even when he got near the QB. With new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo leading the show, Latu’s role could be heavily increased, and he’ll have the first chance to show how big of an impact player he can be on Thursday. 

Ravens Offensive Player to Watch: WR Devontez Walker

The Ravens are expected to sit their main wide receiver core on Thursday, which will open up plenty of opportunities for other wideouts on the roster. One name in particular worth monitoring is Devontez Walker, who’s shown flashes of his speed and playmaking on special teams. For a Baltimore team which has struggled to find WR consistency, Walker taking a leap could be huge.  

Ravens Defensive Player to Watch: S Malaki Starks

Assuming the Ravens allow their rookie to hit the field on Thursday, Malaki Starks will, without a doubt, be a name to watch. The talented safety slid in the draft, and between his talent and the newfound chip on his shoulder, he’ll be an intriguing player to watch in Baltimore’s secondary not only during the preseason, but this entire year. That said, keep an eye on Starks on Thursday.

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