The Colts are expected to play some starters against the Ravens, who aren’t expected to play their starters. But I like the Ravens, who have lost by more than six points in the preseason once since 2015. They're a well-coached team, depth they have on defense means I don’t see this matchup being a walk in the park for the Colts’ QBs. Once we get to the second half, expect Baltimore’s Mike Green push to make an impact in the pass rush and work his way up the depth chart. Take the points with Baltimore.

We will touch on this in the Thursday newsletter; yes, the Colts will play Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones (that a good thing?). But only the first half. Then we get very inaccurate former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and also perhaps Mr. (Jason) Bean. So while I could see a Colts -6 first-half line perhaps cashing, the Ravens should have the better overall roster in the second half when it's scrub vs scrub. Baltimore used to be invincible in the preseason under John Harbaugh. That has not been the case at all of late. But, still, it's the team's only home exhibition game. Certainly not playing many preseason games ... if any more. Maybe a Bears game.

This line has drifted up since the Colts announced their intentions to play Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, contenders to start at QB, throughout the first half, with Richardson getting the most snaps. Baltimore was once beloved by preseason bettors but has dropped seven in a row ATS. Still, the Ravens’ preseason record under coach John Harbaugh — 44-17 SU, 40-21 ATS — should not be dismissed. Plus, veteran QB Cooper Rush should get plenty of snaps. Even if Harbaugh has altered his approach by sitting starters, allotting a Super Bowl candidate this many points in the preseason is too tempting to pass up.

The Colts are 6-point favorites as they prepare to play Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, following joint practices with the Ravens. Veteran Cooper Rush is expected to move the ball against the Colts' backup defense effectively. The Ravens' strong coaching and depth will challenge the Colts' quarterbacks, who may play conservatively to protect their starting positions. Devin Leary, a 6th-round pick from Kentucky, will lead the Ravens in the second half, potentially benefiting from the game's low stakes. Since 2015, the Ravens have lost only one preseason game by more than six points. Head coach John Harbaugh's impressive record in the preseason has changed, as the Ravens went 1-2 straight-up in the last two seasons after an amazing 23-0 SU record since 2014.

For the first time in over a decade, the Ravens struggled in preseason last summer for John Harbaugh, who previously had a well-earned rep as a go-with August coach, at one time covering in 19 of 20 games. No Lamar Jackson here, but ex-NC State and Kentucky Devin Leary did get plenty of snaps last August, and ex-Cowboy Cooper Rush is likely to see reps. .The Indy hype surrounds the QB battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones (Richardson starts on Thursday; Jones to relieve him in 2nd Q before backups all the way in second half). But with Indy in full backup mode for the second half, we'd rather trust Harbaugh's long-established preseason pedigree (even if it didn't work last summer). Play Ravens