Ravens vs. Colts spread, odds, pick: Marlon Humphrey out, Mark Ingram likely sidelined too for Baltimore

One of the marquee matchups in Week 9 around the NFL is clearly Baltimore at Indianapolis as that could have big-time AFC playoff seeding ramifications or even be a postseason preview. The Ravens opened as 3-point favorites on the William Hill NFL odds even though they are expected to be without two Pro Bowl players in cornerback Marlon Humphrey and running back Mark Ingram.

Humphrey is definitely out as he has tested positive for COVID-19 and must self-isolate for 10 days. The 24-year-old is the first Ravens player to test positive for the coronavirus during the season. William Hill has taken this spread down temporarily over the concern there could be a widespread issue on the team considering Humphrey played every single defensive snap in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh (the Steelers haven't had any positive tests from that game).

In addition, Humphrey missed practice last Wednesday due to an illness but practiced Thursday and Friday after testing negative for COVID-19. Baltimore will conduct players meetings virtually throughout the week but will practice starting Wednesday. Coach John Harbaugh said players who had close contact with Humphrey are in a five-day protocol window that will require a pair of negative tests.

Humphrey, a 2017 first-round pick out of Alabama, was named to his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro last year when he had 65 tackles, three interceptions, 14 passes defensed, three fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) and two forced fumbles. This year, he has 32 tackles, five passes defensed, four forced fumbles (tied for NFL lead), 2.5 sacks and a pick.

The Ravens already were thin in the secondary in having lost cornerbacks Tavon Young and Iman Marshall to season-ending injuries and without Anthony Averett (shoulder) for at least another month. Baltimore is allowing 222.6 passing yards per game with 10 TD passes and an opposing QB rating of 91.1.

As for Ingram, a three-time Pro Bowl pick and former Heisman winner from Alabama, he missed the Pittsburgh game with an ankle injury and it would be an upset if he plays against Indianapolis – which is second in the NFL in rush defense in allowing 79.9 yards per game.

Ingram rushed for 1,018 yards on 10 TDs last year and has 225 yards and two scores on 50 carries in 2020. The Ravens are deep at tailback with rookie second-round pick JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Dobbins had 113 yards on 15 carries in the loss to the Steelers and Edwards 87 yards and a TD on 16 carries. The Ravens rushed for 265 yards and still lost.

It has not been a good 48 hours or so for the Ravens after losing All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a season-ending injury in Week 8. Plus, young receiver Marquise Brown complained on Twitter about not getting enough touches vs. Pittsburgh -- "What's the point of having souljas when you never use them (Never!!)" -- before deleting it.

Were the AFC playoffs to start today, the Ravens would be the top Wild-Card team and the Colts the No. 2 (remember, there are three Wild Cards this season). Baltimore and Indy are both 5-2, but the Ravens own the current tiebreak over the Colts based on win percentage in AFC games. Indianapolis is also tied for the AFC South lead but loses a current tiebreaker to Tennessee. 

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