Preview: Colts vs Ravens - AFC Wild Card

Can Flacco lead this Ravens team to a Super Bowl?

• This could be the "make or break" year for Flacco. Now we must admit, last year in the AFC Title game he played very well only to watch Lee Evans drop a sure game-winning TD and a Bill Cundiff game-tying field goal miss wide left. You would think that he would go through this season with a chip on his shoulder to go and get back to the game that's haunted him this season. But he's not playing up to par, and some have questioned if he's a elite QB. Well if he loses this game, those questions will become serious doubts as to if he'll ever reach that level of "elite". 

How will Luck fair out in his first playoff start?

• Well for his rookie season, he's done beyond what's needed for any other typical rookie QB. Now lets see how much he's really come along now that it's "Money Time". If the Ravens defense play how they've historically plays, then this could be a long day at the office for Luck. But if the Ravens D play the way they've played during this season, then it could be a easy afternoon for Luck. This will be a hard test for one Andrew Luck, but after the challenges this team has overcame over the last year, anything can happen.

Will Lewis and Suggs make a difference to a Raven's D that's has been struggling as of late? 

• Well to add one future first ballot Hall of Famer and a dominating Pro Bowl defensive player can make a difference to any defense in the NFL. All of this was BEFORE the news that came out this week about Ray Lewis hanging it up after this playoffs are over, now may add a new sense of urgency to a defense that's been slacking all season. If this the last hoorah for Lewis, then you better believe it that this defense will go out with a blaze and all hands on deck.

Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano recovery from leukemia and the soon-to-be retired Ray Lewis, which story will motivate their team more?

• Before this week, the storyline of this game was going to be about the "Chuck Strong" (campaign that Colts used during the recovery of leukemia by their head coach) before the news came out that the Ravens franchise player was set to retire after the playoffs (or when their team gets eliminated). Pagano, who was the DC of the Ravens just last season, has had a huge response from his team after they found out about him having leukemia. Most could say that their season was decided on "Chuck Strong", which is a great story. Against, which could be the Ray Lewis last game at home in that stadium forever. Yea this could be a slight problem for the road team. 

X-Factors: Ray Lewis Retirement vs Chuck Strong Season

• Which will be that "extra" for each team: Chuck Strong for the Colts or Ray Lewis possible last game at home?

Confidence Pick: Colts (21) vs Ravens (9)

Prediction: 31-17, Ravens