Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts: 3 Bold Predictions

Dec 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts free safety Darius Butler (20) and cornerback Vontae Davis (23) celebrate during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Vontae Davis will be the first to slow down Steve Smith

Much ink has been spilled on how wonderful Steve Smith has been this season. No defense has yet to slow him down. The Colts have an awful defense, so one would think Steve Smith is primed for a big game.

Not so. The Colts have held a pretty impressive group of receivers in check, including Demaryius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin and Kendall Wright. Vontae Davis, the Colts’ best defender and one of the better cornerbacks in the game, has been a big reason why.

Davis has surrendered just six receptions for 54 yards this season according to Pro Football Focus. This on 15 targets. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown for just a 22.6 passer rating into his coverage, the best for any corner in the NFL. Those are impressive numbers for the veteran corner.

The Colts should and likely will focus on covering Steve Smith with Davis, as Smith has been the only difference-maker in the Ravens’ receiving corps this year. If Davis spends most of his day covering Smith, Joe Flacco would be wise to look elsewhere to make big plays in the passing game.

And with the rest of the Colts’ secondary struggling, guys like Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown could be in line for big games.