Ravens, Colts both know how to walk the line

Pre-snap can sometimes be dull and boring in the NFL -- a quarterback walking to the line, scanning the field, maybe changing a play, then taking the snap.

It certainly isn't that way with Peyton Manning. His theatrics at the line of scrimmage annoy opponents and fans alike, yet, they are critical to the success of the Indianapolis Colts offense, the freedom he gets second to none in the NFL.

The Baltimore Ravens defense is just as active pre-snap as the Colts offense. They will show a variety of blitzes before the snap, yet it's tough on any quarterback to get a real read on who will be coming and where they're coming from. It's almost like a video-game defense, no real pattern to it.

No offense is safe with Ray Lewis watching from the defensive side. (Getty Images)

"They really do challenge you as an offensive unit," Colts center Jeff Saturday said. "It puts everybody on high alert. It's tiring playing those guys."

From a strategic standpoint, the Colts offense against that Ravens defense is as good as it gets. It adds to the intrigue of Saturday's Colts-Ravens AFC Divisional playoff game.

You have Manning making calls and checks at the line of scrimmage. You have Saturday working in unison with him on protections, making sure to slide the right way or call out the right blitzing players before each snap, and one misstep possibly puts "The Franchise" on his back.

The Ravens will counter with their usual array of attacking blitzes, aimed at reducing comfort for the quarterback. No team in the league comes after the passer the way the Ravens have.

The Colts have Manning as their offensive leader, while the Ravens counter with Ray Lewis as their defensive general. Both units are led by creative coordinators -- Tom Moore running the Colts offense and Rex Ryan running the Ravens defense.

Are you ready for the game yet?

"A Peyton Manning-quarterbacked offense, it's going to challenge you, and our guys have a lot of confidence and a lot of pride, but they know how difficult it's going to be," said Ravens coach Brian Billick on a conference call this week.

The Colts finished the season ranked third in total offense; the Ravens finished ranked first in total defense, and scoring defense.

Something has to give.

The two teams met in the regular-season opener in 2005 in Baltimore, with the Colts winning 24-7. That was Ryan's first game as the Ravens defensive coordinator, taking over for Mike Nolan who left to become the coach of the San Francisco 49ers.