(Betting Express) - Since starting the year with consecutive losses, the Baltimore Ravens have avoided trouble with victories over Denver and Cleveland. Last week, Baltimore earned a 26-21 victory over the Browns. RB Jamal Lewis tied a career-high with 187 yards, while QB Chris Redman threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was a huge win to come back on the road against an excellent team," said Ravens' head coach Brian Billick. "Clearly, to hold on to the slim division lead, we cannot make some of the mistakes we made. Right now, to be at the top of the division, I'll take that."

The win was even bigger because Baltimore was forced to play the final quarter without linebacker Ray Lewis, who left the game with an injured shoulder after making four tackles, grabbing one interception, and forcing and recovering a fumble.

"Coach Billick made a decision and he said don't go back in because we have a long season ahead of us," Lewis said. "You want to go back out there, but it just isn't smart."

The Ravens will have to play in Indianapolis on Sunday without Lewis, which will end his streak of 63 consecutive starts.

Without their physical and emotional leader, the Ravens will have to continue to produce consistent offensive drives. Jamal Lewis is definitely back from the ACL injury that ended his season before it started a year ago. Lewis is running the ball, catching the ball, and has been the focal point of the offense in the first four games of the year. He has also been very successful in wearing down opponents. Last week, 138 of his 187 rushing yards came in the second half.

"I think you see the speed and the bursts and everything about Jamal that we knew before," Billick said. "For him to come back from the injury the way that he has, anybody that has any doubts that he is back might remove that doubt."

While Lewis has done a great job, his offensive line deserves a lot of credit. Anchored by massive tackle Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens' line has opened up huge holes, and that has helped Lewis' progression. The line is a bit banged up, as center Mike Flynn suffered a sprained ankle during the Cleveland game, but he should be fine in plenty of time to play against the Colts.

This week, the Ravens will again rely on the ground attack. The Colts struggled last week against Corey Dillon and the Cincinnati Bengals. Look for the Ravens to learn from that and act accordingly.

"This is a great game for a running back, knowing they're not really that good against the run," Lewis said. "At least they haven't shown they're that good against the run. I think they do struggle against the run a little bit."

If Lewis gets the running game going, it should allow Redman to look for some big plays. So far, his favorite receiver has been second-year tight end Todd Heap. Going against Tony Dungy's Cover-2 scheme, Heap should find success in the middle of the field. Redman and Heap have formed a nice chemistry, especially over the past couple of games, and that should continue this week. Heap is capable of going deep, but against the Colts, he'll be best suited to catch short passes, which would prevent the safeties from playing a deep zone.

After the running game and the short-passing attack are established, look for Redman to go for a big play. WRs Brandon Stokley and Travis Taylor both have above average speed, and if Redman can get them the ball, they could create headaches for the Colts' struggling defense. Stokley caught two touchdown passes a week ago, and the Ravens hope his solid play can continue. Stokley believes it will, provided the passes continue to float his way.

"The thing with receivers is we can't control everything," Stokley said. "All we can control is how we run our routes and when we get open. Sometimes the ball doesn't come to you, and sometimes it does. And [last week], thank goodness the ball came to me."

COMING UP: The Ravens will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.