The Baltimore Ravens will have a lot on their plate when they travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. While they finished 8-9, the Colts looked destined to make the playoffs before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles tear. Make no mistake, they could pose a problem.
And the biggest nuisance the Ravens will have to deal with? Running back Jonathan Taylor. It goes without saying that to win this game, they must contain Taylor. He’s been simply dominant since he entered the NFL in 2020, and can take over a game at any moment.
Still, football is about more than just one player—47 other players dress on game days. For Baltimore, they’ll have to shut these four other Colts down if they want to come out with a season-opening victory.
4 Indianapolis Colts players the Baltimore Ravens must shut down
Tyler Warren
Perhaps Indianapolis’ best weapon not named Jonathan Taylor, tight end Tyler Warren is the truth. He started hot in his 2025 campaign, totaling 50 receptions, 617 yards, and 4 touchdowns in his first 10 games. He hit the rookie wall late in the year, though, with just 26 receptions, 200 yards, and 1 touchdown over his final seven games.
Hopefully that wall stays up against Baltimore.
For Daniel Jones, Warren is his security blanket. The quarterback will play in his first game since tearing his Achilles in December, so look for him to find Warren on some quick hitters early and often as he gets back into the swing of things.
Warren is excellent after the catch, too. 474 of his 817 receiving yards came after the catch, a mark that ranked 13th in the NFL last year. That can’t be a theme in Week 1.
Linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton will be key to erasing Warren throughout Sunday’s action.
Bernhard Raimann
Something that’s expected to change in Baltimore this season is their pass rush. After being non-existent in 2025, they added Trey Hendrickson, Zion Young, and Calais Campbell to the mix to form what should be a scary unit.
Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann will be the measuring stick for how good this new-look defensive front truly is.
Raimann is one of the better offensive tackles in the league. His 82.0 PFF grade ranked 12th at his position last year. And with him protecting Jones’ blindside, his importance is as crucial as ever.
It’s fair to assume Jones may look slightly off against the Ravens. Achilles tears are one of the worst injuries you can suffer, so in his first game back, his ability to escape the pocket and evade pressure could take a hit. That’s why Raimann needs to be circled in red on Baltimore’s game plan.
If you beat the left tackle, there’s a feeding frenzy awaiting the Ravens' pass rushers in the backfield. Hendrickson will likely draw the bulk of the matchups with Raimann. I’d say Week 1 is the perfect time to introduce himself to his new fanbase.
DeForest Buckner
The Ravens’ interior offensive line is completely different. All three players starting on Sunday will be fresh faces. Center Jovaughn Gwyn looked strong throughout the offseason, rookie guard Vega Ioane brings plenty of potential, and veteran guard John Simpson has the experience.
However, none of those names are a sure thing. Things could look good. But they could also look bad. And with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner lining up on the opposite side in the trenches, things may get really bad.
Last season, Buckner only tallied 4 sacks, but he remained a problem on passing downs. His 74.9 pass-rush grade ranked 17th for interior defensive linemen, per PFF. With uncertainty along Baltimore’s interior, the door is open for him to cause issues.
That can’t happen again. Lamar Jackson was banged up for almost the entire 2025 season because of the abysmal pass protection in the middle. Gwyn, Ioane, and Simpson must be on their A game and faze Buckner out.
Cam Bynum
Safety Cam Bynum is known for two things: forcing takeaways and his celebrations. In 2025, Bynum led the team in turnovers, accounting for with 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. He’s a game-changer.
The Ravens must make sure his first planned dance for 2026 waits another week.
To win games in this league, it’s important to win the turnover battle. It can completely flip the matchup. Of the 13 teams that had a positive turnover differential in 2025, 10 made the playoffs. And of the 15 teams with a winning record, 11 won the turnover margin.
Clearly, takeaways can lead to wins. To beat the Colts, keeping the ball out of harm’s way should be No. 1 on Baltimore’s priorities. They’re looking to hit explosive plays under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Just don’t get too carried away and keep an eye on Bynum.
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