The Baltimore Ravens will open their 2026 NFL season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. It’s been a long wait, but football is finally back.
This should be a great way to open the season. It’s not a home opener, but the Ravens face a team in the Colts who’s in a bit of a similar situation. Both teams finished last season with an 8-9 record, falling painfully short of the playoffs. On paper, it’s set to be a competitive contest.
Here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s game.
Everything you need to know about Baltimore Ravens’ season opener vs. Indianapolis Colts
- How to watch Ravens vs. Colts Week 1
- Ravens vs. Colts injury updates
- Storylines to watch for Ravens in Week 1
- Prediction
How to watch Ravens vs. Colts Week 1
Start time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV channel: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+, NFL+
Listen: 98 Rock (97.9 FM), WBAL (1090 AM, 101.5 FM)
Ravens vs. Colts injury updates
Ravens
PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) | OUT |
Teddye Buchanan (knee) | OUT |
Devontez Walker (groin) | QUESTIONABLE |
The Ravens have confirmed that both Nnamdi Madubuike and Teddye Buchanan will be out in this one, while Devontez Walker is currently listed as questionable. Zay Flowers will be active after dealing with a hamstring issue throughout the week.
There may be a noticeable void without Madubuike and Buchanan, so guys like Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, and Trenton Simpson may need to play at a higher level. Along the interior defensive line, depth options in Broderick Washington, John Jenkins, and Aeneas Peebles could get some time in the sun.
Colts
PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
Austin Ajiake (hamstring) | OUT |
The Colts had a fairly clean bill of health on their injury report. They had some crucial players limited throughout the week, but most escaped and will be active for Week 1. Linebacker Austin Ajiake is the only Indianapolis player inactive.
The big news here is Alec Pierce. After being limited all week, Pierce will take the field. It’s unclear if he’ll be a snap count, but that's a big win for a team that needs his playmaking ability against what should be a stout Baltimore defense.
Storylines to watch for Ravens in Week 1
The biggest storyline? Jesse Minter and the coaching staff’s debut. We learned a lot about what Minter and company will bring to the table throughout training camp and preseason—the offense has looked explosive at times, and the defense was lights out. However, this is a different ballgame. It’s time for the young group to showcase what they've got on a real stage.
Speaking of coaching, what will the new partnership between Declan Doyle and Lamar Jackson look like? We’ve seen highlights from practices, but we haven’t seen anything from an actual game. All the signs this offseason have been pointing toward Doyle being a genius, and pairing that with a two-time MVP like Jackson is super exciting.
Outside of the coaching changes, Baltimore’s biggest shift came in the trenches this offseason. Their offensive line and defensive line appear ready to turn around the constant woes they suffered in 2025. They should be stronger units thanks to additions like Trey Hendrickson, Calais Campbell, Zion Young, Vega Ioane, and John Simpson.
The offensive front does have one major question mark swirling around it, though: Jovaughn Gwyn. Gwyn will be making his first career start in Indianapolis, replacing three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum. It’s not a long-term decision just yet, but a Week 1 statement could do him favors to eventually secure the starting gig.
Prediction
Ravens 27, Colts 17
I have the Ravens pulling this one out by two scores. While some might be expecting a slow start for this new-look team, things just feel different under Minter. He and his defense were an immovable object all preseason, and he, along with Doyle and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, might be well on their way to unveiling something special in the opener.
The talent is there on both sides of the football, too. Specifically, Lamar Jackson tends to explode for a masterful performance in Week 1. Across seven season-opening starts, he’s averaged 297.4 total yards per game, with a 15-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while leading his offense to 33.3 points per game. Another dominant day could be coming.
Indianapolis can still be a problem. Jonathan Taylor will likely produce no matter what the Ravens have to say about it. Can Daniel Jones and the rest of this Colts squad hold up their end of the bargain, though? I don’t think so.
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