Baltimore’s 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts gave the Ravens exactly what they wanted out of Week Two: a loud reminder of how dangerous this team can be when Lamar Jackson is healthy and the offense is humming.
But that kind of start doesn’t answer everything.
Jackson looked every bit like an MVP-caliber quarterback, throwing for 324 yards and adding a rushing touchdown. Derrick Henry backed it up with a massive day of his own, piling up 144 yards and three scores. And Zay Flowers kept showing why Baltimore invested in him with a four-year, $140 million extension, finishing with 150 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury.
The Ravens’ offense was also sharp in the way it was built around its best players. Declan Doyle put together a creative plan that kept Indianapolis guessing, including a fake reverse into a screen pass to Henry that stood out as one of the best calls of the day. Baltimore rolled up 506 total yards, the kind of number that tells you the plan worked.
The defense had a rough first drive, when the Colts marched down the field on their opening possession. After that, though, the unit settled in and held Indianapolis to 251 total yards. Baltimore also logged nine quarterback hits and two takeaways.
Still, the defense gave up 23 points, and Minter would not be satisfied with that outcome. He wants more, and the Ravens will be looking for it as they head into their home opener this Sunday.
New Orleans arrives in Baltimore after a wild 31-30 overtime loss to Detroit that featured a controversial overturned defensive touchdown. Tyler Shough is coming off a season in which he moved from backup to starter, and the Saints clearly think he’s ready for more. He was named a team captain this season, and expectations are higher for him and for New Orleans in Year two under Kellen Moore.
Even with that, this is the kind of matchup most people would expect Baltimore to win. A 2-0 start is right there.
And that matters, because the Ravens have something they haven’t always had in recent years: a real chance to build early momentum. Their first seven opponents - Indianapolis, New Orleans, Dallas, Tennessee, Atlanta, Cleveland and Cincinnati - did not make the playoffs last season. That stretch gives Baltimore a chance to stack wins before the schedule gets much tougher.
There are still questions worth watching Sunday.
If Flowers can’t go, who becomes Jackson’s go-to receiver when the Ravens need a big play? Flowers is listed day to day with the hamstring issue, and the expectation here is that he probably won’t play.
That puts more on Rashod Bateman, who was targeted only once and didn’t catch a pass against the Colts. Mark Andrews could also see more work after finishing with four catches for 49 yards.
Chris Moore had a big catch that turned heads, but it remains to be seen whether he’s the one who can handle a bigger role.
The offensive line is another spot to keep an eye on. Baltimore had three new starters up front and still ran for 202 yards, which is a strong sign.
But the group also committed seven penalties, and tougher tests are coming. How quickly that unit gels will matter a lot if the Ravens want this to turn into a long playoff run.
Then there’s Lamar’s new offense. Baltimore showed what it can do when the game is built around its stars, but the next step is keeping it fresh over the long haul.
Henry can’t be carried at full speed forever, and the passing game needs more pieces involved. Jackson’s escape act on third down, when it looked like the Colts had him and he still slipped away for a first down, was the kind of play that reminds everyone he’s healthy and dangerous.
The challenge now is making the offense grow from there.
And finally, Tyler Loop gave the Ravens a moment of calm with his 57-yard kick at the end of the half. After the miss in Pittsburgh, that was the kind of swing that can settle a crowd fast. For now, the fans are with him.
In Other News...
Ravens Fans Are Already Debating One Wild New Stadium Food Item
M&T Bank Stadium rolled out a fresh batch of concessions for the Ravens home opener, and the menu alone is already giving fans plenty to talk about. The biggest head-turner is a barbecue sundae built with brisket, baked beans and macaroni, a layered game-day novelty that sits alongside new spots like The Talon patio and Franks RedHot Backstage sports bar as the stadium keeps trying to make the food scene feel as much a part of the experience as the football.
There are broader changes mixed in too, from a switch in poultry suppliers to Perdue Farms to the addition of familiar names and local flavor through vendors like Little Caesars and Factoria Maria Pupuseria. Stadium officials also laid out pricing and descriptions for a range of updated items, including hot dogs and the Dueling Dog, but the barbecue sundae is the one most likely to spark the debate that every NFL venue secretly wants - whether this is a must-try crowd-pleaser or a bridge too far. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Loop Bought The Ravens Time But Not Real Kicker Security
Tyler Loop gave the Ravens exactly what they needed in Week 1, handling every extra point and field goal attempt and even showing range from distance. That kind of clean debut bought the team some breathing room, and it quickly made the practice-squad kicker picture look a lot less crowded when Baltimore moved on from Jake Moody.
Still, the move did not amount to a long-term declaration of trust. Loops first game was encouraging, but the Ravens know one sharp outing is not the same thing as established reliability, especially at a position where inconsistency can swing games fast. Moody could always come back into the conversation if Loops form slips, which is why Baltimores kicker situation feels more settled than secure. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Face A Big Availability Problem On Offense
The Ravens' offense was already trying to find its early-season rhythm, and Thursday's injury report did not make life easier. Zay Flowers sat out practice with a hamstring issue, joining Ronnie Stanley and John Simpson among the notable absences as Baltimore dealt with several missing starters at once. With a new coaching staff in place, the team has been taking a cautious approach to health this time of year, which makes every missed practice a little more meaningful.
Flowers is considered day-to-day, but the outlook for this week does not sound especially encouraging, and that leaves Baltimore waiting to see how much of its passing game it can count on. Nnamdi Madubuike is still limited as he works back from neck surgery, adding another layer to an availability picture that already has the Ravens monitoring key spots across the roster. For a team trying to settle in offensively, the next few practices should say a lot about how much of the plan can actually be put on the field. [Read more 🡒]