Baltimore opened the season with a statement in Indianapolis, leaning on a massive day from Derrick Henry and a sharp performance from Lamar Jackson to cruise past the Colts 41-23.
The Ravens piled up 506 yards, forced two turnovers and walked out with a 1-0 record. Henry powered the offense with 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Jackson went 17 of 25 for 324 yards and a score. Tyler Loop added field goals from 57 and 45 yards, and Malaki Starks closed it out by sacking Daniel Jones on fourth down.
Jackson also got Baltimore moving on the ground right away, scoring the Ravens’ first touchdown of the season on the opening drive. Henry later added to the day’s history-making run, scoring his 123rd career rushing touchdown against Indianapolis to tie Marcus Allen for third place in NFL history.
The win came with a concern attached, though. Baltimore’s receiver room took hits during the game, with Zay Flowers ruled out after a hamstring injury and Ja’Kobi Lane leaving with a wrist injury.
Flowers had already made his presence felt before exiting, finishing with five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens will be watching both closely as they turn toward their Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Injuries shaped the day before kickoff, too. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was ruled out with a neck injury, and rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan was also out because of a knee injury.
Wide receiver Devontez Walker was listed as questionable with a groin injury, though Zay Flowers was a full participant and did not get a game-status designation after dealing with a hamstring issue earlier in the week. Baltimore also elevated linebacker Carl Jones Jr. and wide receiver Chris Moore from the practice squad for added depth.
The Ravens’ inactive list included Madubuike, Buchanan, Walker, Elijah Sarratt, Chandler Rivers, Emery Jones and emergency third quarterback Joe Fagnano.
Indianapolis had its own personnel issues. Linebacker Austin Ajiake was ruled out with a hamstring injury, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was unavailable because of a one-game suspension. The Colts elevated linebacker Kenneth Harris from the practice squad for extra depth at linebacker.
Baltimore’s offensive line setup was another early storyline, with Jovaughn Gwyn expected to start at center and rookie Vega Ioane at right guard. That group was tasked with handling a Colts front featuring DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart and Laiatu Latu while giving Jackson time and creating room for Henry. The Ravens’ ability to keep Jones under pressure and prevent Indianapolis from taking control on the ground had been one of the key pregame questions, but Baltimore answered it with a fast, physical performance.
The game also marked the regular-season debut of Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator for the Ravens. Baltimore came into Week 1 after a perfect preseason, going 3-0 and outscoring opponents 78-13.
Next up is a home date with the Saints on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. on CBS. After that, the Ravens’ 2026 schedule rolls on with games against the Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Titans, Falcons, Browns, Bengals, Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, Panthers, Texans, Buccaneers, Steelers and Browns again, before finishing the regular season at Cincinnati.
In Other News...
Colts Opening Day Letdown Raises Questions They Werent Supposed To Face
The Colts walked into Week 1 expecting a clean opening statement and instead left with a reminder of how quickly a season can tilt when both sides of the ball go sideways. Baltimore took control early in a 41-23 loss, with Indianapolis struggling to slow the Ravens passing game and failing to generate much rhythm on offense, even as Daniel Jones early interception helped fuel the first surge.
Zay Flowers did most of his damage before leaving with an injury, and the Colts never found a comfortable answer for the matchup that had already become a problem. Indy also needed more from its playmakers, with Alec Pierce quiet in the first half, and the kind of opening-day performance that was supposed to settle things only added to the questions this group was trying to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Owens' Colts Debut Had A Simone Biles Touch Fans Loved
Simone Biles showed up at Lucas Oil Stadium for a first look at Jonathan Owens in a Colts uniform, and she made sure the moment had a personal touch. Before kickoff in Week 1, Biles wore a custom blue-and-white dress with Owens name and number on it, then shared a handshake and a kiss with her husband on the sideline as he prepared for his first regular-season game with Indianapolis.
Owens arrived in Indianapolis after two seasons with the Chicago Bears and signed a one-year deal with the Colts, so his debut carried a little extra attention beyond the usual opening-week nerves. Having Biles in the building only added to the spotlight, and for Colts fans, the sideline scene was one of the more memorable details from a day built around fresh starts. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Face A Huge Problem Against The Colts
Zay Flowers turned a promising opening for Baltimore into an immediate concern for the Ravens on Sunday, leaving their Week 1 matchup with the Colts because of a hamstring injury. Before heading to the sideline, the second-year receiver was doing serious damage, piling up five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown as Baltimore tried to set the tone early.
Flowers was listed as questionable to return, and the Ravens said they were continuing to evaluate his status during the game. For Indianapolis, the injury changes the feel of a matchup that had already featured one of Baltimores most dangerous playmakers making a big early impact, and now the Colts are waiting to see whether they have to deal with him again or whether the Ravens have to adjust without one of their top targets. [Read more 🡒]