Ravens Vs. Colts: 9 Winners And 3 Losers

The Baltimore Ravens opened the season on the road with a convincing 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The first game under new head coach Jesse Minter was a resounding success, but a few blemishes were apparent.

Winners

Lamar Jackson: The two-time MVP looked as sharp as ever against the Colts, completing 17-of-25 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown while adding another 40 yards and a score on the ground on seven rushes. After an injury-riddled season in 2025, Jackson reminded everyone what he is capable of with a Houdini-esque escape from a sack to convert a 3rd-and-16 with his legs.

Zay Flowers: The Ravens’ No. 1 wide receiver showed why he deserved the $140 million extension he received this offseason with a monster first half against Indianapolis. The Colts had zero answers for Flowers as the shifty receiver racked up 150 yards and a touchdown on just five catches before unfortunately exiting the game with a hamstring injury. Flowers’ speed popped off the screen on his 54-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Derrick Henry: They say Father Time is undefeated, but it looks like he will have to wait at least another year to win his bout against Henry. The 32-year-old workhorse moved up to third in all-time rushing touchdowns with his three scores against Indianapolis to go with 144 rushing yards. A healthy Jackson and Henry in the backfield is nearly impossible to stop.

Chris Moore: The 33-year-old special teams standout stepped up in a big way in his first game back with his original team, both as a returner and receiver. After Baltimore’s defense was walked down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, Moore responded with a 42-yard kick return to set the Ravens’ offense up at midfield. Moore later broke off a 49-yard return in the third quarter that was called back by a penalty. The biggest play of the day for the veteran came on offense, though, when Moore hauled in a 53-yard pass on third down. With rookie Ja’Kobi Lane set to miss time with a wrist injury and Flowers’ availability for the upcoming weeks unknown, Moore could find himself with more opportunities on offense.

Tavius Robinson: Robinson started his contract year off with a strong game against the Colts. Robinson had one of the team’s two sacks on Daniel Jones and was a consistent force from the edge throughout the day with a team-high four quarterback hits.

Roquan Smith: The All-Pro linebacker is looking to rebound from a down season in 2025, and Sunday was a good start towards doing so. After a poor first drive from Baltimore’s defense, which led to a touchdown, Smith quickly flipped the momentum on the next drive with an interception off of Jones. Smith led the team with 11 total tackles.

Marlon Humphrey: Another player looking to bounce back after a poor season is the former All-Pro cornerback. Humphrey reminded everyone of his playmaking ability with a forced fumble on running back Jonathan Taylor and had an impressive pass breakup on a deep pass intended for Alec Pierce later in the game. The Ravens need their highly paid corner to continue to play at a high level.

Tyler Loop: Perhaps the biggest concern for the Ravens entering the season was their kicking situation after a shaky preseason from Loop on the heels of his season-ending miss in Pittsburgh. While it would have been impossible to win back all of the goodwill in just one game, Loop certainly eased concern by making both of his kicks on Sunday, including a career-long 57-yarder.

Declan Doyle: The praise for the first-time play-caller was sky high this offseason, and he showed exactly why in his first game. Doyle’s creativity was on full display against Indianapolis, particularly on Flowers’ 54-yard touchdown, where he started lined up next to Jackson in the backfield before running a route. Putting Jackson under center more and using play-action were both effective as well in Week 1. Baltimore may not have Doyle for long if he continues on this trajectory, so fans should enjoy the show while it lasts.

Losers

Offensive Line: While the offensive line’s performance was not terrible, it was the constant barrage of penalties that really held the unit back in their first outing together. Constant holding penalties and false starts killed momentum for an otherwise unstoppable Ravens’ offense. The unit combined for five penalties, two against left tackle Ronnie Stanley, one on center Jovaugn Gwyn, and two against rookie first-round guard Vega Ioane. The holding penalty against Gwyn nullified a touchdown catch for Lane, leading to a turnover on downs a few plays later instead. Penalties were to be expected in the first game of the season on the road, but Baltimore must fix the issue quickly if their offense is going to reach its true potential.

Rashod Bateman: Much talk has been made this offseason about the potential for Bateman to bounce back in a new offensive system, but that was not the story on Sunday. Bateman finished the game with zero catches after his lone reception was called back due to a penalty. Following Flowers’ exit from the game, Bateman should have been the player to step up in the passing game instead of Moore. The Ravens need more from their former first-round pick if Flowers misses any games with his hamstring injury.

Justice Hill: Hill did not have his best outing in Week 1, as the veteran running back had back-to-back penalties to kill a drive late in the third quarter. Hill had little success on the ground either, totaling just 18 yards on six carries, though he did add another ten yards on a catch.