The Indianapolis Colts are betting underdogs at home on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens as the regular season begins.
After months of fervent anticipation, the Indianapolis Colts kick off their season on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ownership has said that the pressure to succeed in 2026 has never been higher for head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard, with Carlie Irsay-Gordon adding this summer that the mantra for this season is to "find a way" to win each week. It may not always be pretty, but the team needs to be battle-tested and capable of pulling out victories by any means necessary.
The regular season doesn't start out with any favors, as quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens come to town this Sunday for Week 1.
Baltimore is coming off a similarly disappointing season in 2025 as the Colts, with both teams missing the postseason with 8-9 records. That was new territory for the Ravens, however, as they have a perennial playoff presence, while the Colts have gone five years without.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ravens are 3.5-point favorites this weekend, with a total point over/under of 47.5.
Any team with the two-time NFL MVP Jackson is going to be favored more often than not, but the Colts are perfectly capable of coming out on top in this matchup.
The Ravens have a new head coach for the first time in 18 years after firing John Harbaugh. Jesse Minter has taken the mantle for the first time, and his offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, is a 30-year-old first-time play-caller.
Defensively, coordinator Anthony Weaver rejoins the Ravens after a two-year stint as the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator. The Colts beat Weaver and the Dolphins in Week 1 last year, 33-8, as the Colts' offense put up 418 yards and controlled the clock for 38:43.
Baltimore is still plenty flush with prime players, but the Colts will also be returning to full strength as they get back quarterback Daniel Jones, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., and Justin Walley from injury-plagued 2025 campaigns.
The Colts' offense was off to a torrid start in 2025 before injuries to Jones began to take their toll. He is now back and healthy, along with receiver Alec Pierce, who missed the offseason after ankle surgery.
Receiver Josh Downs, tight end Tyler Warren, and running back Jonathan Taylor are all expected to make an significant impact on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will have a new-look group at his disposal, with the return of the aforementioned starters, along with additions of linebackers CJ Allen and Akeem Davis-Gaither, edge defender Arden Key, and safety A.J. Haulcy.
The Colts and Ravens will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday on CBS.
