Colts vs. Ravens | Predictions & Picks

The 2026 regular season officially kicks off for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday as they host the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It will be a sight for sore eyes as players such as quarterback Daniel Jones, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., and Justin Walley take the field, all of whom spent the end of last season injured on the sidelines.

While Sunday is more about the Colts' returning players, the Ravens have a new coaching staff for the first time since 2008, as Jesse Minter takes over as a first-time head coach, flanked by offensive coordinator and first-time play-caller Declan Doyle and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. While many of the players are the same in Baltimore, they'll be led by new coaches for the first time in nearly two decades, so there is a veil of mystery.

Here is how the ColtsRoundtable staff sees Sunday's game unfolding.

Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL): Everyone is taking a "wait and see" approach to quarterback Daniel Jones, but he's looked great physically throughout the summer, and you'd never know he was coming off a blown Achilles if you weren't already aware. His preparedness and chemistry with head coach Shane Steichen as a play-caller are a big deal in a matchup like this. The Colts faced Minter as DC of the Los Angeles Chargers last year, and Weaver as DC of the Miami Dolphins, and the Colts' offense averaged 409.5 yards and 35.5 points in two wins against them. Defensively, containing running back Derrick Henry is easier said than done, but if they can get into advantageous third-down situations, I envision Colts DC Lou Anarumo bringing plenty of pressure on quarterback Lamar Jackson, which is one of the most effective ways to rattle him.

Pick: Colts 24, Ravens 20 

Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2): The Colts open up the season with a tough home test against the Ravens. While the Ravens should be one of the better teams in the league this season, behind Minter, there is a lot of change in personnel that could lead to some early-season growing pains. Meanwhile, the Colts are returning 9 of 11 starters on an offense that started off last season at an historic pace. Minter's Ravens will likely come out early daring the Colts to throw the ball, and Steichen isn't one to shy away from a challenge. In my prediction, the Colts come out of the gate hot on offense and manage to scrape their way to a narrow win at home, with Jones reminding the league how well he played prior to injury last season.

Pick: Colts 23, Ravens 20

The Colts host the Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.