From The Banner · Baltimore Banner Staff · · 2m
Six picks, one winner: Ravens over Colts
The Banner's staff and a guest picker all take Baltimore in Indy, but nobody sees a blowout.
In brief
The Banner's staff and a guest picker all take Baltimore in Indy, but nobody sees a blowout. Every picker has the Ravens winning, and every one of them expects a close, messy Week 1 while two brand-new schemes find their footing. Originally reported by The Banner.
Sunday at Lucas Oil
The Ravens open the season at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Colts in Indianapolis. Five Banner staffers and a guest picker weighed in, and all six picked Baltimore.
The game is the run game
Kyle Goon frames it as Derrick Henry against Jonathan Taylor. Henry has Lamar Jackson and a play-action threat behind him; Taylor has Daniel Jones coming off an Achilles tear.
“Everything about this game is about who can control the run.”
Indy's front is aging
Goon thinks a retooled Ravens offensive line plus Henry's bruising style overwhelms a Colts defensive front where DeForest Buckner is starting to slip. He has it 23-13.
Defense arrives first
Giana Han expects the defense ahead of the offense. Jesse Minter's system sits close to Zach Orr's, while Declan Doyle's offense is a bigger leap from Todd Monken's and nobody has run it live.
“This won't be another 40-point showing like last year's season opener.”
An elite spine
Jonas Shaffer points to the middle of the field: Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks outclass what Indianapolis puts there.
“A potentially elite defensive spine.”
Don't dismiss the Colts
Indianapolis had the NFL's best offense through the first two months of 2025 and returns most of it. They dropped 38 on Minter's Chargers defense last October.
“Don't overlook the Colts.”
Injuries tilt it
Childs Walker sees a live home underdog, then lands on health. Jones and top receiver Alec Pierce are both back from serious injuries, and Minter has the tools to torment a shaky quarterback.
“Expect a nervous first three quarters.”
Too much newness
Brandon Weigel lists the question marks: Jackson's reworked footwork, a rookie guard, a fourth-year center making his first start, a thin interior defensive front.
“There are sure to be some hiccups.”
Talent wins anyway
Even with the hiccups, Weigel says Baltimore is simply the more talented roster and that carries the day. His number: 23-21.
“Just win, baby.”
Jackson owns Anarumo
James Boyd of The Athletic notes Colts coordinator Lou Anarumo knows Jackson well and it hasn't helped. Jackson is 9-1 against him with 22 touchdowns and three picks.
“It's still hard for me to think he'll outplay Jackson.”
The main idea
Every picker has the Ravens winning, and every one of them expects a close, messy Week 1 while two brand-new schemes find their footing.
