# 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.
- Title: Six picks, one winner: Ravens over Colts · The Banner
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: ravens, colts, nfl, predictions, week 1, news, local, Six, picks, one, winner, The Banner
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/sports/ravens-nfl/ravens-colts-game-predictions-AOYRWIAECZFS7MWX3BAT3O4VGQ
- Author: Baltimore Banner Staff
- Published: 2026-09-11T17:08:31.957+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ravens, colts, nfl, predictions, week 1, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.