Baltimore Beatdown

Colts QB fielded top-10 passing attack when healthy in 2025 with career-highs in nearly every traditional passing category; surrounded by elite weapons including Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, Keenan Allen, and Jonathan Taylor; presents first major test for Ravens' revamped secondary under new head coach Jesse Minter.

Ravens WR1 locked into $35M APY deal through 2031 after back-to-back 1,000-yard Pro Bowl seasons; elite route-runner with ability to separate in man coverage and find soft spots in zone; only 26 years old entering fourth season with room to grow; expected to see heavy target share against Colts CB1 Sauce Gardner and has found success against other elite corners like Christian Gonzalez, Pat Surtain, and Derek Stingley.

Zay Flowers will be the primary target on deep dig routes set up by Derrick Henry's play-action; if the Colts' front cannot stop the Ravens' ground game, safeties will be forced into run support, giving Flowers more room to operate over the middle.

Lamar Jackson faces a challenging Week 1 matchup against Lou Anarumo's Colts defense; he must be on the same page with a revamped offensive line featuring new center Jovaughn Gwyn making his first start and will have his hands full with Colts defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Anarumo's ability to disguise coverages and pressure packages can attack the Ravens offense through coverage traps, similar to his Bengals schemes. Jackson will also have to navigate Declan Doyle's emphasis on quick passing and footwork timing. Given this is his first game back at 100% after last year's injuries and his first in Doyle's system, Jackson could lean on his legs early; historically, some of his most dazzling extended plays came against Anarumo's Bengals because coverage looks forced him to hold onto the ball.

Derrick Henry will be used to set up play-action shots to Zay Flowers on his signature deep dig routes; if the Colts' front can stop the Ravens' ground game, they can use a two-high safety look with one buzzing the middle, but otherwise the Colts will have to use safeties in run support, giving Flowers more room to operate.

Daniel Jones rarely pushed the ball downfield, throwing deep balls less than 10% of the time via Pro Football Focus; most of his deep targets went to Alec Pierce, and the Ravens will look to bait him with coverage disguises, showing 1-on-1 looks pre-snap before rotating safeties over the top.

Alec Pierce is the NFL's back-to-back leader in yards per reception and Indianapolis's primary deep threat; however, the Ravens will likely deploy bracket coverage against him to prevent him from taking the top off the defense, and may bait Daniel Jones with a 1-on-1 pre-snap look only to have Malaki Starks or Jaylinn Hawkins fly back to cover a potential deep shot.

Wide receiver cleared to play despite heel injury; will be available for the Colts in Week 1 against the Ravens, giving quarterback Daniel Jones the same complement of weapons that devastated Jesse Minter's Chargers defense last year.

Rookie tight end will be active on game day and could see some snaps in Week 1 against the Colts.

Third-round rookie wide receiver could see significant role in his much-anticipated NFL debut if Devontez Walker (groin) is unavailable; positioned to benefit from Walker's potential absence.

Wide receiver listed as questionable with groin injury; his absence could elevate third-round rookie Ja'Kobi Lane into a significant role in his much-anticipated NFL debut.

Wide receiver cleared to play despite hamstring injury; the Ravens did not list Zay Flowers with an injury designation, indicating he is available for Week 1 against the Colts.

Listed as full participant on Thursday injury report after illness; available for Week 1.

Elevated to No. 3 WR role for Colts if Alec Pierce unavailable; former Raven joining Indianapolis depth chart.

Listed as potential lead WR if Alec Pierce unavailable; averaged just 6.4 yards per target in 2025, which did not particularly impress. Can be dangerous threat with ball in his hands.

Listed as potential lead WR if Alec Pierce unavailable; averaged just 6.4 yards per target in 2025, which did not particularly impress. Described as crafty route-runner who will find soft spots in zone coverage.

Remained limited on Thursday injury report as he works back to 100% from heel injury. Head coach Shane Steichen expects him to play Sunday, but if unavailable, Colts WR corps will be led by Keenan Allen and Josh Downs with Laquon Treadwell elevated to No. 3. Pierce had 9 catches for 98 yards in Colts' 38-point, 401-yard game last season, so his absence could impact Sunday's game.

Upgraded to full participation on Thursday injury report after being listed as limited on Wednesday with a hamstring injury; previously dealt with minor groin injury during training camp but returned quickly. Upgrade should quell Week 1 availability concerns.

Tyler Huntley stepped in as backup QB during Lamar Jackson's injury absence and delivered a critical playoff-race win over the Packers that kept the Ravens' postseason hopes alive.

Lamar Jackson's injuries in 2025 had a dramatic impact on Ravens fan confidence; a 1-5 start combined with injuries to Jackson and several other key players dropped fan confidence to just 9% by Week 5. Only Jackson's return to action in Week 9 could restore faith. Later, another Jackson injury in a loss to the Patriots dropped confidence to just 2%, the lowest point of the season.

Trevor Lawrence will lead the defending NFC South champion Jaguars against the Browns in Week 1; the Browns will need to fluster Lawrence into turnovers and flip field position to have a chance for an upset, as they are underdogs by more than a touchdown.

Denzel Boston is one of two incoming rookie wide receivers for the Browns in Week 1 against Jacksonville; the Browns are incorporating multiple new starters along the offensive line, so growing pains are expected early on.

KC Conception is one of two incoming rookie wide receivers for the Browns in Week 1 against Jacksonville; the Browns are incorporating multiple new starters along the offensive line, so growing pains are expected early on.

Quinshon Judkins is a talented rising sophomore who will be key to the Browns' Week 1 game plan against Jacksonville; placing too much pressure on Watson under center is likely a losing recipe, so the Browns will need to run the ball effectively with Judkins.

Shedeur Sanders was involved in a cloudy quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson for the Browns; Watson ultimately won the starting role, and the competition did little to inspire confidence for the offense heading into Week 1.

Deshaun Watson won the starting role for the Browns in Week 1 against Jacksonville, but his leash is likely shorter than any other starter in the league; a cloudy quarterback competition with Shedeur Sanders did little to inspire confidence for the offense, and the Browns are underdogs by more than a touchdown.

Rico Dowdle is expected to be part of the Steelers' run game strategy in Week 1 against the Falcons; the Steelers should attempt to establish a strong run game with Jaylen Warren and Dowdle to open up opportunities for explosive passing plays against a vulnerable Falcons' defense.

Jaylen Warren is expected to be part of the Steelers' run game strategy in Week 1 against the Falcons; the Steelers should attempt to establish a strong run game with Warren and Rico Dowdle to open up opportunities for explosive passing plays against a vulnerable Falcons' defense.

Drake London is at the center of the Falcons' offensive universe in Week 1 against the Steelers; slowing him down will be a top priority for the Steelers' defense under new coordinator Patrick Graham.

Bijan Robinson is at the center of the Falcons' offensive universe in Week 1 against the Steelers; slowing him down will be a top priority for the Steelers' defense under new coordinator Patrick Graham.

Tua Tagovailoa will open the season as the Falcons' starting signal-caller against the Steelers in Week 1; the Steelers are favored by roughly three points and are expected to bring the heat with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, forcing Tagovailoa to complete throws under pressure on the move.

Aaron Rodgers, at 42 years old, is back for one last NFL season with the Steelers under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who has a history of leading top-tier offenses with Rodgers in Green Bay; expectations for offensive improvement are legitimate in Week 1 against the Falcons.

Lamar Jackson has high expectations heading into Week 1 against the Colts after a hype-filled offseason since Declan Doyle became the Ravens' new offensive playcaller; however, some level of growing pains are expected early as the Ravens incorporate three new starters on the offensive line and a new mix of pass-catchers.

Daniel Jones is returning from a torn achilles for the Colts in Week 1 against the Ravens; the Colts' passing attack is less imposing than their run game, and the Ravens are expected to dial up pass rushes to test Jones' mobility.

Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns with almost 2,000 scrimmage yards in 2025 and will be the Colts' first big test for the Ravens' new defense under Jesse Minter and DC Anthony Weaver in Week 1; the Ravens are favored by several points on the road.

Kenny Gainwell is a capable playmaker on the Buccaneers' scoring offense that will test the Bengals' newly revamped defense in Week 1; the Buccaneers are expected to be involved in a high-scoring affair against Cincinnati.

Bucky Irving is a capable playmaker on the Buccaneers' scoring offense that will test the Bengals' newly revamped defense in Week 1; the Buccaneers are expected to be involved in a high-scoring affair against Cincinnati.

Emeka Egbuka is a capable playmaker on the Buccaneers' scoring offense that will test the Bengals' newly revamped defense in Week 1; the Buccaneers are expected to be involved in a high-scoring affair against Cincinnati.

Chris Godwin is a capable playmaker on the Buccaneers' scoring offense that will test the Bengals' newly revamped defense in Week 1; the Buccaneers are expected to be involved in a high-scoring affair against Cincinnati.

Tee Higgins is nursing an injury heading into Week 1 against Tampa Bay, creating a health question mark for the Bengals' star wide receiver duo alongside Ja'Marr Chase as Cincinnati looks to start fast with their core offensive talent.