Bold Predictions: Will Jesse Minter Era Start with a W?

The long wait is over, and the Ravens will finally once again take the field in anger, as they travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in Week 1.

What will we see as the Jesse Minter era kicks off?

Our staff give their best prognostications below…

Darin McCann

This shapes us to be a tougher match-up than a lot of people expect — though that does largely hinge on the health of Colts quarterback Daniel Jones — specifically, his Achilles tendon.

Before his injury last year, the Colts’ offense was humming, with Jones and Taylor forming a tough one-two combination behind a very good offensive line, and aided by an interesting and effective slate of receiving targets. Jones then got hurt, the Colts fell apart and their season disappeared into that sweet night. So, while I believe the Ravens are the better team here, don’t be particularly surprised if the Colts offense has some moments on Sunday, as well — even with what we all feel will be a much-improved Ravens defense.

Here are some predictions:

• Derrick Henry won’t have an easy time of it down-to-down, but he will snap off two runs of more than 20 yards and end up with over 80 on the ground.
• Lamar Jackson finds a good early rhythm, and hits a few daggers downfield off play action. He’ll have more than 325 total yards on the day.
• Trey Hendrickson starts his Ravens’ career with 1.5 sacks, splitting one with Mike Green on a play that will have Ravens fans smiling upon witnessing a true pocket collapse from a four-man rush.
• Malaki Starks begins his Pro Bowl campaign with a pick and seven tackles.

Ravens 26 Colts 23

Rob Shields

This is a tricky opening week game. There is a new staff and new offense. And while they got a lot of playing together in camp and joint practices, the offense didn’t get real snaps in together.

Indy is a decent team. They aren’t likely going to make the playoffs but they should win 6-9 games. They are led by Jonathan Taylor, one of the best RBs in football. Daniel Jones is coming back from an Achilles injury, so we will see how mobile he is early. His legs are usually his best weapon.  He will have his best WR, Alec Pierce, available to throw to.  Pierce had been questionable for this game but he’s ready to go. Pierce is a big deep threat, so the Ravens will have to game plan for that.

Defensively they are led by Sauce Gardner but they were the second to worst pass defense in the league last year. They were 7th against the run and 21st in PPG allowed.

Last year, they looked like one of the best teams in the league for the first 10 games. They went 8-2…and then ended the year losing seven in a row.

I thank the losing streak continues but I don’t think it will be easy. I think Lamar uses his legs a little more than we saw last year and I think we see a lot of Derrick Henry early and then Lamar starts to pass more as the game goes on.

I think it’s a close game for most of the way and the Ravens pull away late.

Ravens 27 Colts 16

John Hughey

The new era of Ravens football is officially here. I’m not expecting much from the Ravens in the early parts of the season, as players become accustomed to the new systems implemented during camp. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not expecting a team with the talent the Ravens have, not to start the new season 1-0

— Ja’Kobi Lane’s camp performance gets rewarded, as he hauls in Jackson’s first TD pass of 2026.

— Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry carry the workloads for their offenses, combining for 35+ carries and 150+ rushing yards.

— Ravens get into a tight one during the 4th quarter, and show why they invested in Hendrickson, as he records his first sack in Baltimore.

Ravens 24 Colts 20

Jared Pinder

The first chapter in a new book of Ravens History is in front of us.

We have no idea how this game is going to go so I guess I have to go off what we have seen so far in camp.

— Ravens defense has a great game with the defense getting at least a pick on Jones.

— Hendrickson records his first sack of the year.

— Offense does struggle a bit to start but Lamar bounces back with two touchdowns and Henry has a touchdown as well.

Ravens 28 Colts 7 

Chris Schisler

I think the Jesse Minter era gets started off with a win. I think the Ravens defense will force two turnovers, sack Daniel Jones three times, and allow Lamar Jackson and the offense a slightly rusty start without consequence. This should not be the prettiest win, but it should be convincing. Derrick Henry will re-establish his dominance and put this game away with a dominant second half.

The Colts will get two field goals. One will be early when Indianapolis is filled with belief. The second will come in the second half when they are desperate for points but it won’t do too much for them.

Ravens 24 Colts 6

Drew Kordula

Nothing the Ravens did this offseason should give us a reason to not be optimistic going into Week 1. The coaching staff and players seem to be assimilating well and the team has been relatively healthy. Maybe I’m losing myself (see what I did there?) in the hype, but I can’t envision this team doing anything other than coming out and handling the Colts. The only spot that worries me is the secondary, but I’ll remain positive until proven otherwise.

— Lamar throws for over 200 yards and Flowers goes for close to 100 of those.

— Henry starts slow, but finishes the game with 90+ yards and a touchdown while the new-look offensive line shines in its debut.

— Vega makes a full stack of pancakes for Lamar.

We have 17 other weeks for pessimism and negativity. Give me this one on the house.

Ravens 31 Colts 13

Vermont Raven

As has been case throughout preseason, the Ravens defense remains ahead of the offense. They keep the Colts out of the end zone and allow just four field goals.

Also as has been the case, Tyler Loop struggles, going 0-for-2 on FG and missing an extra point.

Ja’Kobi Lane gets first NFL touchdown.

Derrick Henry adds a touchdown.

Lamar rushes for a TD.

Ravens 20 Colts 12

Chad Racine

Week 1 brings many questions under the new regime Ravens with a few concerns. For the most part it’s excitement from the team and the fans and there’s a lot of hope. I think the elephant in the room is the current kicking situation. No matter how many times we hear how good Loop has looked in practice, we want to see him under high pressure situations.

With Jesse Minter losing to the Colts last season and the Ravens recent struggles against them, I think he will have the team dialed in and ready.

— Lamar shows why he’s been excited all offseason with a spectacular performance: 3 touchdowns, no interceptions and 70% completion rate.

— Derrick Henry runs for 150 yards but no touchdowns.

— Ja’Kobi Lane shows that the hype is real with 3 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.

— Matt Hibner is the other rookie to score a touchdown along with fellow TE Mark Andrews.

— Ravens new look defense shines…but Jonathan Taylor still goes over 100 yards.

– Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton both end up with turnovers.

— Tyler Loop misses one kick.

Ravens 27 Colts 20

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