Four Downs: Big Expectations Right Away for Minter’s Defense

First Down: Defense Has Expectations

There is only so much you can carry over from the preseason. The one idea that I kept returning to in those meaningless games was this: If backups and bubble players to make the roster can do this well defensively, what can the star-filled starting lineup do? The Ravens were always going to have high expectations for the defense. Not only is it embedded into the DNA of the franchise but this expectation comes with Jesse Minter becoming the head coach. Minter got the job because of his reputation for aggressive defenses that fly together to the football with great communication and coordination. Add Anthony Weaver as the defensive coordinator, and you have a defense that should be as ready as any unit in the league. It should look like old school Ravens football, but as organized as it ever has been in a season opener.

The Ravens defense has star power. Nnamdi Madubuike (listed as limited so far on the latest injury report) and Trey Hendrickson up front. Roquan Smith in the second level. Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey are as battle tested and proven as defensive backs ever get in the NFL. Jaylinn Hawkins has a chance to join this group as a difference maker at the safety spot opposite of Hamilton. Last season, the Ravens had the talent, but Zach Orr’s lack of a magic touch meant a lack of control to the chaos. The biggest thing Ravens fans are looking for in this game is a return to trusting the defense and the confirmation that the lofty preseason praise of a better, smarter defense will come into fruition in the games that count.

The Colts offense is in trouble. It is going to need a big day from Jonathan Taylor. That’s the key for the Colts. The good news for them is that Taylor has had big games in the past against the Ravens. The bad news is that the Ravens defensive line should be ready to play with or without Madubuike. The second the Colts become one dimensional in this game, the pass rush comes out to play and the secondary stars begin to shine. While I expect some rust and kinks worked out for both offenses, I think the defense is going to be ahead of the game. Getting the level of discipline, structure, and communication from the forgotten souls of preseason football that the Ravens managed to get is like herding cats away from the world’s most potent catnip. With the caveat that you can only glean so much from preseason play, I’m buying the Ravens knowing what they’re doing defensively. I don’t see an opening week shutout, but I wouldn’t bet on the over. The Colts will be limited to just two scores.

Second Down: Which DJ Will The Ravens See?

Daniel Jones is reportedly ready to go for the Colts. There is a certain amount of sportsman credit one must bestow upon his return from such a devastating injury in the back half of last season. Jones was having a resurgence of his career that earned him the nickname “Indiana Jones.” Coming back from an Achilles always leaves questions to be answered. Will Jones be a willing runner? Is that part of his game intact, or will he be a more stationary and quick-fire-conscious quarterback? Will he be the Daniel Jones that the Giants couldn’t wait to part from despite investing the proverbial pretty penny on his contract; or is he the quarterback that made the Colts the surprise team of the season before his injury?

The one thing Jones has always been is prone to the dumb throw. Even in his 13-game run with the Colts in 2025, he had eight interceptions. Last year, he had two games with multiple interceptions (two against the Rams, three against the Steelers). When Jones is having one of those turnover slot machine kind of games, there is big opportunity.

Even at his best, Jones pales in comparison to Lamar Jackson. While it is reasonable to expect more kinks needing to be worked out for the Baltimore offense, Jones has a lot of pressure to put up points and protect the football. This will not be a game that is won easy (unless Jones wills it to be with interceptions that plague even the best version of himself).

Third Down: Jackson Starts Meeting The New Cast And Crew

The Ravens have Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman. We know that. What the Ravens may display in this game is what the football world doesn’t know yet. Ja’Kobi Lane looked like a seasoned pro playing his first ever preseason games. It would not be surprising to see Matthew Hibner get some action at tight end. There’s more new pieces to the offense than there normally is at the start of a Ravens season. We will inevitably see how much of these new pieces fit into the puzzle right away.

While it is reasonable to expect Flowers and Andrews to get theirs, don’t think that Jackson’s weapons are limited to only his regulars. The entire point of hiring Declan Doyle is to emulate the Ben Johnson offensive philosophy that started in Detroit, and carried over seamlessly to Caleb Williams’s Chicago Bears. That style of offense attacks the whole field. You can’t ask the defense to cover the entire field left, right, up, and down if you aren’t asking them to cover a long list of targets.

Expect Jackson to spread the ball around and get six or seven different players hands on his passes.

Fourth Down: Expect A Big Henry Game

If there is one thing that Jesse Minter is very aware of is the vitriol that John Harbaugh received for not using Derrick Henry when it mattered. If the Ravens defense does its job, the Ravens will always feel in command of this game. Henry will be asked to carry the football as the Ravens attempt to put this one away in the second half with a lead. It also seems like Henry, who is part of the player leadership team, is almost desperate to sprint away from the feeling of last season. That one thing Coach Minter is aware of is something that everyone is aware of, and it weighs heaviest on Henry.

The four downs (if you’re keeping score at home) all add up. The defense should do well. Daniel Jones is going to need the best version of himself, and could still be in a bad spot. Lamar Jackson should be able to get a lot of Ravens involved and put up enough points to put the Colts in a state of chasing from behind. Derrick Henry will be needed to do what he does best: put games away with punishing runs.

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