The Baltimore Ravens opened the 2026 NFL regular season with a commanding 41–23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13, 2026. ESPN lists the game as September 13 on its U.S. and UK game pages, while some international ESPN displays may show September 14 because of time-zone differences. Baltimore produced 506 total yards and scored 41 points, giving new head coach Jesse Minter a winning debut.
The Ravens built their victory around explosive passing, Derrick Henry’s dominant rushing performance, and several important defensive turnovers. Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and added a rushing touchdown, while Henry scored three times on the ground. Zay Flowers also produced 150 receiving yards and a touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury. Indianapolis managed 251 total yards, with Jonathan Taylor scoring twice, but the Colts could not keep pace after Baltimore took control.
Final Score
Indianapolis struck first when Jonathan Taylor scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Baltimore answered with Jackson’s five-yard rushing touchdown and Henry’s four-yard score. The Ravens then created separation when Jackson connected with Flowers for a 54-yard touchdown. Henry added another 32-yard touchdown run before halftime, helping Baltimore take a 31–13 lead into the break.
The Colts managed to score in the second half, but Baltimore remained firmly in control. Henry completed his three-touchdown performance with a three-yard score in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis added a late touchdown from Daniel Jones to Tyler Warren and a field goal, but those points could not erase the Ravens’ substantial advantage.
Final Score Table
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 14 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 41 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
Match Details Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts |
| Official Date | September 13, 2026 |
| ESPN International Date | September 14, 2026 in some regions |
| Venue | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Final Score | Ravens 41, Colts 23 |
| Winner | Baltimore Ravens |
| Ravens Record | 1–0 |
| Colts Record | 0–1 |
| Ravens Passing Leader | Lamar Jackson |
| Ravens Rushing Leader | Derrick Henry |
| Ravens Receiving Leader | Zay Flowers |
| Colts Passing Leader | Daniel Jones |
| Colts Rushing Leader | Jonathan Taylor |
Lamar Jackson’s Passing Performance
Lamar Jackson delivered an outstanding season-opening performance, completing 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown without an interception. His 12.96 yards per completion showed how effectively Baltimore attacked Indianapolis downfield. Jackson also rushed seven times for 40 yards and scored once, making him a constant threat for the Colts defense.
Jackson’s performance became particularly important because Baltimore generated explosive plays throughout the afternoon. His 54-yard touchdown connection with Flowers was one of the game’s biggest offensive plays. Jackson also repeatedly extended drives with his legs, allowing Baltimore to maintain pressure even when Indianapolis managed to slow the running game for short stretches.
Ravens Passing Stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | 17/25 | 324 | 1 | 0 |
Derrick Henry Dominates on the Ground
Derrick Henry was arguably Baltimore’s most decisive offensive player. He carried the ball 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns, averaging six yards per attempt. His longest run covered 32 yards, and each touchdown helped Baltimore maintain or extend its control over the game.
Henry’s performance also carried historical significance. His three rushing touchdowns moved him past Marcus Allen and into third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdown list. His production forced Indianapolis to respect Baltimore’s running game, which created additional opportunities for Jackson and the passing attack.
Ravens Rushing Leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Henry | 24 | 144 | 3 | 32 |
| Lamar Jackson | 7 | 40 | 1 | 19 |
| Justice Hill | 6 | 18 | 0 | 7 |
Zay Flowers Produces a Huge Receiving Game
Zay Flowers exploded for five receptions, 150 yards and one touchdown, averaging an incredible 30 yards per catch. His 54-yard touchdown from Jackson was one of Baltimore’s biggest plays and helped establish the Ravens’ offensive dominance. Flowers also produced a 49-yard reception that set up another scoring opportunity.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, Flowers did not finish the game. He suffered a hamstring injury after a reception late in the second quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. His injury became one of the major concerns surrounding the Ravens after an otherwise outstanding opening-day performance.
Ravens Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zay Flowers | 5 | 150 | 1 | 54 |
| Chris Moore | 1 | 53 | 0 | 53 |
| Mark Andrews | 4 | 49 | 0 | 17 |
Daniel Jones and the Colts Passing Game
Daniel Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His return to regular-season action after recovering from an Achilles injury marked an important personal milestone, but the Ravens defense made his comeback difficult. Jones was also sacked twice as Baltimore consistently pressured him.
Jones found Tyler Warren for a nine-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving Indianapolis another opportunity to reduce the deficit. However, the Colts could not generate enough consistent passing production earlier in the game. Baltimore’s defense limited explosive completions and forced Indianapolis into difficult down-and-distance situations.
Colts Passing Stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Jones | 19/31 | 166 | 1 | 1 |
Jonathan Taylor Leads Indianapolis
Jonathan Taylor provided the Colts with their strongest rushing performance. He carried the ball 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. Taylor scored Indianapolis’ first touchdown and later added another three-yard rushing score in the second quarter.
Taylor’s production showed that Indianapolis could move the football on the ground, but the Colts needed more balance from the passing game. Baltimore’s ability to build a large lead forced Indianapolis to throw more frequently, while the Ravens could continue using Henry and Jackson to control the clock and field position.
Colts Rushing Leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Taylor | 19 | 98 | 2 | 21 |
| Daniel Jones | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
Colts Receiving Statistics
Alec Pierce led Indianapolis with four receptions for 61 yards, including a 23-yard gain. Josh Downs added two catches for 37 yards, while Keenan Allen caught six passes for 32 yards. Although Allen led the Colts in receptions, Indianapolis lacked the explosive passing production that Baltimore generated throughout the contest.
The Colts’ receiving numbers illustrate one of the game’s biggest differences. Baltimore consistently created large chunks of yardage through Flowers and Jackson, while Indianapolis relied more heavily on shorter completions. That difference became increasingly important once the Ravens established their two-score advantage.
Colts Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alec Pierce | 4 | 61 | 0 | 23 |
| Josh Downs | 2 | 37 | 0 | 25 |
| Keenan Allen | 6 | 32 | 0 | 9 |
| Tyler Warren | — | — | 1 | 9 |
Team Statistics Comparison
Baltimore dominated the overall offensive numbers. The Ravens generated 506 total yards, compared with just 251 for Indianapolis. Baltimore also ran 64 offensive plays and averaged 7.9 yards per play. The Colts ran 53 plays and averaged 4.7 yards per play. That efficiency gap explains much of the 18-point difference on the scoreboard.
The Ravens also controlled possession for 35:20, compared with 24:40 for Indianapolis. Baltimore committed one turnover while the Colts committed two. The Ravens did, however, commit 10 penalties for 86 yards, showing that their dominant performance still included an area that the coaching staff will want to improve.
Team Comparison Table
| Statistic | Ravens | Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 506 | 251 |
| Yards per Play | 7.9 | 4.7 |
| Plays | 64 | 53 |
| Rushes | 37 | 20 |
| Time of Possession | 35:20 | 24:40 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 10 | 4 |
| Penalty Yards | 86 | 29 |
Key Moments and Turning Points
The biggest offensive turning point came in the second quarter. Baltimore scored repeatedly after Indianapolis had initially kept the game competitive. Flowers’ 54-yard touchdown gave the Ravens a major spark, while Henry’s 32-yard touchdown run extended the lead. Baltimore entered halftime ahead 31–13 and had already established control over the matchup.
The Ravens then protected their advantage during the second half. Indianapolis scored 10 points after halftime, but Baltimore answered with another Henry touchdown and a late field goal. Defensive turnovers also helped Baltimore prevent Indianapolis from creating a sustained comeback. By the final quarter, the Ravens had enough separation to manage the clock and close out the 41–23 victory.
Injuries and Defensive Impact
Flowers’ hamstring injury was the most significant injury concern for Baltimore. He had already recorded 150 yards before leaving, making his absence especially noticeable during the second half. Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane also left with a wrist injury, while cornerback T.J. Tampa exited with a knee issue.
Baltimore’s defense also produced several important plays. Roquan Smith recorded an interception, while Marlon Humphrey forced a fumble. The Ravens held Indianapolis to 251 total yards and prevented the Colts from sustaining enough drives to challenge the lead. Their defensive pressure became especially important whenever Indianapolis threatened to score.
Final Match Summary
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Indianapolis Colts 41–23 in their 2026 season opener. Lamar Jackson passed for 324 yards and a touchdown, while Derrick Henry delivered 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Zay Flowers added 150 receiving yards and a touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury. Baltimore’s 506 total yards demonstrated how effectively the Ravens moved the football against Indianapolis.
The Colts received strong individual performances from Jonathan Taylor, who scored twice and rushed for 98 yards, but Daniel Jones struggled to match Jackson’s efficiency. Indianapolis finished with only 251 total yards and committed two turnovers. Baltimore’s combination of explosive offense, efficient quarterback play and timely defense produced a convincing Week 1 victory and gave the Ravens a 1–0 start.
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