The Indianapolis Colts are just a couple of days away from beginning their 2026 season. The team is mostly healthy entering the season, and the defense will have cornerback Sauce Gardner in Week 1 for the first time. Indy can make noise this year.
The general assumption is that the team needs to make the playoffs (and maybe win a game once there) for general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen to keep their jobs. By the end of the season, there is a good chance that this is not a concern of theirs.
The Colts are talented enough to make the postseason and then be dangerous once they are there. Forget what many national pundits are saying negatively about Indianapolis; games are won in reality. Indy will win a lot of them this season, beginning in Week 1.
Five predictions for the Indianapolis Colts versus Baltimore Ravens in Week 1
Tight end Tyler Warren finishes with 10 catches and 140 yards
The above numbers aren't massive, necessarily, but Warren didn't reach either in his rookie season. His most productive game was in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons when he caught eight passes for 99 yards. He was very good last year, and he will be better in year two.
Week 1 should be the start of a trend that lasts all season. Alec Pierce is the new WR1, and he will get his looks, but Warren will see even more targets. He will be both a safe checkdown for Daniel Jones and able to beat his defender deep. This season, Warren will turn into an All-Pro.
Edge rusher Laiatu Latu has three sacks
While Indy's emerging edge rusher hasn't had three sacks in a game so far, he came awfully close in Week 9 last year when he had 2.5 sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his second season, Latu had 8.5 total sacks, easily leading the team. By beginning with three sacks in 2026, he will start a trek that has him getting 13 by the end.
If Latu were taking down a normal quarterback, three sacks would be impressive, of course, but not astonishing. Chasing down Lamar Jackson that many times will prove to the rest of the NFL that Latu is about to have a breakout season and be one of the best edge rushers in the league.
Kicker Spencer Shrader will miss three of four field goal attempts
The Indianapolis Colts took a risk in choosing Shrader to be the team's kicker over Blake Grupe. It was seemingly a wise move, though. While Grupe was better in practice, Shrader was better in the preseason games. He was also impressive from beyond 50 yards, something he couldn't seem to do last year when he was the kicker until getting hurt in Week 5.
Unfortunately, Shrader will have a terrible start to the season. The positive part is that the team will stick with him, and for much of the rest of the season, he will be fine, just as he was in the first part of last season.
Running back Seth McGowan outgains Derrick Henry
Henry is a fantastic back, of course, and this is by no means meant to be disrespectful to him. The truth is that if Lou Anarumo's defense plays correctly, it should be able to slow the run effectively. Henry will still have 50 yards on the ground, but will not be massively impactful in Week 1.
He will be outrushed by two different Colts backs. Jonathan Taylor will have over 100 yards rushing, but the game won't be close by the third quarter, and that is when McGowan will enter the game. He will get carries in the first half, but the majority of them in the second half. He will finish with 83 yards rushing and a touchdown.
The Indianapolis Colts blowout the Baltimore Ravens
For Indianapolis, Week 1 will be the first half of 2025 all over again. Baltimore is going to be an improved team with better health in 2026, but the Colts will show what last year could have been had they been healthier, too.
Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce will be fine, but won't have to do too much. Indy will return a kick for a touchdown early in the game and force enough turnovers that, by midway through the third quarter, Indianapolis leads by more than 20 points. Those going to Lucas Oil Stadium for the 1 pm ET kickoff will leave with smiles on their faces.
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