No matter what the Indianapolis Colts did in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, a win or a loss, the outcome likely wasn't going to be indicative of the rest of the season. Still, losing in ugly fashion, 41-23, is no good for anyone.
Those who didn't see the game might think that it was more competitive than it was. It wasn't. The Colts were soundly beaten by a team that has some real questions regarding depth. Playing at home in Week 1 should have had the team energized, but they didn't look ready for success.
The positive is that what happens in the first game of the season doesn't imply anything moving forward. While Indianapolis looked poor, especially defensively, that doesn't mean they won't look completely different in Week 2. Or they might. Who knows?
Instant reactions from the Indianapolis Colts versus Baltimore Ravens in Week 1
The team might need to beg Kenny Moore to come back
In the first quarter, playing his first NFL regular season downs, Justin Walley was just abused by wide receiver Zay Flowers. The wideout had 150 receiving yards in the first half. Flowers even entered the game with a slight hamstring injury, and he was taken out of the game before halftime.
Walley received the nickelback spot after veteran Kenny Moore asked to be released. Lou Anarumo's defense diminishes the slot corner spot in his scheme, and Moore saw fewer reps in 2025, but any reps he would get in 2026 would be better than what Walley delivered in Week 1.
Speaking of the defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo is overrated
It is one thing for Lamar Jackson to be 9-1 against an Anarumo defense, but Indianapolis's defensive coordinator has been historically mediocre statistically. He has had one defense in eight previous seasons as a DC (one with the Miami Dolphins, six with the Cincinnati Bengals, and one in Indy) rank in the top half of the league in terms of points and yards allowed.
He is obviously well-liked among his peers, as he keeps getting defensive coordinator jobs and even some head coach interest, but his lack of success doesn't support his job title. The defense looked lost against Baltimore and didn't have a good game plan entering the game.
Shane Steichen was out-prepared by a first-time head coach
Speaking of game-planning, the issue entering the game was supposed to be Baltimore's offense against Anarumo, but the Ravens' defense also overwhelmed quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense. Jones had a bad interception, but he wasn't the problem; he had no time to throw.
Whatever Steichen tried to do, he was being outmaneuvered by the Ravens' Jesse Minter, who was in his first game as a head coach. Steichen should be embarrassed, but he likely will face a harsher fate: Being fired before or at the end of the season.
If Zay Flowers hadn't played, Indianapolis might have had a chance
The game changed after Flowers left the game with his hamstring injury. Baltimore's offense was inefficient and unproductive. Maybe the game was so one-sided that the Ravens didn't feel pressed to be overly creative offensively, but that doesn't seem fair to Indianapolis. Still, had Flowers stayed available, Baltimore probably would have scored two more touchdowns.
The Colts showed team pride by not giving up
The game was over pretty early, and the Indianapolis Colts home crowd rightfully voiced their disappointment. The team could still find a way of battling for a playoff spot because this was only Week 1, but the Colts looked, well...bad. The team tried to fight back a bit and cut the score to 31-16 in the third quarter, but the outcome was sealed.
2027 is going to look different for the Indianapolis Colts
Let's be real, though. As flat as Indy was in what should be a make-or-break season for many involved in the organization, the "sense of urgency" that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon spoke of all offseason was nowhere to be found. Indianapolis doesn't look like a playoff team. They look like one who won't win half their games again.
Does the ownership group have the strength to move on from general manager Chris Ballard and coach Steichen? That remains to be seen, of course, but many fans appear ready for the changes.
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