A new Indianapolis Colts season is about to begin, and that starts with a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium. If you are looking for how to watch the game and what might happen, you've reached the right spot.
2026 could be a make-or-break season for Indy. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2020, hasn't won a playoff game since 2018, and hasn't won the AFC South since 2014. If any of that changes this season, that means something good will have happened. Let's hope.
The Ravens won't be easy. They have a new head coach hoping to prove himself, and Lamar Jackson is back. Among all the games in the first week of the season, Indy versus Baltimore will be one to watch.
- How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens in Week 1
- Colts vs. Ravens injury updates for Week 1
- Storylines to watch closely in Week 1
- What will happen?
How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens in Week 1
If you live in Indianapolis, it is easy to see the game. Just go to WTTV (CBS4), and you can catch all the action. If you don't live near Indy, your local CBS channel should carry the game unless it is blacked out due to local restrictions for some reason.
Nationally, you might need an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to view the game. New users do get a discount, and you can pay in installments.
Kickoff is set for 1 pm ET, and the broadcast crew includes Andrew Catalon doing play-by-play, Logan Ryan providing analysis, and AJ Ross reporting from the sidelines. NFL+ will carry the game locally too (and that allows for streaming on your tablet or phone as well), but not nationally. You can only watch on replay with a subscription.
Colts vs. Ravens injury updates for Week 1
Entering the game, only linebacker Austin Ajiake (hamstring) has been ruled out for the Indianapolis Colts. Some players could be limited, such as wide receiver Alec Pierce, but if that is the case, head coach Shane Steichen isn't letting fans know.
For the Baltimore Ravens, defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike won't play as he is still working his way back from a neck injury he suffered last season. He was limited to only two games in 2025.
Linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) has been ruled out as well. Wide receiver Devontez Walker is listed as questionable with a groin injury.
The Colts and Ravens will announce their inactives an hour and a half before the 1 pm ET kickoff, so check back to Horseshoe Heroes for that updated information.
Storylines to watch closely in Week 1
The key with whatever happens in Week 1 is that it doesn't mean things will stay that way for an entire season. What is slightly different for the Colts this year is that the team needs to get off to a strong start or risk being out of the playoff picture too soon. If that happens, massive organizational upheaval might occur.
Still, it will be interesting to see how well Daniel Jones is playing and moving around after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last season. Couple that with Alec Pierce's first action since ankle surgery in March, and Indy fans will be interested in just how well the offense can do.
Defensively, the team has to be better, but at least it will have cornerback Sauce Gardner beginning a season in Indy for the first time. If the defense improves, Indianapolis could shock the league and be a high seed when the postseason begins. To make things even better, shutting down quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry would imply greatness for the Colts in the future.
What will happen?
The Colts are a nearly impossible read at this point. The team began 7-1 last season before finishing 8-9. Anyone claiming that they know what will happen with Indianapolis in 2026 is not telling the truth. The positive is that the team could exceed what many national pundits think of them.
The guess here is that the Colts offense starts extremely fast and gets out to a 21-7 lead before the Ravens mount a comeback. In a tight second half, kicker Spencer Shrader will prove that Indy choosing him as the kicker was wise, and he will make a 58-yard field goal to win the game 31-30. Daniel Jones will pass for 311 yards, and Jonathan Taylor will run for 86.
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