All that talk of the Indianapolis Colts needing a sense of urgency in 2026 seems empty after the Baltimore Ravens came to Lucas Oil Stadium and placed a beatdown on Indy 41-23 in Week 1. No matter how one might try to spin anything positively for head coach Shane Steichen's team, the game was an embarrassment.
Still, there is a positive: One game does not make a season. Indianapolis could find a way to travel to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, steal a win, and everyone would feel better about the team.
That appears unlikely based on what was seen from Steichen's team to open the season, though. At least two players were, well...decent.
Winners and losers from the Indianapolis Colts' ugly Week 1 loss to the Ravens
Loser: Linebacker CJ Allen
Allen, of course, has the entire season and what follows to prove he was worthy of being a second-round selection, but he definitely didn't make an immediate impact in his first game. To be more precise, he made zero impact. Why? Because he didn't play.
Being invisible in one's first game is fine for a sixth-round choice, but not a high-rounder. Compare that to Allen's fellow rookie, Bryce Boettcher, who had seven tackles. Allen has looked less like the green dot many hoped he would be in his first year than someone who needs to ride the bench.
Indy said that he didn't play because he is still getting into football shape, but that doesn't make much sense. He played in the preseason.
Winner: Running back Jonathan Taylor
Taylor did have a fumble in the first half, and that can't go without being mentioned. While Indianapolis was being snowed under early, Taylor's mistake didn't help. Yet, he was still the Colts' best offensive player with 98 yards rushing. He was quick and elusive, and had he had a better team around him, he would have looked terrific.
Instead, Taylor might be regretting signing an extension this offseason. If the season plays out like Week 1, Taylor will be attached to a sinking team for the next four years.
Loser: Cornerback Justin Walley
Oof. What a debut. Walley was awful. Zay Flowers abused him even though the wide receiver had a hamstring issue and didn't play after halftime. The Indianapolis Colts might be wishing Kenny Moore was still on the roster.
Five passes were thrown Walley's way and all were completed. He allowed 93 yards receiving and 38 of them came after the catch. Sure, it was his first NFL game, but Indy can't afford for Walley not to be much better beginning in Week 2.
Winner: Edge rusher Arden Key
Key's debut wasn't a bad one, but it was simply covered up by most of the rest of the defense performing atrociously. The free-agent acquisition had three total pressures, including half-a-sack, and three run stuffs. He played winning football, if hardly any other Colts player did.
Was he motivated by joining his new team, or is he a good fit in Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme? The rest of the season will tell, of course, but at least Key was promising.
Loser: Tight end Tyler Warren
Warren is going to get his targets the rest of the season, and he was third on the team in targets in Week 1, but he didn't accomplish anything with those targets. He caught three passes for just 13 yards. One of those was a touchdown, at least, but he has to do more overall.
Warren was very good last season as a rookie, but he faded in the second half of the season. Does Shane Steichen truly know how to use Warren well? Fans might still be waiting for the answer.
Loser: Linebacker Jaylon Carlies
The Week 1 starter played on 42 snaps and somehow managed to not record a tackle. He didn't miss one, either. In other words, he was never around the ball enough, even on those 42 snaps, to be effective.
He did have two quarterback pressures, but no sacks. He allowed one completion on two targets, but he didn't make the tackle after the catch. But how bad must CJ Allen be that Indianapolis could watch Carlies play and still not give Allen a chance?
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