Baltimore opens the 2026 season with an explosive offensive performance as Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers overwhelm Indianapolis.

The Baltimore Ravens couldn’t have asked for a much stronger start to the 2026 NFL season.

Baltimore went into Indianapolis and defeated the Colts 41-23, opening the Jesse Minter era with an impressive road victory and offering an early glimpse of just how dangerous this Ravens offense could be.

The Ravens finished with 506 total yards, compared with only 251 for Indianapolis. Baltimore averaged 7.9 yards per play and had already built a commanding 31-13 halftime lead.

At the center of it all was Lamar Jackson.

Lamar Jackson Starts Fast

Jackson looked comfortable and explosive in Baltimore’s revamped offense, completing 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception.

He also added 40 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Indianapolis the same problem defenses have faced throughout Jackson’s career: even when the passing game is clicking, defenses still have to account for him taking off with the football.

Jackson’s biggest passing play came when he connected with Zay Flowers for a 54-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The play helped Baltimore take control of a game that quickly started getting away from Indianapolis.

Derrick Henry Runs Wild

Then there was Derrick Henry.

Henry carried the ball 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry.

His biggest run came in the second quarter when he broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown, extending Baltimore’s lead to 28-6.

Even at this stage of his career, Henry continues to show why Baltimore’s combination of Jackson and Henry can be so difficult to defend. Commit too much attention to Jackson and Henry can punish a defense between the tackles. Load the box against Henry and Baltimore can attack downfield.

Henry’s performance also carried historical significance, moving him past Marcus Allen into third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing-touchdown list.

For a Ravens team with championship expectations, having Henry produce at this level could be one of the biggest factors in determining how far Baltimore goes this season.

Zay Flowers Explodes — Then Leaves With Injury

Perhaps the most impressive individual performance of the afternoon belonged to Zay Flowers.

Flowers caught only five passes, but those receptions produced an incredible 150 yards and one touchdown.

That’s an average of 30 yards per reception.

His 54-yard touchdown showed exactly what Baltimore hopes Flowers can consistently provide: an explosive receiver capable of changing a game with one play.

Unfortunately, Flowers’ afternoon ended early.

He left the game with a hamstring injury during the second quarter and did not return.

That immediately becomes one of Baltimore’s biggest stories heading into Week 2.

The Ravens also saw rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane leave with a wrist injury and cornerback T.J. Tampa exit with a knee injury.

Baltimore got the victory it wanted, but the health of Flowers — and the rest of the injured Ravens — will be closely watched throughout the week.

Baltimore’s Defense Did Its Job

Indianapolis had some early success behind Jonathan Taylor, but Baltimore’s defense eventually settled in.

Taylor finished with 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Daniel Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Indianapolis managed only 251 total yards.

Baltimore’s defense also generated pressure on Jones, recording two sacks and 10 quarterback hits.

For Minter, a defensive-minded head coach, there will undoubtedly be areas he wants cleaned up. But holding an opponent to 251 yards while Baltimore’s offense puts up more than 500 is a formula that will win a lot of football games.

One Problem Baltimore Needs to Fix

Despite the lopsided score, the Ravens weren’t perfect.

Baltimore committed 10 penalties for 86 yards.

Those mistakes didn’t cost the Ravens against Indianapolis, but they could become much more significant against stronger opponents and in tighter games.

That’s the kind of issue Baltimore can address while enjoying the luxury of starting the season 1-0.

The Jesse Minter Era Begins With a Statement

This game carried more significance than a typical season opener.

After the Ravens finished 8-9 in 2025, Baltimore entered 2026 with a new head coach and new coordinators. There were legitimate questions about how quickly everything would come together.

At least for one afternoon, the answer was: very quickly.

Jackson still looks like one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in football.

Henry still looks capable of taking over games.

Flowers looked like a legitimate No. 1 receiving threat before suffering the hamstring injury.

And Baltimore’s defense limited Indianapolis to roughly half the offensive production generated by the Ravens.

It’s only Week 1, so nobody in Baltimore should be planning a parade just yet.

But this was exactly the type of performance the Ravens needed.

Baltimore didn’t simply survive its opener. The Ravens went on the road, scored 41 points, accumulated more than 500 yards of offense and controlled Indianapolis for most of the afternoon.

That’s a statement.

The bigger question now becomes whether Baltimore can sustain it — and whether Flowers’ injury will affect one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.

For the Ravens, the road back to the postseason has officially begun.

And the Jesse Minter era is 1-0.

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 41, Indianapolis Colts 23

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